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Tim has had heart trouble since the seventh grade which doctors suspect was a result of a virus contracted while living in the jungles of New Guinea with his missionary parents when he was small.
This resulted in his first heart attack at age 21 and a pacemaker implant at age 41. Tim has worked as a tattoo artist and owned his own shop, Tiny Tim's Tattoos, in the Skagit Valley for over 30 years. Despite the health challenges, his artistry and tattoo work just keeps getting better. He also coaches 4H archery every week and has spent time tutoring underprivileged youth in the county.
Recently Tim had a severe infection in his chest caused by a kinked pacemaker wire which broke through the skin. February 5th he was hospitalized for five days at the University of Washington for an emergency pacemaker removal which, in the surgeon's own words, was a 'nightmare surgery that took every tool she had in her arsenal' and twice as long to complete as she expected.
Tim is currently wearing a 'life vest' and awaiting placement of his fifth pacemaker on March 4. Without the pacemaker, his energy is low and normal every day activity can be exhausting. This morning the defibrillator in the vest charged three separate times to shock him and correct his heart rhythms. Even after that emotionally and physically exhausting morning, he is still tattooing as I write this and inked a beautiful piece for a walk-in client earlier today.
Total time off work from both surgeries and recoveries will be 5-6 weeks. The loss of income from time off has been very concerning to him and the potential medical bills are intimidating. Tim has insurance, but his share of the costs are expected to be astronomical and he is still paying off medical bills from his previous hospital stays.
Tim continues to work even when his body is telling him to rest, and even when his life vest continues to alert him that his heart rhythym is abnormal. At this point financially he cannot take the time off that he needs for his body to heal.
Tim has been an active member of many local communities and is always willing to volunteer and help out when needed. He is also a great support to all of his friends and family. We are looking to get support for Tim to cover the costs of running his tattoo shop, and his day to day life (rent, food, utilities)for the next couple of months so that he can spend this time healing and get back to doing the things he loves.
Thank you all for your support. Anything helps!
This resulted in his first heart attack at age 21 and a pacemaker implant at age 41. Tim has worked as a tattoo artist and owned his own shop, Tiny Tim's Tattoos, in the Skagit Valley for over 30 years. Despite the health challenges, his artistry and tattoo work just keeps getting better. He also coaches 4H archery every week and has spent time tutoring underprivileged youth in the county.
Recently Tim had a severe infection in his chest caused by a kinked pacemaker wire which broke through the skin. February 5th he was hospitalized for five days at the University of Washington for an emergency pacemaker removal which, in the surgeon's own words, was a 'nightmare surgery that took every tool she had in her arsenal' and twice as long to complete as she expected.
Tim is currently wearing a 'life vest' and awaiting placement of his fifth pacemaker on March 4. Without the pacemaker, his energy is low and normal every day activity can be exhausting. This morning the defibrillator in the vest charged three separate times to shock him and correct his heart rhythms. Even after that emotionally and physically exhausting morning, he is still tattooing as I write this and inked a beautiful piece for a walk-in client earlier today.
Total time off work from both surgeries and recoveries will be 5-6 weeks. The loss of income from time off has been very concerning to him and the potential medical bills are intimidating. Tim has insurance, but his share of the costs are expected to be astronomical and he is still paying off medical bills from his previous hospital stays.
Tim continues to work even when his body is telling him to rest, and even when his life vest continues to alert him that his heart rhythym is abnormal. At this point financially he cannot take the time off that he needs for his body to heal.
Tim has been an active member of many local communities and is always willing to volunteer and help out when needed. He is also a great support to all of his friends and family. We are looking to get support for Tim to cover the costs of running his tattoo shop, and his day to day life (rent, food, utilities)for the next couple of months so that he can spend this time healing and get back to doing the things he loves.
Thank you all for your support. Anything helps!
Organizer and beneficiary
Tim Sconce
Beneficiary