
Help Mike Smith Recover After Open Heart Surgery
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UPDATE: I realize it’s been a slight delay in updating on Mike post surgery but wanted to wait until he was completely out of the surgery and initial recovery. We wanted to share that Mike is having some complications following his open heart surgery. He has been experiencing major nausea which they worked extensively to treat and determine if something was missed. Currently he is dealing a bowel obstruction that is being monitored. The medical team is aware and working hard to do everything they can for him. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you all so much for your support during this difficult time.
Hey Everyone! My name is Jessica Watts and I am writing this with great concern for the coming months but with a hopeful heart for two of the most incredible people I know—my best friend Racheal Smith and her husband Mike Smith. As much as I love and know them, they would never ask for help. (I will deal with the repercussions later haha) With that said, No matter how much planning one does, you just are never quite prepared for something such as Open Heart Surgery and that road to recovery.
On June 29th, Mike had a heart attack that took him to not one hospital, but to three in order to get him to a hospital that would be fully equipped and able to get him stabilized and figure out the next steps that would need to be taken. It was quickly realized that Mike would need a quadruple open heart bypass surgery due to his arteries being blocked 70% to 100%. This procedure is very serious and the recovery period can be a long and difficult road to recovery. His Open heart surgery is today, July 1st.
What we know now, is that Mikes road to recovery will be for the immediate and foreseeable future. There is no time line per se, but due to the nature of this operation, it will not be a couple weeks and you’re back to 100%. Mike will be unable to work and unable to operate a motor vehicle for quite some time. He will be extremely limited initially. There will be physical therapy, follow up appointments, doctors visits and new medications that will most likely take time to adjust to.
Racheal is more than able and willing to step up and be the hands and feet for the both of me; however, this also means that she is also unable to work during some or most of this time. Mike works full time; however, between paid time off and short term disability, there will be a substantial amount of time that he will go without receiving a paycheck.
We all know that Racheal & Mike are two of the most loving and caring people. They love each other tremendously and love their kids, family and friends. They rarely go anywhere without making conversation with others, they truly spread light & love wherever they go. Where there is a need, they are often the first to step up and offer to help.
With all of this said, there will be a lot of need in the coming months. This unforeseeable and unexpected medical emergency will come with a lot of immediate changes. This gofund me is being set up with the hope of being able to alleviate some of those unexpected needs. These funds will be utilized for medical bills, medical expenses, doctor follow up visits, physical therapy, lost income and more importantly to allow them both to settle back into to some normalcy without having to worry about the healing and recovery time frame.
I am setting up this GoFundMe to help ease that burden so they can focus on what matters most: healing and being together with their family. Please join me in showing our love to two amazing people Mike and Racheal Smith. Any amount you are able to give will help tremendously in the comings weeks and months. Thank you ALL for standing with Racheal and Mike during this incredibly hard and uncertain time. Let’s show them they are not alone!
If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this link or sending prayers, love and well wishes their way.
P.S. They have both been overwhelmed with love and gratitude for the amazing phone calls and texts that they have both received. Whether you are able to donate or not, please consider sending an encouraging word, text or call, those do wonders during a time like this.
Much Love, Jessica Watts
Organizer and beneficiary

Jessica Watts
Organizer
Cleburne, TX
Racheal Smith
Beneficiary