A New Heart for a Hero
Donation protected
On July 28, 2019, the Eslinger’s lives were changed forever. Last Sunday, Heather came home to find Dan having a heart attack. Dan was immediately taken to the hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for congestive heart failure (CHF). Upon arrival to the ICU Dan’s heart stopped, in which he was coded, or brought back to life by the life-saving measures employed by medical professionals.
Dan’s heart was found to be functioning at only 20% of its capacity and his body was also unable to oxygenate itself properly. He was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), in which a machine-assisted technique provides cardiac and respiratory support—a very critical means of life support.
One week, multiple life-supporting modalities, and three (3) surgeries later, Dan is currently awake and alert (after two (2) to three (3) days of memory loss and slight amnesia), no longer needing the assistance of ECMO, but reliant on a temporary implanted device in the left ventricle of his heart—an Impella—that is currently doing 80% of the work of his heart in order to keep him alive.
As this device can only be kept in for a VERY short period of time (a matter of days), Dan is awaiting approval for the receipt of a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD): a surgically-implanted, battery-operated, mechanical pump that helps the left ventricle of the heart pump blood to the rest of the body. Like the Impella, the LVAD is also temporary, but can remain implanted longer than the Impella (years, rather than days). The LVAD is required for Dan’s survival, acting as a temporary, artificial heart.
Dan is now in end-stage heart failure, and will ultimately need a heart transplant, as the LVAD cannot permanently replace the heart, only bridge the gap between now and the hopeful receipt of a new heart.
Today, one week later, Dan remains in critical condition, and expectantly anticipates the VA’s approval for this life-saving LVAD surgery.
Still unaware of the events leading up to his diagnoses and current state of health, Dan and Heather are ready and committed to take on this next chapter together, including fighting the VA for funding and approval, if necessary.
Heather has not left Dan’s side, and will continue to remain there.
If all goes to plan, and the LVAD surgery is approved and successful, Dan will remain hospitalized for an addtional six (6) to eight (8) weeks for recovery.
Upon his eventual return home, Dan will require around-the-clock, full-time care due to the nature and seriousness of his condition, as well as the need for continuous LVAD device maintenance.
Heather is dedicated to not only emotionally supporting Dan during this time, but has also committed to stepping into the role of his full-time caregiver, necessitating that she be out of work for the unforeseeable future.
While Dan is recovering, Heather will not only be juggling frequent time in rehab with him, but will also be enrolled in caregiver classes in order to learn how to appropriately care for Dan and the LVAD device, ON TOP of caring for their two children, Jordan and Landon, as they will be heading back to school next week.
At this time, both Dan and Heather will be out of work focusing solely on his recovery and survival. In an effort to keep the family and children’s lives as normal as possible through this emotionally trying and transitional time, we are asking for the consideration of a monetary donation to aid in any medical bills not covered by the VA, every-day living expenses, as well child care that the family will utilize when needed.
For those of you that do not know, Dan is not only a husband and father to two beautiful children, as well as a successful bodybuilding coach and contributor to the fitness industry, but he is also a combat-wounded veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
Dan is not unfamiliar with war and its compulsory recovery; this being just another battle and recuperation in which he will no doubt fight and win with the love and support of his wife, children, family, and friends.
The family hopes that with your financial support, they may experience a steady state of health for Dan, so that they may one day be in a position to give back to those charities and foundations that raise awareness and support families in their current state.
We are grateful for not only your continued support and prayer for Dan’s condition and his family, but also your consideration in the sustaining of the financial health of the Eslinger family.
Dan’s heart was found to be functioning at only 20% of its capacity and his body was also unable to oxygenate itself properly. He was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), in which a machine-assisted technique provides cardiac and respiratory support—a very critical means of life support.
One week, multiple life-supporting modalities, and three (3) surgeries later, Dan is currently awake and alert (after two (2) to three (3) days of memory loss and slight amnesia), no longer needing the assistance of ECMO, but reliant on a temporary implanted device in the left ventricle of his heart—an Impella—that is currently doing 80% of the work of his heart in order to keep him alive.
As this device can only be kept in for a VERY short period of time (a matter of days), Dan is awaiting approval for the receipt of a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD): a surgically-implanted, battery-operated, mechanical pump that helps the left ventricle of the heart pump blood to the rest of the body. Like the Impella, the LVAD is also temporary, but can remain implanted longer than the Impella (years, rather than days). The LVAD is required for Dan’s survival, acting as a temporary, artificial heart.
Dan is now in end-stage heart failure, and will ultimately need a heart transplant, as the LVAD cannot permanently replace the heart, only bridge the gap between now and the hopeful receipt of a new heart.
Today, one week later, Dan remains in critical condition, and expectantly anticipates the VA’s approval for this life-saving LVAD surgery.
Still unaware of the events leading up to his diagnoses and current state of health, Dan and Heather are ready and committed to take on this next chapter together, including fighting the VA for funding and approval, if necessary.
Heather has not left Dan’s side, and will continue to remain there.
If all goes to plan, and the LVAD surgery is approved and successful, Dan will remain hospitalized for an addtional six (6) to eight (8) weeks for recovery.
Upon his eventual return home, Dan will require around-the-clock, full-time care due to the nature and seriousness of his condition, as well as the need for continuous LVAD device maintenance.
Heather is dedicated to not only emotionally supporting Dan during this time, but has also committed to stepping into the role of his full-time caregiver, necessitating that she be out of work for the unforeseeable future.
While Dan is recovering, Heather will not only be juggling frequent time in rehab with him, but will also be enrolled in caregiver classes in order to learn how to appropriately care for Dan and the LVAD device, ON TOP of caring for their two children, Jordan and Landon, as they will be heading back to school next week.
At this time, both Dan and Heather will be out of work focusing solely on his recovery and survival. In an effort to keep the family and children’s lives as normal as possible through this emotionally trying and transitional time, we are asking for the consideration of a monetary donation to aid in any medical bills not covered by the VA, every-day living expenses, as well child care that the family will utilize when needed.
For those of you that do not know, Dan is not only a husband and father to two beautiful children, as well as a successful bodybuilding coach and contributor to the fitness industry, but he is also a combat-wounded veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
Dan is not unfamiliar with war and its compulsory recovery; this being just another battle and recuperation in which he will no doubt fight and win with the love and support of his wife, children, family, and friends.
The family hopes that with your financial support, they may experience a steady state of health for Dan, so that they may one day be in a position to give back to those charities and foundations that raise awareness and support families in their current state.
We are grateful for not only your continued support and prayer for Dan’s condition and his family, but also your consideration in the sustaining of the financial health of the Eslinger family.
Organizer
Heather Eslinger
Organizer
Largo, FL