Help Noelle Recover After Her Heart Transplant

If you've seen any of the plays or musicals in Hollister, watched the Popping Jazz Band at festivals, or went to a local establishment with live music in the Gilroy or Hollister area, you've probably seen Noelle Sladon performing. My wife Noelle has been part of the community, helping others with her practice, participating in plays and musicals, and being a member of her church since we moved to Hollister in 1996.

On December, 6th, my wife Noelle had a heart transplant at Stanford. Our family is incredibly grateful it was successful and we still have her with us today. Everything happened so fast. After what we thought was going to be a regular day with a normal procedure, she ended up being admitted immediately and having a ballon pump surgically put in to keep her old heart pumping. The emotional rollercoaster was unimaginable. Everything happened so fast and it's still something Noelle is working through today. Luckily, Noelle is with us and about to leave the hospital to continue her recovery not far from Stanford.

She is now able to get out of bed with assistance and walk down the hospital hall with aid. She will need at home care support to start and certain medical equipment until she is back on her feet. She is still adjusting to her new heart and the 15 prescriptions she is taking each day. She has specific food restrictions and is required to be living nearby Stanford hospital for the next few months adding lodging costs. Physical and occupational therapies are still needed to help her recover. The costs of everything is addingup quickly and have been much more than we had thought or anticipated. Noelle has had to suspend her MFT practice which has reduced the family income considerably.

The funds raised will be used specifically to help with the additional costs of at-home care support, medical equipment, and additional physical therapy.

We are all hoping she will be able to make a speedy recovery and get back to a more normal life. This will help aid in getting her that support. She looks forward to being able to get out and see everyone and participate with the community again. Here is a photo we took not too long before her transplant. Thank you for your support to help Noelle get back on her feet!

Noelle & Steve Sladon