Help for Stephanie and family after Heart Attack

Stephanie Ewart-Estevez is known for her fun personality, her musical laugh, and her fierce loyalty. She also has one of the strongest hearts when it comes to her family and friends, that’s why it was so shocking when it failed her.

On Monday, January 3rd at around 10pm, Stephanie’s heart stopped as the result of a heart attack, making her lose consciousness and quit breathing. Due to the quick thinking of fast food employees where she was in line at the drive through she was given CPR and transported to St. Mary Medical Center. Stephanie was brought in unresponsive and needed immediate intubation. She was given two stents in her heart and put on a ventilator.

As of today, she is still heavily sedated and on the ventilator. While her heart seems to be doing well there is no way of knowing how much brain damage was caused by lack of oxygen since no one knows how long she was unconscious before CPR was started. We are hoping and praying it was only a few minutes! For now, her doctors are slowly easing her off sedation and we will know more when she wakes up and can breathe on her own.

Her Husband, Victor, and Mom, Kathy, are trading off being by her side. Because of Covid, only one visitor is allowed per day. They are heartbroken and sick with worry. She has two sons, Nico 10 and Matthew 9. They are doing well and only know that Mommy’s heart is acting up, but because they are so close with Steph they really miss her. She is their main caregiver and both boys are sensitive souls that love their Mom very much.

My name is Nicole Heckman, Stephanie’s Cousin. I am raising funds for her and her family for medical, household, and possible long term care bills. As of now, she and Victor are already getting behind on rent and other household payments. Stephanie is a self employed mobile notary public and Victor is a full time free lance driver. Without Stephanie’s income things are going to be really tough and we know she will be off work for at least a couple months. On the other hand, Victor’s income has been largely diminished as he can now only drive when the boys are at school. We all know the most lucrative times for driving are nights and weekends but with only one parent around to watch the kids, that’s off the table.

Stephanie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer a few years ago. She has been through numerous surgeries including a double mastectomy which was obviously really hard on her body. She also has Graves’ disease which is an overactive thyroid. This particular illness comes with the possibility of Heart Attack. However, Steph’s overall health is good. She eats well and you can often find her at the gym. Needless to say, though, that these other issues were already a financial setback for the family.

I know we just had the holidays and times are tough with the pandemic. But I am asking you to give whatever you can. Even $5 helps. I don’t know what the medical bills will be and honestly I may have to increase the fundraising goal when we know more. But, for now, I want to help Victor and the boys any way I can. Stephanie is a amazing Mom and it would hurt her so deeply to know Victor has to struggle for her sons while she is trying to heal. Please pray for my Cousin. She is so strong, I know she can get through this ❤️❤️❤️