Hi everyone,

My name is Christina, and over the past several years my life has been shaped by heart disease. On June 30, 2026, I underwent my second open-heart surgery to replace my mitral valve with a mechanical valve and repair my tricuspid valve. Just days later, I needed another procedure to add stronger leads to my implanted defibrillator to help protect my heart. After spending two weeks in the hospital, I was finally able to come home to my family. Recovery has been challenging both physically and emotionally. Every day is filled with healing, managing pain, attending follow-up appointments, adjusting to new medications, and rebuilding my strength.

Despite everything, I recently received the best news I could have hoped for. At my first post-operative appointment, my surgeon told me my heart sounded amazing, my incision was healing beautifully, and—for the first time in years—I no longer have a heart murmur. Hearing those words brought me to tears because they represented hope after such a long journey.

While my recovery is going well, it will still take time before I can return to normal life. During this time, my family is helping care for me and our five children, and the financial burden of medical expenses, travel, medications, household bills, and everyday living costs has become overwhelming.

I am fundraising because the financial burden of medical expenses, travel, medications, household bills, and everyday living costs has become overwhelming. If you feel led to help, any donation—no matter the amount—will go directly toward medical expenses and prescriptions, transportation to follow-up appointments, household bills, groceries and essentials for our family, and allowing me the time to heal without added financial stress. If you're unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser with others would mean just as much. Thank you for every prayer, message, donation, and word of encouragement. Your support reminds us that we are not walking this journey alone.

With gratitude,

Christina