Background
Francine Timbers, 53, has always been physically active, energetic and passionate for life.
Francine has both Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Degenerative Heart Disease and diabetes.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the second most common form of heart muscle disease, is usually genetically transmitted. HCM is characterized by an inappropriate increase in heart muscle thickness. In these cases, not only do the walls expand outward into the chest cavity but they also grow inward, shrinking the interior space of the heart and subsequent volume and pumping capacity. The heart does not relax normally, and cannot fill with blood normally. This results in elevated pressures in the heart and lungs, which causes heart failure and congestion. Sudden death can also occur due to poor blood flow to the abnormally thick heart muscle.
With the advent of monitoring capabilities from implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), patients have a better chance of living a normal life.
Francine has 3 sisters and 3 brothers. Two of them have passed away at a young age due to conditions related to HCM. Her father also passed away due to HCM.
Francine's medical History:
· In 1982, at the age of 30, Francine was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Degenerative (HCD) heart disease.
· In 1992 the Cardiologist at the Ottawa Heart Institute implanted a cardioverter-defibrillator. Francine was symptom free until 3 years ago when she had a number of heart failure episodes. It is said that a cat has 9 lives but Francine has had 7 lives so far:
1) In 1992, while camping she collapsed and almost died; A pacemaker and defibrillator were installed for her protection
2) In 2013, heart failure episode and almost died;
3) In 2014, heart failure episode and almost died;
4) In 2015, heart failure episode and almost died. Francine started the long process to have a heart transplant at St Paul's Hospital in Vancouver
5) In February 2016, after 3 weeks of kidney failure she was to be admitted to Kelowna Hospice to die. On the day of admittance, her kidneys surprisingly and miraculously began to function again;
6) On March 1, 2016, while at St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, she had almost total heart failure. The doctors said Francine’s heart was functioning at 15 percent therefore if she was to live she needed a heart transplant or a LVAD (mechanical pump) which ever came first.
7) On March 16, 2016, 2 days before the insertion of a mechanical pump, Francine received word from her doctors that a compatible heart was available for her in the next few hours. At 9:00pm that evening, a successful heart transplant surgery occurred. Within 2 days, she was walking a short distance, which she could not have done before. Her color came back as illustrated in the photo below.
Why the funds are needed
Living in Vancouver is expensive at the best of times. The funds would be used for accommodation and other expenses in Vancouver for the next 3 to 6 months depending on her recovery rate. Francine will be monitored at St Paul's Hospital for the next year. The next year will be critical for her survival (heart rejection, complications, etc, … ). If Francine passes away during her one year recovery because of complications, she wants the money raised to go to the Home Away from Home Fund administrated by St Paul's Hospital.
At the present time, there is no financial help for out of town heart transplant patients.
Thank you!
Francine feels blessed to be alive. Her courage, beliefs, and determination to survive are strong and real.
Francine wants everyone to know that she is grateful to the St Paul's Heart Team in Vancouver for saving her life with a new heart and to the unknown donor for the selfless act of donating their heart. Francine’s deepest sympathies go to the donor’s family and friends at this difficult time. Francine will be forever grateful for giving her this chance of a new life. Francine and Ray are very appreciative to everyone for their financial contributions and encouraging words.
Find out more about Canadian Transplant Society .