My brother and I are reaching out to ask for help for our mom. She has recently been having increased heart problems, and her tests have now led to open-heart surgery.

Phyllis has been amazing, being the stronghold for Dad’s medical issues, including recent emergency back surgery in February. This led to Greg losing his job and then juggling insurance and going without for some of it. Mom was right there making sure he never missed an appointment, medication, or physical therapy. She did all this while still holding down her full time job and being an active grandma.

Unfortunately Phyllis started developing more and more heart problems and was referred to Mercy in Des Moines. We found out she has a bicuspid aortic valve with severe stenosis and a major blockage in her LAD artery which they have named the “widow maker”. She will undergo open heart surgery and have a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft done with valve replacement at the same time and then be in ICU afterwards. She will have a rigorous recovery afterwards and we so desperately want to take any burden we can off her shoulders.

Now Phyllis needs help so we can take care of her as she goes through her battle.