Update - Cris received a new heart on April 26th. The surgery went well and doctors are happy with his progress. We thank everyone who has donate, shared, prayed, helped, etc. We ask that you also keep the donor's family in your thoughts. 

Cris is currently unemployed and without benefits as his company didn't approve his fmla. I was able to add him to my insurance and am able to work remotely during his recovery. There's a long road ahead of us as we are 3 hours from home and unable to go back for at least 2 months. Thank you again to everyone for the support! 

As most know in May 2021 Cris was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in October 2021 he had an ICD implanted in case of failure. He has been an excellent patient and has followed what was asked of him. On March 5th 2023 his heart went into afib and his ICD shocked him twice. We went to the emergency room and he was admitted for a week. He had follow up on March 20th as he was not showing improvement. He was scheduled for a right heart cath on March 22nd to find that his heart output was very low and was time for a heart transplant. On March 23rd he was transferred to MUSC in Charleston. That night it was determined his heart was too weak and needed assistance. An Impella heart pump was implanted and is now helping bump blood to his other organs.

On March 29th the care team met and decided Cris was a candidate for a heart transplant and was officially placed on the list as a status 2. We are currently patiently waiting to hear there is a heart available. Due to having the Impella Cris is unable to leave the hospital and wait to get the call, he is currently inpatient until one is available.

This definitely a challenge for our family emotionally, physically and financially. We only have one income for the time being and will need to prepare to stay in the Charleston area for at least 6 weeks post-op. Any support is appreciated as we plan for lodging, travel, food and just our normal cost of living.

Como la mayoría sabe, en Mayo de 2021, Cris fue diagnosticada con insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva. En Octubre de 2021 se le implantó un DAI en caso de fallo. Ha sido un excelente paciente y ha seguido lo que se le pedía. El 5 de Marzo de 2023, su corazón entró en fibrilación auricular y su ICD lo electrocutó dos veces. Fuimos a urgencias y estuvo internado una semana. Tuvo seguimiento el 20 de marzo ya que no mostraba mejoría. Estaba programado para un cateterismo cardíaco derecho el 22 de Marzo y descubrió que su gasto cardíaco era muy bajo y era hora de un trasplante de corazón. El 23 de Marzo fue transferido a MUSC en Charleston. Esa noche se determinó que su corazón estaba demasiado débil y necesitaba ayuda. Se implantó una bomba cardíaca Impella y ahora ayuda a llevar sangre a sus otros órganos.

El 29 de Marzo, el equipo de atención se reunió y decidió que Cris era candidato para un trasplante de corazón y se colocó oficialmente en la lista como estado 2. Actualmente estamos esperando pacientemente saber que hay un corazón disponible. Debido a que tiene el Impella, Cris no puede salir del hospital y esperar a recibir la llamada, actualmente está hospitalizado hasta que haya uno disponible.

Esto definitivamente es un desafío emocional, físico y financiero para nuestra familia. Solo tenemos un ingreso por el momento y necesitaremos prepararnos para permanecer en el área de Charleston durante al menos 6 semanas después de la operación. Cualquier apoyo es apreciado mientras planeamos alojamiento, viaticos, comida y solo nuestro costo de vida normal.