Give Christina a Healthy Heart

Christina is one of the most giving and caring people you could ever have the privilege of meeting. It is absolutely ironic that someone with such a beautiful heart was born with the congenital heart defect, Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). BAV is a form of heart disease in which two of the leaflets of the aortic valve fuse during development in the womb resulting in a two-leaflet valve (bicuspid valve) instead of the normal three-leaflet valve (bicuspid). This disease has lead her to have Aortic Stenosis as well. Aortic stenosis is one of the most common and most serious valve disease problems. It is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening which restricts the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
Throughout her life she has undergone a multitude of surgeries. The first one, at the age of six, and the second one, age twelve, were attempts to save and repair her valve. Unfortunately, this failed and at the age of twenty, she had her first complete valve replacement. In this surgery they replaced her aortic valve with a homo-graft, or human donor, valve. This valve lasted approximately 12 years. At age 32, she was the recipient of a St Jude's Bio-core Stinted Tissue valve. Each valve is only estimated to last approximately 10 years. Each transplant has given us 12 years. She has stretched this valve as far as she could. Her valve has now failed which is causing overall heart failure. This transplant is a high risk surgery due to the severity and overall condition of her heart. This replacement will consist of removing the St. Judes Bio-core Tissue Valve and replacing it with a mechanical aortic valve. Doctors have also discovered leaks in her mitral valve, which will be repaired during this surgery. Currently, the doctors are discussing the best course of action to take with the surgery as far as location. Due the the high risk and possible complications, it is possible that she could be sent to the Mayo Clinic in Cleveland for the surgery, however the severity of the need of the surgery is so high, that time may not allow for the arrangements to be made causing the doctors to perform the surgery here. Regardless, she has a long road ahead of her. Which is why I am asking for your help.
Christy has neglected her healthcare treatment for as long as possible for fear of financial stability through this ordeal. She can't any longer. She will be unable to work for at least 6 months, if she is ever able to return. While waiting for surgery she is in the hospital on bed rest with an infection of fluid around her heart. Unfortunately, bills don't stop just because her heart is...... We need your help to keep her as stress free as we can. Her fiance, Chris, is by her side and will remain so, throughout her surgery and recovery as needed, so he will obviously miss a few weeks of work as well. No donation is too small. Any and all donations will be used solely for her medical bills and cost of living during her surgery and recovery. More than anything we ask for prayers that she will come through with a successful transplant.