Pericardium reconstruction surgery for Jose Alas:

About Jose: 

Jose Rolando Alas is a 42 year old single father who lives in Northwest Arkansas. He lives with his 22 year old son who he takes care off who is autistic. He also lives with his mother who is 64 years old. All his life Jose life has been about family. He loves his family and does whatever he cans to take care of them. But his life completely changed overnight. He became sick about 10 months ago. Now he cannot do anything for his family since he is now bedridden, cannot work and take care of his son and mother. 

How Jose got sick:

In March and April of 2021, Jose thought he was doing the right thing when he decided to get vaccinated for the COVID vaccine. He didn't expect to have any side effects since he was very healthy. But two weeks after the vaccine he started having extreme chest pain and tightness. His heart would start racing with barely any movement. While laying down his heart rate would be 110-120 and as soon he would stand up it would go over 150 beats per minute. He went to the emergency room and was sent him being told it was just anxiety. 

His symptoms during the following days got worst. His chest pain was extreme and he often would stay in bed. When he stood up his symptoms got worst. He was unable to function. He ended up quiting his job. Unable to pay bills his family came together to help with bills. New symptoms developed, ringing in ears and shortness of breath. He went to the emergency room over 60 times where they only performed the most basic tests. EKG, blood work, and x-ray. All his tests came back normal except for his abnormal heart rate. He was given beta blockers and other heart rhythm medication without much success. 

He started seeing cardiologists. The cardiologists at the Walker Heart institute in Fayetteville Arkansas, tested him for POTS and inappropriate sinus tachycardia, yet the tests were negative. CT scans were performed and doctors told him everything was normal. After seeing over 9 cardiologists. He was told by one of the cardiologist that Jose's symptoms resembles a rare disease called pericardium rupture. The cardiologist noticed that Jose's apical pulse on his chest was further left and that when he inhaled the cardiac tone was reduced. The left lung was coming in contact with part of his left heart ventricle. Do to the suspicious symptoms the doctor ordered a Cardiac MRI to look for pericardium defects. 

The cardiac MRI was performed without approval from his insurance. His insurance denied coverage because according to the the insurance's rules the doctor had to demonstrate that the reasons for the tests was to look for congenital heart issues. Therefore, Jose had to pay for the Cardiac MRI himself. The cardiac MRI was then performed. Yet the radiologist who performed the test didn't pay attention to the pericardium. The results sent to the ordering cardiologist was that there was no defect. 

Jose then decided to get the cardiac MRI images and other tests and sent them to a few doctors for a second opinion. The doctors in the states who he sent the tests all said that the images looked "normal" except some noise which shows the heart herniating and the pericardium rupture. According to the doctors it was the machine that was creating this mirage that looked like herniation and pericardium rupture. 

Jose was still not convinced and decided to send the records to three cardiologists outside the United States. All three cardiologists outside the country all agreed that Jose had pericardium rupture or pericardium agenesis which was causing partial cardiac herniation. The expert in Barcelona, Creu Blanca Cardiology Clinic told him that he needed to go to Spain for surgery as soon as possible. The doctors in the states weren't going to help him. The final diagnosis was pericardium rupture and partial cardiac herniation. That surgery was going to be performed at Quiroz Hospital in Barcelona for the fraction of the cost that it will in the United States. The total cost of the surgery is 32,000 Euros plus another 1,000 for patch. 

What's needed and how can you help. 

Jose needs a total of $35,000 euros to fly to Barcelona and get pericardium reconstruction surgery. He needs everyone who can donate any amount. He also needs people to share this story to bring awareness of the side effects of the . 

Thank you for helping and sharing.