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- My name is Nicolle Veatch. In 2004 I was a very successful, working mom, raising a 9 year old son. March of that year, just after celebrating my son’s birthday, I woke up with a high fever. I went to urgent care and was diagnosed with a head cold. As the week progressed, I wasn’t improving. I went to see a PA (physicians assistant) friend who ordered X-rays. My lungs were so full of a fluid that I was taken by ambulance to a specialty hospital. I was hooked up to an IV with fluids and Vancomycin drip. By the next night I was moved to ICU and upon arrival, I fell unconscious and was intubated. I was in a coma for one month. During that time I went into full cardiac arrest twice and had multiple blood transfusions for sepsis. My Cardiologist was greatly concerned as I was the 6th person with what was finally diagnosed as MRSA. I survived, but not without Cardiac problems. The virus went to my heart and caused viral cardiomyopathy, which wasn’t determined until 2010. I went in for an unrelated procedure and as I was being prepped, the head of cardiology suspected that I needed a cardiac release because I have a heart condition. I had an echocardiogram which verified that my heart had gotten much worse. The reports from 2004 compared to 2010 confirmed my heart had been in failure and I needed a heart transplant.
- I am unable to work the caliber of career I had before, leaving me in a position foreign to me. I don’t have insurance any longer because spouse was released from his job in January and receiving a new heart is very expensive and not fully covered by insurances.
- With my reduced income now the house is being sold from under me. I do have the option to buy out their interest in the property, but I don’t have the means. My friends and family have helped me as much as they can, but this is bigger.
- I have never been one to ask for help, but this has been such a humbling journey and I’ve been served with a 60 day eviction. But they have found loopholes and I have to be out by if I don’t come up with the money. I’m trying to raise funds for both my medical bills and to save my house. It’s a lot and I know people are struggling, but I am asking anyone to give what they can if they can. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.