Donate to help Ted & Kelli Howard

Hey, my name is Karen Steele Woermann and I've known and been friends with Kelli & Ted for 30 years. I know they have lots of family and friends who love them, and want to help, but it's always hard to know exactly what you can do to help. So I thought this would give you an outlet to help, if you feel so inclined. Prayers are always appreciated as well.

In case you don't know... Ted Howard was admitted to Sacred Heart hospital and diagnosed with congestive heart failure. His heart is not pumping blood efficiently. He was having severe shortness of breath with fluid on both of his lungs, his heart was enlarged and fluid around his heart.

He underwent tests and procedures and was able to come home. Most of the fluid was gone and he was breathing much better. They were going to have him follow up with a cardiologist but just a few days later, he was re-admitted to the hospital with chest pain, dehydration, fluid in his chest, elevated liver enzymes, extremely low blood pressure and throwing up.

Within a few days of being in the hospital again, they inserted a balloon pump to help his heart function.

Ted was flown to Shands to get more critical care. He also started dialysis (has since been able to re-gain kidney function and discontinue dialysis, Thank God!) They have tried to remove the balloon pump to see if his heart could function on it’s own, with no success. The doctors say he needs to keep the balloon pump in until he gets a heart transplant. Well, that means he must stay in the hospital until the transplant.

As you can imagine, the medical bills are going to start rolling in, but not only that, Kelli is currently staying in a hotel, to be able to be with Ted in Gainesville… and they are looking for somewhere to stay long-term near Shands.

Lots of extra, unexpected expenses, anything you can give will help.