Dobutamine for a Duerbeck

In 1976 my brother, Clayton was born with a congenital heart defect, called Transposition of the Greater Arteries.  From his first breath of air he was swept way to the operating table.  His first operation rerouted the blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle which then pumped deoxygenated blood to his lungs. Then at 22 months he had open heart surgery, which allowed the blood flow through the heart more normal.    He managed to survive both even though the doctors were not very optimistic.  The doctors advised my parents to say goodbye before the surgery and if he did survive they were unsure of a life expectancy.  The doctors told my parents to take him home, and keep him restricted so his heart rate would not get elevated, keep the in a comfortable temperature (between 65 -85 degrees Fahrenheit) as it would be hard for him to breath otherwise. His life expectancy at best, would be 15-16 years of age, but the doctors really had no idea how long he would make it.  My parents ended up doing just the opposite,  wanting him to enjoy what little time he might have.  He played soccer, baseball, bowled and enjoyed the outdoors. 

All was stable until 2007 when he started having shortness of breath, the cardiologist then diagnosed him with CHF (Chronic Heart Failure).  
 
So here we are present day, he is in the late stages of heart failure and stuck in the hospital since June 25, 2018 because he cannot afford the medicine, Dobutamine that is literally keeping him alive.  Currently he does not have insurance until January 2019 when he would finally get Medicare.   Unfortunately the hospital cannot discharge him unless he can pay for this medicine once out.  We are trying to raise funds to help him pay for this medicine and to get a portable oxygenator, so once out he can actually leave his  house.

As many of you know my brother has a big heart, loves to joke, enjoys spending time with his family and friends and has always been there to help us out.  He has too much pride to ask for anything from others but this time he needs our help.  At this point he is stuck in the hospital until we can raise the funds to pay for this medicine.  The hospital has exhausted all the means with Medicare to get him covered sooner.  He has never asked for much until now, he needs us all to help.  Without this medicine he will not survive. period.  He can sit in his hospital room until January unless we help raise this money.  Unfortunately, the doctors say that without this medicine he will die, as his heart cannot pump without it.  We know that this medicine is not a cure, as his heart is weak and doesn't pump as yours or mine does, but it will keep him with us a few days, weeks, maybe even months longer.  If you know us, we know life is not fair, it is what it is and you make the best of it.  That's all he is trying to do.