Hi, I’m Chuck Glasgow and I started this campaign in September 2018. All money raised from this campaign will help pay for heart surgery I had on August 2, 2018, medical tests performed prior to my procedure, and will also help fund speech and physical therapy I receive after the procedure. I live in McKinleyville California, which is 275 miles north of San Francisco.

The following is an introduction by my daughter, Danielle Glasgow:

My dad had heart surgery on August 2nd.  The surgery was to correct a congenital birth defect, a constricted aorta, which reduced the blood to his lower extremities by 70%, and resulted in uncontrollably high blood pressure.  To date the diagnostic tests and heart surgery have resulted in $23,000 in debt.
 
My dad is a really amazing person. He always pushes me to be the best person I can be, and always helps me with any problem I have. He’s a great mentor – always helping me with school stuff and life problems. If I’m ever having a problem, he’s the person I call. But he’s also the most fun person you could ever be with – he’ll do anything with you, go for a hike, have a nine-hour movie marathon, have a bonfire with the whole family. He’s an inspiring person to me and everyone around him. I was so worried when he had his surgery because if anything happened to him I would have been so incredibly lost and I’m so thankful every day that he came out of it. He’s my dad, but honestly, he’s my best friend too.



  Summary of My Medical History

At 3-months of age, I was diagnosed with a congenital (present at birth) heart defect.  I had a heart catherization to confirm the diagnosis. The heart defect was a coarctated (narrowed) aorta located on the descending portion of the aorta (the part of the aorta that provides blood to the lower extremities). I subsequently had a heart catheterization in 1978 and in 2004 to monitor my coarctation.  By the time I was in my 30's I had high blood pressure that was difficult to control.

Chronic high blood pressure associated with a coarctated aorta increases the risk of heart damage, an aneurysm, a stroke, premature coronary artery disease, and kidney failure.

Fast forward to September 2017 when I had severe chest pains and called 911. The paramedics transferred me to the emergency room. My EKG was negative (no heart attack thank goodness), but my blood pressure was 220/120. I was subsequently admitted to St Joseph's Hospital in Eureka, California. I spent four days in the hospital while my blood pressure was lowered. My blood pressure medications were modified (some added, some dropped) and I was released from the hospital.

Once I left the hospital I was referred to a local cardiologist, Dr. Dorgan. Over the next six months diagnostic tests were performed. I met with my cardiologist to go over the results, and he reaffirmed that I had a coarctated aorta. He also indicated that I had a bicuspid aortic valve (two flaps in the valve compared to the usual three flaps). An aneurysm on the ascending portion of my aorta was also identified. Dr. Dorgan recommended that my coarctated aorta be repaired, my bicuspid aortic valve be replaced, and my aortic arch aneurysm repaired.

I was referred to a surgeon, Dr. Fleishman, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Keck Medical Center of USC, in Los Angeles.  After reviewing the test results he informed me that my constricted aorta was the top priority for surgery.  A constricted aorta increases the risk of strokes,

He suggested that my aortic valve and aneurysm be monitored, and that I should expect surgery in 1 to 2 years to replace my aortic valve and remove the aneurysm.  

On August 2nd I had heart surgery to remove the constricted portion (about 7 cm) of my aorta and a graft was put in its place.

A complication of the surgery was that my left vocal cord is now paralyzed (probably due to bruising of the nerve to the left vocal cord). It will take about 6 months to determine if it's temporarily or permanently paralyzed. I had a procedure on my left vocal cord during my stay at the hospital.

Fundraising Needs

Why help me?  That's a good question.  I'm not an extraordinary person.  What I am though is a good father, friend, and person. I have two wonderful children, Gregory and Danielle.  Gregory just graduated from college.  Danielle will be transferring to Humboldt State University next semester. 



When my children were very young their mom passed away.  I raised my kids on a single income and we always had enough money for our necessities.  I now, however, find it impossible to make ends meet without your help.  My medical bills are seemingly insurmountable and I'm reaching out to you.

There is a bit of urgency for my donations. All hospital bills beyond my means have been “paid” with credit cards. I will have great difficulty paying for my medical procedures without your generous contributions.

All money raised from this campaign will help pay for my heart surgery I had on August 2, 2018, medical tests performed prior to my procedure, and will also help fund speech and physical therapy I receive after the procedure.