Help with expenses after quintuple bypass
Donation protected
Hey everyone. Many of you have been following my journey since last Saturday's "incident". I'm sorry that I haven't posted an update sooner.
For those that don't know, I was 10 miles in to my long run last Saturday when I collapsed with a major coronary event. Luckily, I was running with a friend AND there happened to be an off duty EMT there when I fell. 911 was called immediately, and the EMT performed CPR. As luck would also have it, we were running through a park where they had a AED machine. The EMT was able to bring me back and keep me stable until the ambulance arrived.
On Sunday, they did a heart cath, and found that ALL five of the major arteries in my heart had some blockages (some at 70% or higher). They decided to do a quintuple bypass first thing Monday morning. On Tuesday I rested, and on Wednesday they decided that it would be wise to put a defibrillator in as "insurance".
Since then, I have been getting stronger. I've been able to walk laps around the floor, and practice going up and down stairs. I feel good today, and am looking at going home tomorrow.
The doctor says that I have at least 4-6 weeks before I can return to work. I was already out of PTO before this incident, so I'm looking at my options with short term disability and the such. I'm also starting this fundraiser for those that would like to help out. Even if my Short Term Disability is approved, I'll still lose a good bit of income while I'm recovering.
Anyway, that's a lot of words to type! I just wanted to thank ALL of you from the bottom of my newly reconstructed heart. Your thoughts and prayers have been felt, and I can't wait to get back to running.
If you are able to donate, I truly appreciate it. If not, I truly covet your prayers for a full recovery!
For those that don't know, I was 10 miles in to my long run last Saturday when I collapsed with a major coronary event. Luckily, I was running with a friend AND there happened to be an off duty EMT there when I fell. 911 was called immediately, and the EMT performed CPR. As luck would also have it, we were running through a park where they had a AED machine. The EMT was able to bring me back and keep me stable until the ambulance arrived.
On Sunday, they did a heart cath, and found that ALL five of the major arteries in my heart had some blockages (some at 70% or higher). They decided to do a quintuple bypass first thing Monday morning. On Tuesday I rested, and on Wednesday they decided that it would be wise to put a defibrillator in as "insurance".
Since then, I have been getting stronger. I've been able to walk laps around the floor, and practice going up and down stairs. I feel good today, and am looking at going home tomorrow.
The doctor says that I have at least 4-6 weeks before I can return to work. I was already out of PTO before this incident, so I'm looking at my options with short term disability and the such. I'm also starting this fundraiser for those that would like to help out. Even if my Short Term Disability is approved, I'll still lose a good bit of income while I'm recovering.
Anyway, that's a lot of words to type! I just wanted to thank ALL of you from the bottom of my newly reconstructed heart. Your thoughts and prayers have been felt, and I can't wait to get back to running.
If you are able to donate, I truly appreciate it. If not, I truly covet your prayers for a full recovery!
Organizer
Russell Painter
Organizer
Columbia, SC
