Matthew Moore of Shallotte, NC is the first recipient of the Carmat Total Artificial heart in North America.
My husband had a heart attack on June 16, 2021. His surgeons and doctors at Duke University Hospital spent the next 2 weeks doing everything they could to keep his heart from failing completely, finally making the decision that he will need a heart transplant. But his body had sustained such trauma the tranplant would not be possible in his current state. So, they had to think outside the box.
The FDA had approved for a trial to begin for a device developed in France called the Carmat total artificial heart. The trial was to begin July 1, 2021 and on July 12th, Matthew had surgery replacing his heart with this device making him the first trial participant.
For the next 2.5 months, Matthew had to learn to walk again, and perform functions of daily life we often take for granted. Finally on September 24, 2021 he was able to come home to me and our 3 year old little boy who had provided him the daily motivation to keep pushing forward.
Matthew's doctors did not want us to return to our home in Shallotte with the device. Being 3 hours away and not being able to fly him back to Durham in case of emergency proved too high of a risk.
Coming home meant having to rent a home here in Durham, NC until after he gets the heart transplant. He is currently on the transplant list however still has alot of physical therapy to do before the doctors feel he is medically optimized to undergo the transplant surgery.
Matthew has proven to be such a fighter and God has gotten him this far and we hope to continue to be able to share his amazing testimony with all who will listen.
Having to leave my job behind, I am currently looking for a nursing position I can do from home while helping Matthew continue his efforts to become strong enough to receive a real heart.
Continuing to have monthly bills at our home in Shallotte and the monthly rent in Durham, along with all the medical expenses we owe, has caused an unbelievable amount of stress, especially since our income has come to a halt.
We have an incredible circle of friends and family who have been able to donate and for this we could not be more thankful. Previous donations have provided us the opportunity to be able to stay by Matthew's side during those critical times in the hospital when we were not sure he would make it and through the recovery process.
However at this time, I must swallow my pride and make our own GoFundMe page to allow anyone who is financially able and feels led to help us, to do so. Any amount those who are able to give will be greatly appreciated and allow us to keep our focus on getting Matthew through this next chapter of our journey so we can return home to our life in Shallotte with our precious little boy and a new heart.