Hi Friends

I am reaching out for help and started this GoFundMe for Andrew (AJ) Peters, son of Andrea Minet and Jim Peters.  AJ is a twelve-year boy from Dodge City Kansas that has been through five surgeries since April 11, 2018.  We are reaching out to friends and family to help cover costs for AJ’s family.

AJ was an active boy playing football, basketball, golf and other sports.  When mom and dad noticed that AJ would be very tired and lethargic, they decided to take him to a pediatric cardiologist.  The cardiologist told them that AJ had a complete heart block. He was sent to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City where they put his first pacemaker in on April 11, 2018.  At about 3 weeks the pacemaker became infected and it had to be removed.  AJ and his family had to stay in the hospital for almost two weeks while AJ received IV antibiotics.  On May 14th the doctors placed another pacemaker in AJ.  Again, about 3 weeks later the pacemaker started showing signs of infection and had to be removed.  After the second pacemaker had to be removed other heart specialists and the pacemaker company were contacted to try and see if anyone else has had these types of issues.  After consulting with the other specialists and the pacemaker company they felt the best way to move forward was for AJ to have a custom pacemaker made for him that had a paralyne coating so that no part of the pacemaker device would touch him once it was placed. On November 27th, 2018 the third custom made pacemaker was placed in AJ. About two weeks later the pacemaker started showing signs of infection.  Currently, the doctors are trying to determine whether it is an infection or a hypersensitivity. They think that the hypersensitivity may be to a small plastic tube that holds the leads in place until they settle, and his body has attached to them. If this is the case, they feel like they can do another surgery and remove that plastic tubing but leave the custom pacemaker in place. AJ is currently showing other signs that are concerning as his chest around the pacemaker is currently swollen. His family is working close with his cardiologist in Kansas City to figure out the next steps.  

With all that being said both mom and dad have had lots of medical bills, travel costs, hotels, food etc. as they have been staying in Kansas City during all these procedures.  We are trying to help cover some of those costs as well as future costs for the family.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and consider how you might be able to help, if anything we would greatly appreciate your prayers.