I really don’t even know where to start. I’ve never had to do this, but hi! My name is Mike Sullivan. In July of this year, I started coughing up blood, which I ignored because, well, men don’t go to the hospital. In August, I lost my job at Awful Arthur’s as a bouncer due to uncontrollable seizures. Since then, my medical conditions have worsened.

As of 11/12/2025, I am still medically unstable to hold a job or even drive, which, as a man, has been devastating because working under a car hood was my comfort zone. We still don’t have many answers other than I’m on medication and wearing a Zio heart monitor because something with my heart isn’t right.

I don’t ask for much—if anything—and honestly, I don’t even want to do this because it makes me feel less of a person. But under the circumstances, I was encouraged to make a GoFundMe, hoping it might help.

Here’s what the funds would go toward: Roanoke Memorial and Franklin Memorial both wanted me to go to UVA for better care and to hopefully get answers before things get worse or cause brain damage. They were supposed to send a referral the day I was admitted and have me transferred within a couple of days.

To say I wasn’t hesitant would be a lie—who wants to go out of town alone and be hooked up to machines without medication for seven days just to see what happens? I used to work for Roanoke Memorial and transported patients there as EMS personnel before joining the military, so I’m familiar with the staff and have built bonds with them. Still, I was willing to do whatever it took if it meant having a longer, pain-free life.

Well, two days later, I was handed discharge papers saying “feel better, UVA will be calling.” I was confused—why were they going back and forth like I’m a hamster? UVA called maybe three hours later, and I missed it, but I called back about 30 minutes after and spent over two hours talking with UVA, RMH, and FMH trying to figure out where my referral went. Of course, somehow, it was lost.

Finally, RMH said they’d call me back once they figured something out. They ended up scheduling another neurologist appointment for December 23rd just to see me again and maybe send the referral (if they even do it that day). But my health isn’t something I can keep putting off.

In October alone, I was taken to the hospital 11 times and admitted seven times for days at a time, just trying to find answers. I lost my dad in 2022 because RMH didn’t do enough scans or show enough concern to find out he had cancer. I refuse to have my name on a headstone this year.

I take my medication every day, even though I hate it, because it’s what I have to do. Being out of work has left me with almost no income, and what little I’ve had has gone to bills. I’ve never been in this kind of spot before, but here we are. I’ve applied for SSI and other assistance, but that process can take up to six months.

Just last month, one of my seizures lasted 38 minutes—and it took six doses of Versed before I finally came out of it. That’s terrifying, because episodes like that can cause brain damage or worse.

11/18/2025

Dr's have came to the result of the bottom part of my heart has taken damage and would like to do a pace maker as soon as possible. Results show that I had a heart attack and now my hearts in its recovery mode. it's not about the money, it's a out the awareness aswell..

Thank you for taking the time to read this.