Audrey’s Heart Journey

This fundraiser is to raise money for a very good friend of mine and her family! Audrey, Matt, her husband, and Peyton, their beautiful baby girl.

Audrey is in need of a heart transplant and is now officially on the list. Due to certain circumstances, this will be taking place out of state. When they spoke with the transplant team, they told them that they need to fundraise immediately. They highly recommend that you have between $5,000 and $10,000 saved before transplant. One of the nurse case managers that they spoke to said, "I don't care if it makes you feel uncomfortable, if you don't like asking for money, you need to do it, and you need to do it now". Matt and Audrey do not like to ask for financial help, but unfortunately they are unable of raising this amount of money on their own, so quickly. Since they are asking for help, I want to let you know what this money will be used for. It will be used for things such as: remainder of the surgery cost not paid by insurance, a place for Matt & Peyton to stay while she is in the hospital after surgery, a place for all of them to stay after discharge (She has to live in Nashville for at least 6 weeks after surgery), copays for visits during those 6 weeks as well as the numerous appointments that will come that first year, medications following transplant, etc. I can assure you that any money raised will be going towards transplant medical and travel needs only.  

Here is her story written by her; I am going to try and give the cliff notes version. Many of you know, I was an avid softball player for most of my childhood. The softball field is where we spent most of our week nights and weekends. On May 10, 2008, that all changed. I suffered Sudden Cardiac Arrest while playing softball. I was resuscitated, stayed 2 weeks at Children's Healthcare of Egelston, was diagnosed with CPVT, and they implanted an AICD (defibrillator). I have, thankfully, only been shocked twice, and they were both improper/unnecessary shocks. I have learned how to live with this diagnosis through the years, and have been able to do most things without overexerting myself. 
    Matthew and I have always wanted a family of our own. We tried for many years to have a child, and lost two sweet babies along the way due to miscarriages. After working closely with our doctor, we were able to have our sweet miracle, rainbow baby, Peyton. We are truly blessed to have her in our lives; she has completed our little family.
 While pregnant with Peyton, I was able to work daily, and was doing most of what other pregnant women could. At 37 weeks, I was having a very high amount of palpitations. I am used to having palpitations, but they were so bad it was hard to breath, even hard to talk. I went to the emergency room, and after admitting me and running a few tests they decided to welcome our daughter to the world a little bit earlier than planned. Thankfully she was a healthy baby, and as soon as they cut the umbilical cord, my palpitations greatly decreased. We didn't find out that my heart wasn't functioning as well until my follow up visit with the cardiologist almost two months after Peyton's birth. Ever since then, each test that I have had showed that my heart continues to decrease in function. We were referred to a Heart Failure specialist in Marietta that has been following me since July of last year. Recently I was referred to Vanderbilt for transplant evaluation since only certain Heart Failure/Transplant specialists actually have transplant capability. Vanderbilt is number two in the country for transplants, so I think it is safe to say that the Lord sent us to where we needed to be. After many appointments and many tests, it has been decided that I need to be on the heart transplant list. I am on the list at a status six, meaning that I have a failing heart without an assistive device (LVAD). There is no way to be certain of how long the wait time is for a new heart, however they estimated a year to two years if I am stable. If things worsen, I could be given a LVAD or admitted to the hospital and moved up the list.
 This has been a hard time for Matthew and I, to think about how we finally got all that we had dreamed of and something so terrible could happen like this. Its also difficult to think of the life that would be lost in order for me to recieve a new heart, and are praying about that daily. We know that the Lord will never give us more than we can handle. We know that there must be a reason that the Lord wants us to go through this difficult time, and I know it will only bring us closer to Him. It already has. We will get through this with His love and strength, and the love, support, and prayers of our family, friends, and loved ones. Not by my strength, but His. Zechariah 4:6

 Thank you so much for taking the time to read her story! Any little bit helps and of course prayers are always appreciated! Where God guides, He provides. Isaiah 58:11