Help Bob's Heart Surgery Recovery Journey

My name is Adam Shaffer. I am looking for assistance in helping a friend of mine get through a few months while recovering from open heart surgery. A little about myself. I am a single father of 2 kids. I currently have been raising one of my kids by myself for the last 7 years. Once my son’s mother decided to leave and head back to California, I took on the responsibility of raising my son, Sebastian, by myself. I am also a disabled combat vet and have had difficult times being social and finding people to spend my free time with. I don’t have much free time being that my son is always with me so I try to have somewhat of a life with friends when I can find time. My son has played sports his whole life and we were introduced to the idea of trying ice hockey. A little over 4 years ago we decided to give hockey a chance. We ended up going to the local ice rink in Kissimmee, FL and participating in the learn to play program on Saturday mornings. There was this kid on the ice with my son who looked like he was pretty focused, but had this energy that made you want to watch and see what he would do next. Come to find out, his name was Robby and his dad was standing next to me. His name was Bob. We began talking about why we were there and how our kids got to the point to try hockey. Usually I meet other parents or adults and its an occasional chat here or there when I’m at an event, but for some reason Bob and I had very similar personalities and began talking through text and on the Saturdays. We wanted to figure out the next steps to get our kids into the sport of hockey. One thing lead to another and eventually our kids were playing on the same recreational hockey team and the relationship began to form. Not only did Bob and I start to talk more. Our kids also began to become friends. As the years went on, we found ourselves hanging out after practices and even sharing holidays together like Thanksgiving. Bob introduced me to his friend Ed, who he had been friends with for years and we all would eventually get together from time to time. Being adults, we all were pretty busy, but we always found time to catch up. Ed even came out to watch my won play in a travel hockey game and then even rode with us an hour and a half south to watch robby play that night. There wasn’t a distance that was too far for either of us to go and support our kids. Ed was also family to me and my son really cared about him as well. A few months ago we suddenly lost Ed to a heart condition. It was really unexpected and we just didnt understand how a healthy person could lose such a battle within weeks. I remember talking to Bob and telling him we will do whatever we need to do to help Ed and be there for him. Bob was at the hospital everyday. My son and I met him there on a wednesday and we were able to talk to Ed. We shared some good laughs and my son even showed ed a couple hockey videos from his most recent tournament. Little did we know that would be the last time we would see Ed. He passed away that following Saturday. I was heartbroken. Not only did i lose a friend, but Bob lost an even closer friend as they hung out almost weekly. Ed’s heart just stopped working. Ed loved lifting weights and he seemed in great shape. Even though Bob has a kid and a grandson, along with his wife, who he helps take care of, he was always there and willing to give whatever or do anything he had to do for Ed because thats the type of person Ed was. We are all like that. It’s who we are. Its probably why we all got along so well. We always care so much about others and always want to help no matter the situation or how much money we have in our pockets. We are all rich through the love we share with others and if anyone has ever talked to Bob, you would also be able to say the same thing. My son has been trying out for travel teams recently and a team asked my son to go back for another tryout. I had to work my second job, but Bob was right there. He has hernia surgery last year and I didnt hesitate taking his son to Tampa for hockey practice. Bob was on it and drove hours to take my kid to Lakeland. Last week he told me he had to go in for a check up on his heart. One thing lead to another and he was home telling me how he had 80% and 90% blockage in his heart. Bob is a pretty upbeat person, but the main concern was how can he juggle taking care of his family at home if he has to go through any surgeries or appointments. It’s hard to have these talks with Bob simply because I am just like him. Working hard every week to pay bills and make sure the kids are at practice and school dances or to hang out with friends and he always makes sure he finds time to spend with his wife. I should know how long they’ve been married, but they’ve been together for so many years I seemed to have forgotten. Maybe 15 or more and he still makes sure holidays and everything is well organized. He was devastated when he found out about his heart. Not so much of his own personal health, but because of how he might be letting everyone down if he cannot handles bills or organizing what needs to be done. Not to mention his son Robby is one heck of a hockey player with a bright future and parents who know about youth sports. Especially hockey. Know it is a grueling job for us parents to get our kids to practices. Games. Clinics. Private sessions. Etc. Later that night, I get a text from Robby. Bob passed out and he’s in the hospital. We find out he should not have gone home and he will need surgery sooner than later. As I type this, just getting home from Daytona tonight so my son could go to hockey which was an hour and a half one way and having to teach tomorrow then go to my second job. I can’t help wonder how I can help Bob and his family. The man is going to be in surgery in a few hours and all he is worrier about is being able to care for his loved ones. His work is having issues with his insurance policies and he isn’t sure of he will get pair after June 7th. Theres an issue that he didnt have time to try and resolve before surgery and now he may not have the strength and time to continue to monitor his progress with the issue at work and may be left without any income for months. Even if his insurance issue is resolved, which would be best case scenario because they're saying his policy was canceled a few months ago which doesn't make sense because Bob cant even navigate a usa hockey website to find a registration number for his son without asking me to do it, but they’re saying it was canceled even if it wasn't then this would only be a portion of his regular income. I told Bob to not worry so much and I would do everything I can to figure this out. My only thought was to stay up late and start a go fund me. I’m not the type to ask for help and Bob isn’t either, but what else can we do? I started a gofund me a while ago for the first time. My friend was diagnosed with cancer and they caught it late. He had to have back surgery and he has been going through tons of chemo. I was able to raise some funds to buy him a playstation 5. We gave him an old xbox and he always told me he wanted mine. When we found out about his situation I figured id try. It worked. People showed up and helped out. He spends so much time everyday on the playstation while not being able to get out of his hospital bed often. He uses it to watch tv or movies or even gaming. I am hoping I can now help Bob and his family in any way. Any donation helps. Helps pay for a meal or a bill. I know Bob. I know when he is back on his feet and ready to work that he will be back supporting his family. Helping others as he has always done in the past, but for now he has no other option but to go through surgery and rest. I don’t want him going through recovery with more stress than he already has. I know he would be appreciative as I would be as well with any help we could get. Thank you for reading.