Help Support Austin's Heart Recovery Journey

Our 24-year-old son, Austin, from Highland County, Virginia, experienced a medical emergency on Monday, September 30. His girlfriend, Anna, took him to the local hospital for a lingering cough and feet beginning to swell. The initial assessment was some kind of viral infection. He was transported by ambulance to Winchester Medical Center Monday night.

The very personable and proactive team at Winchester discovered his heart was beginning to fail. A balloon pump was inserted to begin to strengthen his heart. After 4 days of ICU treatment, it was decided to transfer him to INOVA Fairfax, near DC, for specialized next-level care.

On Saturday, October 5, Austin was transferred by helicopter.

Saturday evening, Austin received an ECMO to relieve his heart. He is heavily sedated and responding well to this. It is the first baby step to a possible LVAD or heart transplant.

The initial cause is still a mystery at this time.

The entire team at INOVA Fairfax Cardiac ICU are some of the most phenomenal and compassionate folks that we’ve ever met.

Friends have asked how to help. We are starting to raise money for medical bills, emergency transport, and temporary housing, etc. near the hospital. Austin is covered under Bob’s job insurance. We just do not know the extent of that coverage at this time.

We will share daily updates as things move forward.

This morning, Tammy, the charge nurse, specifically came and found us to tell us what a pleasure it was to have him in the operating room. She said he was very polite. “Yes ma’am, yes sir, thank you” even in the OR till the moment the sedation kicked in.

She said he is strong, steady, and peaceful. It was refreshing for the whole team. They never see that.

Thanks for your love, generosity, and encouragement!