My name is Erica, and I am starting a fundraiser for my friend Micky.

 **RECENT UPDATE**

In August, Micky had a second procedure on her esophagus and seemed to be doing well. She also started getting pain injections from neurology to help with chronic pain. This week Micky and her family found out that the fluid buildup around her heart is pressing on the vein that delivers blood to her liver, so just like her heart is not functioning properly, neither is her liver. Just recently, she started to get more tired/weak and short of breath daily.

We have no idea how long this condition has gone on since it went undiagnosed for many months. The cardiologist has said that the pressure/fluid is putting pressure on her heart, but overall the arteries and valves are okay. Micky asked the doctor what the outlook would be for someone in her condition and the doctor couldn’t tell them because the case is SO complicated, rare, and there’s so many variables that go into it (including hr age). Also, they don’t know to the extent to what’s going on—but he said because she is so young, he is hopeful that we will find a specialist that can help relieve some of my symptoms and maybe even relieve some of the pressure (even though there is no cure).

Micky has been feeling extremely weak and tired for some time now which has prevented her from going to work or participate in social activities, and the cardiologist says he has no idea how long she'll be in this state.

The cardiologist is now sending her to one of the best specialists he knows in KS who studied at Harvard and is working to get her an appointment ASAP. She will see the liver doctor this month to discuss the liver damage because the pressure will continue to damage her liver if it hasn’t already.

If the congenital cardiologist at KU can’t help, then the plan is to look for the best specialist in the country because she is too young to have to deal with this.

**Past updates**

As some of you know, back in April Micky had surgery to fix a Tracheal Diverticulum. This means that there is a small pouch on the wall of the trachea. It makes it difficult to eat and breathe and has caused pain for several months but went ignored by many healthcare providers.

Back in June of 2022 Micky relocated to Kansas City to see healthcare providers at KU and Saint Lukes Hospital. Her healthcare team has been running tests constantly and are gathering results, but the more they find out, the more confusing the situation gets. What tthey did discover is that she has pressure and fluid on the right side of her heart that they have diagnosed as right sided heart failure. Micky has a team of doctors consisting of several cardiologists, a neurologist, several GI specialists, and a pulmonologist. Micky, family, and friends have been searching high and low for a team that can get together to formulate a solution. In the meantime, she has been in and out of the hospital--unabe to maintain employment due to hospitalizations and multiple appointments a week.

 

This fundraiser is to help Micky and her family with medical/monthly bills.

 

Any little bit makes a huge difference.

*Micky’s email for resources: [email redacted] 

 

Backstory:

 

Micky was born with a congenital heart defect and has had ten surgeries to fix it. She went into cardiac arrest in late 2020, where her implanted defibrillator saved her life.

 

As a survivor of a lifelong battle, she is a strong advocate for heart health awareness and participates in many events through the American Heart Association. Micky is an advocate and speaker for the American Heart Association and shares her inspirational story everywhere.

She has been through more than most people can imagine before she even reaches the age of 25, yet she remains determined. She is passionate and kind and deserves the world.