If you know David, you know...

He’s a father to Liam.

A husband and partner to me.

A son, a brother, an uncle.

A dance partner, a good friend, and chosen family to so many.

He’s my partner in all of this—

in life, in the messy middle, in the plans that change.

And right now, we just want him here.

Healthy. On the other side of this.

Why We’re Here

This is not an easy thing for us to share.

If you know me, you know I’m usually the one helping other people figure things out—making a plan, finding a way forward, holding it together.

Right now, it’s our turn to ask for help.

On May 14th, David will undergo open-heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic to repair an aortic root aneurysm.

It’s the kind of sentence that still doesn’t quite feel real when I say it out loud.

How We Got Here

Two years ago, what we thought was a one-time heart rhythm issue turned into something much bigger.

That moment led to a diagnosis we had never heard of before: Loeys-Dietz Syndrome.

It’s rare—affecting roughly 1 in 100,000–200,000 people. David’s subtype is even more rare.

Loeys-Dietz affects connective tissue, especially the blood vessels—making them more fragile and more prone to stretching or tearing without much warning.

In many cases, aneurysms can become dangerous earlier than expected, which is why timing matters so much with surgery.

Which is how we got here.

Why This Surgery Matters

David’s aortic root aneurysm has reached the point where waiting is no longer safe.

This surgery isn’t optional. It’s preventative in the most real sense of the word.

Because with this condition, the alternative isn’t “we’ll deal with it later.”

It’s something we’re not willing to risk.

With the right surgical team, at the right time, this procedure gives David more time.

And right now, that’s everything.

That’s what we’re choosing:

more time, and a future we still get to build together.

What We’re Navigating

Insurance is covering a significant portion of this surgery, and we are deeply grateful for that.

And still, this kind of moment comes with a real financial impact.

We were initially preparing for about $8,000 in out-of-pocket medical costs.

Then, in the last few days, things shifted.

David was laid off just four hours after notifying his employer of the surgery and his intent to apply for FMLA.

That means we are now also navigating:

That brings the immediate gap to around $16,000.

We are doing what we can—adjusting work, taking on more where possible, and planning carefully.

And it’s still more than we can comfortably absorb on our own.

How You Can Help

If you feel called to contribute, it would mean more than we can fully put into words.

If giving isn’t possible, sharing this helps just as much.

Every bit of support creates more breathing room, so we can focus on what matters most: David’s surgery, his recovery, and getting through to the other side of this.

Looking Ahead

When we are through this and back on stable ground, we plan to pay this forward with a matching donation to the Loeys Dietz Syndrome Foundation.

This experience has already shown us how much community matters, and we want to be part of that for others, too.

A Small, Personal Ask

David shared something simple that feels important to pass along:

He doesn’t want to be treated differently through this.

No heavy energy. No “I’m so sorry.”

What does feel good:

Good thoughts.

Good energy.

And the gentlest of hugs as he recovers.

Thank You

For reading this.

For sharing it.

For being part of our lives in whatever way you are.

We’ll keep you updated as we move through this.

With a lot of gratitude,

Janell