Help after LVAD Heart Surgery & Income Loss -Death
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On the ninth of June in 2017, what should have been a normal day changed the course of our lives forever. My husband Doug Baker suffered the widowmaker heart attack, or "chronic total obstruction" of the left anterior descending artery. Doug was rushed to Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital from Royston, Georgia where he was immediately taken into surgery.
As he was being prepared for surgery his heart stopped twice, receiving two seperate defibrillator shocks. It was determined that Doug needed a triple bypass surgery instead of a stint, for the best chance of survival.
Miraculously after an eight hour surgery and a long journey to recovery ahead, he survived. Doug has been in and out of the hospital for various reasons since the heart attack, one including the installation of an IED pacemaker to his heart. Due to the monumental effects of the heart attack, Doug, who was the main source of income, was unable to return to work indefinitely.
I too became unemployed in 2016 because of an injury and have been seeking disability benefits ever since.
These unfortunate circumstances caused us to have to move into my mother's home, as we were no longer able to financially support ourselves on our own.
In the beginning of 2020 it was found that Doug had stage four heart failure and was scheduled to receive the LVAD "left ventricular assist device" in May.
My Mother Lynn had discovered the year prior that she would be undergoing open heart surgery to fix two valves in her heart. Her surgery was also set for May of 2020.
Unfortunately the surgery of my mother Lynn did not go as planned and she passed away tragically and unexpectedly.
It was discovered in her autopsy report that her death was caused from non alcoholic fatty liver disease (cirrhosis of the liver) in combination with the heart valve replacement.
Lynn was the main provider in the home and left no life insurance to aid in her final wishes or expenses. I was able to gather enough money from what she left,
from things we have sold, and also help from loved ones to make it the past few months since her death.
Eventually, we could become homeless. Doug's condition requires him to need constant access to electricity at all times. His LVAD device is battery operated and the batteries have to be recharged to function. At night, his controller is connected to a device that is plugged into a power outlet when he sleeps.
Without his batteries and electricity, he will die.
We understand that these are difficult and trying times for all amid the coronavirus pandemic. We sincerely appreciate any help that you can offer, and please, if you can not donate, feel free to share our fundraiser.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read about Doug and I, and may the good Lord bless you all.
Sincerely,
Doug and Michelle Baker
(Pictures attached are of Doug and his LVAD)
As he was being prepared for surgery his heart stopped twice, receiving two seperate defibrillator shocks. It was determined that Doug needed a triple bypass surgery instead of a stint, for the best chance of survival.
Miraculously after an eight hour surgery and a long journey to recovery ahead, he survived. Doug has been in and out of the hospital for various reasons since the heart attack, one including the installation of an IED pacemaker to his heart. Due to the monumental effects of the heart attack, Doug, who was the main source of income, was unable to return to work indefinitely.
I too became unemployed in 2016 because of an injury and have been seeking disability benefits ever since.
These unfortunate circumstances caused us to have to move into my mother's home, as we were no longer able to financially support ourselves on our own.
In the beginning of 2020 it was found that Doug had stage four heart failure and was scheduled to receive the LVAD "left ventricular assist device" in May.
My Mother Lynn had discovered the year prior that she would be undergoing open heart surgery to fix two valves in her heart. Her surgery was also set for May of 2020.
Unfortunately the surgery of my mother Lynn did not go as planned and she passed away tragically and unexpectedly.
It was discovered in her autopsy report that her death was caused from non alcoholic fatty liver disease (cirrhosis of the liver) in combination with the heart valve replacement.
Lynn was the main provider in the home and left no life insurance to aid in her final wishes or expenses. I was able to gather enough money from what she left,
from things we have sold, and also help from loved ones to make it the past few months since her death.
Eventually, we could become homeless. Doug's condition requires him to need constant access to electricity at all times. His LVAD device is battery operated and the batteries have to be recharged to function. At night, his controller is connected to a device that is plugged into a power outlet when he sleeps.
Without his batteries and electricity, he will die.
We understand that these are difficult and trying times for all amid the coronavirus pandemic. We sincerely appreciate any help that you can offer, and please, if you can not donate, feel free to share our fundraiser.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read about Doug and I, and may the good Lord bless you all.
Sincerely,
Doug and Michelle Baker
(Pictures attached are of Doug and his LVAD)
Organizer
Michelle Baker
Organizer
Comer, GA
