My father, Jeff Antonson called me on Friday, December 22nd to bring him to the ER due to having a very hard time breathing, being super weak and just feeling very off. He has been trying to fight off some sort of illness that is still unknown at this time for roughly 2 1/2 weeks. He has missed work for countless days while being contained to only his bed as he has been having issues with his breathing for quite some time. As the days passed he was getting sicker, more weak, unable to eat, unable to climb stairs (he has numerous to go up to make it to his apartment), unable to even walk short distances to his bathroom and kitchen, suffering from severe chills and sweats and only sleeping for short periods. He had called me to bring him to the ER as he was only getting worse and his breathing had become so bad that he couldn’t make it a few steps without feeling extremely winded. He was seen by a doctor at an Essentia Health facility on Tuesday, December 19th for chest pain, shortness of breath and to try and figure out what was going on with him but was told to just take an inhaler and that this should pass. He was dismissed even after asking if they were going to draw labs to try and figure out what was going on.

Fast forward to Friday the 22nd while being seen in the ER, he was told he had suffered a heart attack in the last few days up to a week ago. While running a slew of tests, it was discovered that he had actually had a major heart attack, that his Left Anterior Descending Artery was fully blocked and he had fluid in his lungs due to his artery having the blockage. He was immediately taken to the OR to have 3 stents placed in his heart to clear the blockage and hopefully help his heart pump a little easier and clear his lungs of the fluid. He currently has a balloon placed to help his heart pump. This will be removed today, December 24th in hopes that his heart is ready to do the work it needs to. He was told that had he not come in, he would’ve died. He will remain hospitalized for another 3-5 days depending on what the outcome is with this being removed. He has a long road ahead of him. His heart is currently functioning at 30% even with his Left Anterior Descending Artery having the stents placed. Hopefully this will increase once his heart needs to function on its own.

Jeff has 4 children ranging from the ages of 11-28. Since he has been out of work, he has been unable to provide for his children and buy them any gifts…he was always a last minute shopper. One of his concerns was that he was unable to provide gifts for his children for Christmas but was also reminded that this is the least of his concerns and that it was a miracle that he is still here with them and that is a gift no one could top. Moving forward, it will be a long while before he is able to return to work as he has extensive damage to his heart. So I am reaching out on his behalf to get him the help he so desperately will need moving forward to cover bills, food and expenses. With all of this being said, we are just hopeful that he will do ok when he does return home and be able to get back to life and work. Thank you for taking the time to read this and will update as things progress. Thank you for any and all help that is received towards helping him recover and be a little less stressed when he is able to come home and start the recovery process. Anything will help and would be much appreciated! ❤️