Hi I am Rachel Melhorn,

I have to make a journey to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota March 21-26 2026, to meet a surgeon about open heart surgery by thinning out my muscle in the left ventricle of my heart to increase my blood flow. By doing this surgery, it will increase both the quality of my life and my lifespan.

I was diagnosed with a genetic heart defect, Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy, ten years ago. I went to the doctor thinking I had Pneumonia. The doctor sent me to get a chest x-ray and it was discovered that my heart was enlarged. Long story short, I did have pneumonia. I was sent to a cardiologist, who gave me the diagnosis after many tests and months. I was also told I could drop dead.

Since then, I have been through a lot. I have been in a coma where my muscles atrophied, and I had to rebuild those muscles so I could walk.

I moved from Denver to the small town of Oberlin, Kansas in 2022, to be closer to my sister Heidi and my niece Kelsey Sheats.

One year later, I ended up on a vent because of a cold that I should have gone to see a Doctor about sooner.

All very scary things. I have accumulated a lot of bills. I need help to fund this very important trip to meet with the surgeon for a consult and again for the surgery.

Any help would be appreciated, even just sharing the page.

Thanks and blessings to all.