Help Allan & family during heart valve replacement
Donation protected
My name is Elizabeth Arkin, and I am organizing this campaign for my husband, Allan Arkin. (Most people know him as Chef Allan) My husband is currently struggling with supporting our family, which includes our 16-year-old son.
It started coming to a head in July of this year (2020), when Allan had to go to the ER. He was diagnosed with Bradycardia, which is a slow heartbeat along with temporary stroke symptoms and a worsening of an existing condition of Mitral Valve Prolapse (the heart valve not closing and blood flows backward within the heart). At the time he was not yet a candidate for Mitral Valve surgery as he was not showing “enough” symptoms.
However, less than 4 short months later, on November 4th, 2020, he was hospitalized – again – with severe chest pain, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, and newly diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure. Less than two weeks later, on November 17th, 2020, he was hospitalized – AGAIN – with chest pain, high blood pressure, and shortness of breath. Due to the increasing frequency of hospitalization and rapid progression of the Mitral Valve deterioration, the cardiologist recommends surgery, IMMEDIATELY.
We ran into an unforeseen complication because cardiac surgery requires certification from the dentist that Allan does not have any sort of oral infections. Unfortunately, the root canal procedure that he had earlier this year on his rear upper molar is now infected and the infection spread to the adjoining molar. If Allan had the luxury of time, the dentist/endodontist would redo the root canal and wait six months to see if the infection in both molars would be healed. Unfortunately, due to the extreme urgency of the heart surgery, time is not on Allan’s side and he needs to have both molars removed ASAP so that he can have heart surgery.
Need:
Allan is not eligible for state disability insurance due to his self-employed status as a Personal Chef in our local Big Bear area. The majority of our income comes from his. He has not been able to work at all since November 4th. If there are no complications, the earliest he will be able to return to work is March 2021.
The tooth extraction surgery and bone graft have recently been completed. Following complete recovery from heart surgery, Allan will be able to start the process of molar implants which is estimated to cost around 10k.
Right now, while others are planning their holiday celebrations, my family’s focus is to make sure that Allan remains stress free, and enjoys the holiday season, while he waits for his mouth to heal from oral surgery, and then the Mitral Valve replacement in early January. I thank you in advance for helping me and my family.
It started coming to a head in July of this year (2020), when Allan had to go to the ER. He was diagnosed with Bradycardia, which is a slow heartbeat along with temporary stroke symptoms and a worsening of an existing condition of Mitral Valve Prolapse (the heart valve not closing and blood flows backward within the heart). At the time he was not yet a candidate for Mitral Valve surgery as he was not showing “enough” symptoms.
However, less than 4 short months later, on November 4th, 2020, he was hospitalized – again – with severe chest pain, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, and newly diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure. Less than two weeks later, on November 17th, 2020, he was hospitalized – AGAIN – with chest pain, high blood pressure, and shortness of breath. Due to the increasing frequency of hospitalization and rapid progression of the Mitral Valve deterioration, the cardiologist recommends surgery, IMMEDIATELY.
We ran into an unforeseen complication because cardiac surgery requires certification from the dentist that Allan does not have any sort of oral infections. Unfortunately, the root canal procedure that he had earlier this year on his rear upper molar is now infected and the infection spread to the adjoining molar. If Allan had the luxury of time, the dentist/endodontist would redo the root canal and wait six months to see if the infection in both molars would be healed. Unfortunately, due to the extreme urgency of the heart surgery, time is not on Allan’s side and he needs to have both molars removed ASAP so that he can have heart surgery.
Need:
Allan is not eligible for state disability insurance due to his self-employed status as a Personal Chef in our local Big Bear area. The majority of our income comes from his. He has not been able to work at all since November 4th. If there are no complications, the earliest he will be able to return to work is March 2021.
The tooth extraction surgery and bone graft have recently been completed. Following complete recovery from heart surgery, Allan will be able to start the process of molar implants which is estimated to cost around 10k.
Right now, while others are planning their holiday celebrations, my family’s focus is to make sure that Allan remains stress free, and enjoys the holiday season, while he waits for his mouth to heal from oral surgery, and then the Mitral Valve replacement in early January. I thank you in advance for helping me and my family.
Organizer
Allan Arkin
Organizer
Big Bear, CA