Josiah Childress’ New Heart-Go Fund Me Cover Story Tonya Childress has courageously battled ovarian cancer for just over a decade. She counters every cancer related setback with grit, perseverance and positive thinking. At her most recent checkup, her tumors had not increased in size, thanks to an effective treatment plan and her positive attitude <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/39337906_1558317055360152_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="39337906_1558317055360152_r.jpeg" /> Tonya and her Family are now dealing with another Family medical crisis. In September 2018, the Childress’ then 18-year old son Josiah was hospitalized and diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. His heart was only operating at 9% of normal. Josiah spent a week in the Memorial Hermann Heart &amp; Vascular Institute, Center for Advanced Heart Failure in Houston, Texas (www.heart.memorialhermann.org). He was under the care of Cardiovascular Disease Specialist, Dr. Sachin Kumar. Dr. Kumar formulated a medical treatment plan for Josiah which included heart medication and a Zoll external defibrillator life vest. <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/39337906_1558314848224490_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="39337906_1558314848224490_r.jpeg" /> In addition to Dr. Kumar, the Hospital assembled a patient care team for Josiah which included a Heart Transplant Coordinator (Kim Davis), Hematologist (Modupe Idowu), and a Dietitian (Erica Otieno). Another key person on Josiah’s Team is his social worker Linda Pham. Josiah has worked hard with his Team to improve both his diet and weight condition. He has lost 70 pounds in the six months since his Congestive Heart Failure diagnosis. <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/39337906_155831490954470_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="39337906_155831490954470_r.jpeg" /> Josiah meets with his Cardiologist, Dr. Kumar, on a weekly basis. In January 2019, Dr. Kumar replaced Josiah’s external defibrillator with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). In February 2019, Josiah met with the Hospital’s Heart Transplant Board and underwent 3 days of physical and psychological testing required for potential heart transplant recipients. In April 2019, Josiah had another heart catherization. The results revealed that the condition of his heart had worsened. Dr. Kumar informed the Childress Family that Josiah would need to have a PICC line (soft, long catheter) inserted into his body for long term intravenous medications. The PICC line will be required until Josiah receives his heart transplant. In April 2019, Josiah met the majority of the Heart Transplant Board’s requirements and was placed on the Heart Transplant List with pending stipulations. The main stipulation is that Josiah has to complete any required dental work to reduce the chance of future infections from dental disease. The Childress Family is working with their Dentist to complete the required dental work. If all goes well, Josiah will hopefully receive his new heart sometime this year. Nineteen years of age is way too young to have to worry about one’s mortality from cardiac arrest. This GO FUND ME FUNDRAISER was established by Friends and Family of the Childress Family. Their medical bills are mounting so the goal is to raise $10,000 to take much of the financial strain off of the Family. Josiah’s father Preston is a single income provider due to Tonya and Josiah’s illness. He is doing everything in his power to keep his Family solvent. Before his Congestive Heart Failure diagnosis, Josiah was planning to major in “Cyber Security” at Texas State Technical College in Rosenberg, Texas, 35 minutes southwest from Houston. If all goes well with his heart transplant, Josiah will determinedly resume pursuit of his career goal. Your donation regardless of the size is greatly appreciated!! It will go to a heart-saving cause and help Josiah and his Family in innumerable ways! Please see Josiah and his Family's Photo Gallery  Video : <iframe media_type="0" media_id="pAY0YTDvLpo" class="youtube-replace" title="YouTube video player" style="margin-bottom:20px;width:560px;height:315px;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pAY0YTDvLpo/?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="1"></iframe>

Insira sua doação para Josiah Childress' New Heart