Help for Proudfoot

From Sarah:

On December 10th, four days before his 52nd birthday, Jim suffered a heart attack. He survived, what “they” refer to as the Widowmaker, with a survival rate of 12%. Because of the severity of this type of heart attack, a large percentage of those who survive have permanent damage to their heart. Jim is lucky in that because of the quick response on everyone’s part, he suffered very little, if any, permanent damage.

Jim developed a blood clot, blocking the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. The clot and some plaque buildup closed off the artery with 99% blockage. One of the smaller arteries next to the LAD, was also blocked, but Drs said he would dissolve over time with the stent meds he’s on.

He had been sick the previous two weeks with the bug that was going around, which caused him to develop bronchitis. They believe the repeated strenuous coughing played a part in agitating the heart and blood vessels, contributing to the clot.

When Brownsburg EMS arrived after his 911 call, they took him to Methodist ER. They supplied him with the blood thinners that undoubtedly saved his life. It was less than 90 minutes from the 911 call to having surgery in the CathLab, where they installed a stent, surgically placed in the LAD, through the right femoral artery. He was in ICU for 24 hours after having the stent in, for observation.

He received excellent care in the ICU, and was then moved to a regular room to be monitored for another 24 hours. He was cleared to come home on December 12th.

At this time, the muscles around his heart are incredibly weak, which is to be expected, but the prognosis is that he should make a full recovery if he follows the cardiologist's plan. This recovery will just take time.

While Jim is in cardio rehab for the next 6-8 weeks, he will not be able to work much. His job is strenuous and requires him to exert himself more than is allowed for now. He is limited for the time being on what he can do physically. I have been working full-time, primarily from home, so I can be here when he needs me. We will now have weekly cardio rehab visits and regular visits to his cardiologist.

If you know Jim, he’s really not one to ask for help. On December 10th, he did. Calling 911 himself was the first good decision that ultimately saved his life. We had gone back and forth on whether to create this page, but it is a must for us at this point.

Any funds donated will go to pay for the medical copays and bills we are starting to receive. While I do have insurance, there will be a large portion that becomes our responsibility. Ongoing charges will also be added to the already existing bills coming.

I am grateful to the medical workers who saved his life and our friends and family, who have wrapped us all in so much love.

He is honestly lucky to be alive, let alone his heart being in the shape it's in, considering the trauma he’s been through.

We are grateful and appreciative of any help you may be able to provide. He’s alive and on the road to recovery and eternally thankful. The difficult financial road is on the horizon, and we need a little help.