Help Shon Thrive After Heart Surgery Challenges

Story

Hi there, my name is Shon. On September 21st, when I went to urgent care for heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue from simple tasks like taking out the trash. An EKG revealed I needed immediate care, and I was rushed to the ER. I was admitted that same day, without realizing my body had been in serious distress. My heart was now enlarged, fluid had built up around it and in my lungs, and my legs were swollen. I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (Afib). After several tests, doctors confirmed that I needed surgery. Just three days after being admitted, I underwent heart surgery to replace a valve with a mechanical St. Jude prosthesis. Fortunately, the procedure was a minimal invasive and recovery would be much quicker than open heart, and I’m forever grateful to the amazing team of surgeons and nurses who took such great care of me. Now, I face a new reality. I’ll be on blood thinners for life and will need to manage daily challenges, like avoiding injuries that could lead to complications. To make things more difficult, I had just moved to a new city for a new job—alone, with no friends or family nearby. One week into the job, I was in the hospital for surgery, and no one saw this coming. Especially me. Unfortunately, I’ve been denied short-term disability because I haven’t worked at my new job long enough, and I’ve already used all of my PTO for the rest of the year while I was hospitalized. My doctors estimate I’ll be able to return to work by November, possibly sooner if I can get medical clearance with some restrictions. I’m reaching out for a little assistance to help cover the unexpected medical bills that was not covered because I am out of network, until I can get back to a stable income. Any support, no matter how small, would be deeply appreciated as I navigate this unexpected journey. 10/13 updates to come… Thank you, and God bless.