Have A Heart for Stephon

When I became a parent, I didn’t realize that there was a gamut of things that I would have to deal with that I could’ve never imagined. Those things range from self-esteem and school bully’s to talks about values, morals, and of course, sex! As I sometimes struggle through these things more and more, they are made less significant by the importance of a child’s health. No parent should ever have to think about burying their child nor should a child have to come to the realization that they may die. However, this has become the reality for my cousin, Stacey and her son, Stephon.

The Nutshell: On a short walk to school one morning Stephon began to have severe cramping in the legs and shortness of breath. After being taken to the local hospital he was air lifted 2 hours away from his home to the University of Penn State Medical Center where he is currently being cared for. He is presently fighting an internal infection, pneumonia, liver and kidney failure and his heart has stopped pumping all together. Stephon has successfully received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implanted. He is being kept sedated so that hopefully his body can heal from the surgery and his other organs can get better. The LVAD is a pump that is used for patients who have reached end-stage heart failure, its a battery-operated, mechanical pump, which then helps the left ventricle (main pumping chamber of the heart) pump blood to the rest of the body.  We pray that the results of this surgery continue to progress in a positive direction as Stephon awaits his new heart.

Stephon’s biological father had a heart transplant at 18 years of age and died a few short years after from an asthma attack that caused a heart attack. While Stephon’s heart seemed to be functioning properly up until the age of 18, he is now faced with the same medical condition as his father and needs a heart. Stacey, Stephon’s mother is disabled due to juvenile diabetes which took its toll on her kidneys. She now does dialysis 3 times a week for 4 hours a day to maintain her kidney health. Stephon was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes approximately 5 years ago and heart failure within the last 6 months

Stacey travels 4 hours roundtrip frequently to see her son in the hospital between her dialysis schedule and managing the other day-to-day priorities. Kyle, Stacey’s husband, has been a supportive husband and stepfather. He spends many weekends with Stephon at the hospital and cares from both Stephon and Stacey on the days that they both are feeling ill. On the days that Stacey and Kyle cannot be with Stephon, her mother Pat R., sister, Sheena R., cousin, Quin S., and aunt Marcia chip in.  Stephon is also visited by family members and friends to show their love and support.

Stephon recently celebrated his 19th birthday on June 30, 2019 and we are grateful to have him with us in this world everyday as he awaits the miracle of a new heart. I put this page together to ask for your help in supporting Stephon and his family as they slowly make their way through this journey called life. Stephon first hospital stay was 2+ months. He now has been admitted for the past 3 weeks and we are told this will be a long recovery. Funds donated will be allocated toward parking fees, meals, hotel cost, gas, car maintenance and other expenses associated with the high volume of traveling to and from the hospital.

I thank you for your prayers and any donations no matter how big or small.