Aid Needed for Life-Saving Heart Surgery

I was born with WPW or Wolfe Parkinson White. I have spent my entire life on various medications and had three unsuccessful heart ablations at Shands and Piedmont hospital. When I was 21, I spent two months in a hospital where I lost all memory of that time and switched to new medication. For the past 15 years, I did not notice any issues with my heart problem. About a month ago, I noticed I was having consistent palpitations and while working I became dizzy and my vision would black out. Upon going to a cardiologist, I was informed that I have a low ejection fraction meaning that my heart had become weakened and does not pump blood as needed. In other words, my heart has started to fail.

I was sent to an electrophysiologist that informed me that the medication I was placed on for 15 years was to blame for weakening my heart and I have to immediately stop the medication and begin new meds to not only control the arrhythmia, but to fight the heart failure. On top of this, he informed me that the nodes responsible for controlling the beating of my heart were damaged but also the good and bad node were too close together for a successful ablation to occur. I was told that if I left this problem alone I could suffer from a blockage in my heart. The only option I was given was to be placed on a pacemaker and the hope is that my heart will then strengthen again with time.

With all of this occurring, I can no longer work until after recovering from surgery. This means that I will be out of work from September until January. This is devastating for me as I have worked full-time my entire life. For the past five years, I have worked full-time as a manager and attended my doctorate program full-time at Nova Southeastern University to become a psychologist. I have sacrificed sleep and other basic needs just to make this dream come true for myself. However, now I have to worry about how I will pay for my $2,000 rent and bills during this time. Not only do I have this to consider, my deductible for this operation after insurance is $10,000.

I truly am not sure where life is going to take me, but I know that I want to recover as quickly as possible so I can get back to life and enjoy all that I have worked hard for. It’s extremely tough for me to even be in this position at 36 where I have to ask others for help with life. I have prided myself on never having to bother others and I never want to impose on others. This time, I am left with little other choice to ask for help so that I can make it through this point in life. I appreciate anyone taking the time to listen to my story as this time has been so scary and emotional for me. I know everyone is struggling as life isn’t easy but even if it isn’t monetary support, please share this, or if you have experienced something similar I would love to connect and not be alone in this.