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A Heart 2 Heart With Jim
Hello, friends and family. As many of you know, I had a heart transplant on August 15, 2014 at the amazing Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Up until several months ago I was doing as well as could be, all doctor’s appointments and tests were nearly perfect. I returned to work after my 3-month recovery period in Los Angeles (a Cedars-Sinai requirement), and was eating and exercising with no symptoms of heart rejection. A return to “normal” life was great! I was extremely grateful to my friends and family for all of their support through that difficult time, and for the opportunity to continue a healthy life.
Unfortunately, my new heart recently began to show signs of rejection, which include frequent nausea, not being able to walk even short distances due to accumulated fluid in my lungs and stomach, and constant fatigue. Including my current stay at Cedars, I’ve been hospitalized three times since Christmas Eve, with my stays extending from two weeks, to the month I’ve been here currently. Doctors have tried their best over this period to fight the rejection, kill the antibodies that are causing my body to produce these symptoms, but the heart is much too damaged to repair at this point. To my surprise, the only solution now is a 2nd transplant. I’ve been listed at the 1A status (top priority) by the hospital, which I’m very thankful for, and I appreciate all of your kind words of love and support since I’ve been here. Talk about déjà vu!
During my first transplant, my health insurance provided a stipend especially for transplant patients that covered most of my living expenses for the 3-month recovery period here in L.A. That money along with financial help from my family and friends was enough to cover my post-transplant expenses. My current insurance does not include that stipend, which is making it difficult to put together the funds to assist me this go-round. I went on state disability a few months back, which does not come close to covering my rent and living expenses during my post-op care.
At this point in my life, I would like to provide for my own medical expense. However, over the last year I’ve been unable to work. Reluctantly, I am reaching out to you for whatever financial assistance you could provide. Any amount you give would help with my recovery. Thank you for listening to my story!
Your friend,
Jim Kuhn
Hello, friends and family. As many of you know, I had a heart transplant on August 15, 2014 at the amazing Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Up until several months ago I was doing as well as could be, all doctor’s appointments and tests were nearly perfect. I returned to work after my 3-month recovery period in Los Angeles (a Cedars-Sinai requirement), and was eating and exercising with no symptoms of heart rejection. A return to “normal” life was great! I was extremely grateful to my friends and family for all of their support through that difficult time, and for the opportunity to continue a healthy life.
Unfortunately, my new heart recently began to show signs of rejection, which include frequent nausea, not being able to walk even short distances due to accumulated fluid in my lungs and stomach, and constant fatigue. Including my current stay at Cedars, I’ve been hospitalized three times since Christmas Eve, with my stays extending from two weeks, to the month I’ve been here currently. Doctors have tried their best over this period to fight the rejection, kill the antibodies that are causing my body to produce these symptoms, but the heart is much too damaged to repair at this point. To my surprise, the only solution now is a 2nd transplant. I’ve been listed at the 1A status (top priority) by the hospital, which I’m very thankful for, and I appreciate all of your kind words of love and support since I’ve been here. Talk about déjà vu!
During my first transplant, my health insurance provided a stipend especially for transplant patients that covered most of my living expenses for the 3-month recovery period here in L.A. That money along with financial help from my family and friends was enough to cover my post-transplant expenses. My current insurance does not include that stipend, which is making it difficult to put together the funds to assist me this go-round. I went on state disability a few months back, which does not come close to covering my rent and living expenses during my post-op care.
At this point in my life, I would like to provide for my own medical expense. However, over the last year I’ve been unable to work. Reluctantly, I am reaching out to you for whatever financial assistance you could provide. Any amount you give would help with my recovery. Thank you for listening to my story!
Your friend,
Jim Kuhn