Double lung heart transplant for a new life.

Hi, my name is Julie Schlueter and I'm Joseph Schlueter's grandma. I am trying to help Joseph who is 18 and just graduated from high school this year, with expenses that are accruing every day. Let me share his story.

Joey was always an active child. He would run, shoot baskets, run and pass the football, ride bike, swim and be able to do so many fun things. For the past 5-7 years he has not been able to do this. No activity was allowed, his heart was just too exhausted.

When he was 8 he was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, the vein going from the heart to the lungs has a narrowing and blood can't flow properly and puts pressure on both heart and lungs. He has been taking several medications, to help open this vein for most of his life. About a year ago Joey was in very poor health. He went to Rochester Mayo, St.Mary's hospital in Minnesota for some testing and trying to find new medications that would help his condition better. During his stay his heart stopped and they used the paddles to restart his heart. They were able to find the right medication but it had to be administered through an MS3 infusion pump. He needed to move this site every 3 days and he had experienced discomfort with this especially at night.

One day Joseph told his grandma "I just want to be able to do things other guys do my age. This just broke her heart. He had been living with her for some time now. This has been so traumatic for his grandma. She is retired and has health issues herself. But she has always been there for him no matter what.

You see 3 years ago Joseph's mother Jennifer, grandma's daughter passed away from pulmonary hypertension, which is what Joseph has.

On Sept.07th, Joseph got "the call" from Rochester Mayo that they have a donor for him and he and grandma needed to get there that evening. They needed to get him ready with many tests and check him over for surgery the next day.

On the following morning Joseph had a double lung heart transplant. The surgery went very well. This was a very serious and huge surgery but Joseph was feeling terrific. He was going on walks shortly after surgery. He has been healing wonderfully. It's been crazy learning all of the medications, when to take them, what foods to avoid, diet change as he has been treated with insulin because of the medication he is on. On Sept.20th Joseph was discharged, but not far away. He could not go home as it was over 2 hours away and he needed to be close for many different appts including cardiovascular rehab to strengthen him for 3 months. So, he and his grandma are staying at a hotel to be close for his appts. Also they have every day expenses like pay for parking per day and meals and medical supplies ex. blood pressure cuff, oxometer, thermometer and medical bills.

His grandma has taken on quite a lot with all of this. I wanted to do something to help ease some of this for her and Joseph.

God has blessed all of us with a life saving donation from a very special family. Our prayers are with them also. Joseph is on a high for life. He said to me "grandma I never felt so good", and he is enjoying every single moment of feeling well again.

I felt if I could do something to help ease the pressure for his grandmother (she doesn't discuss things like this with Joseph) that would be a great relief.

Any sort of donation would be greatly appreciated. This includes prayers for Joseph's continued good health.

God Bless all of you and thank you for taking the time to read our story.

One last note. I am a donor mom. We donated our daughters organs when she suddenly passed away. So it's ironic that I am a recipient family member also.