Help Support Sean’s Heart Transplant Journey.

On July 31, my brother Sean’s cardiologist asked that Sean go to the ER on Nantucket due to critical lab results. On August 1, Sean was medflighted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Doctors found that Sean was in cardiogenic shock and multi-organ failure as a result of heart failure.

A genetic heart condition called LMNA-dilated cardiomyopathy runs in our family. Sean had signs of this condition as a teenager and was closely monitored. Unfortunately, Sean tested positive for the genetic mutation as a young adult and had a implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placed. A few years ago, Sean developed heart failure but was still able to work and live mostly normally. This summer, however, he quickly decompensated.

Upon arriving at Brigham and Women’s, Sean’s doctors immediately began working him up for a heart transplant. On August 8, Sean was listed Status 2 on the transplant list. In the meantime, the doctors stabilized Sean with an Impella, a mechanical device inserted into the heart to assist it to pump more blood. Some days are better than others, but overall Sean is feeling much better, is up walking, and is determined to heal quickly. With the Impella, Sean can’t leave the hospital and is living in the cardiac ICU until he receives the gift of life, a heart transplant. We are blessed that the healthcare team at Brigham and Women’s saved Sean’s life and is caring for him every day.

Status 2 on the transplant list could mean a person waits just days, weeks, or even months for a donor heart. My mother, Mary, went through heart transplantation in 2021 at Mass General Hospital, so our family is familiar with the process and all of the medical and travel expenses involved. Some family is staying in Boston with Sean and others have been traveling on and off the island or from other states. Our family will need to rent an apartment in Boston for the foreseeable future while we wait for a donor heart. This apartment will also be where Sean heals after he is discharged (with the help of family), as he needs to be close to Brigham for frequent post-transplant appointments. As we all know, Boston is incredibly expensive, so we humbly ask for any and all donations to make this journey just a little bit easier.

We always knew Sean was loved by many, but just seeing the sheer number of people that love and support Sean has been a pleasure to witness. He is clearly a popular guy! To anyone that has financially contributed, sent gifts or gift cards, cared for our beloved pets, texted, called, or dropped by to visit Sean, thank you. And, to anyone who is willing or able to donate, THANK YOU! Your support would mean the world during this difficult time.