Joel’s Journey - Sudden Heart Attack Recovery Fund

Thursday, March 25, 2021, Becky took Joel to Urgent care thinking he may have gotten the COVID-19 virus. The previous few days started with coughing, and not feeling great, sleeping in a separate room, and quarantining till he got tested. With a negative test, he was advised to get a breathing treatment for a possible pneumonia.   Little did we know the next few hours would take a gut wrenching turn and Joel would be put on life support.

What was initially thought to be the virus turned out to be a major Heart Attack. The doctor said Joel had been having a heart attack for a few days and had Becky, not brought him in when she did, Joel would not have made it through the night. Making matters worse, Joel has also presented with diabetes which has gone undetected and untreated further damaging his heart, kidneys and lungs. His glucose and A1C levels were through the roof, and that alone should have put him in a coma.  

Whenever Joel moves, his blood pressure plummets, fluid rushes to his lungs and his already weak body shuts down even more. Because of this, within a few hours of being admitted, Joel was put in a medically induced coma. This coma will allow Joel’s body to rest and add precious time to allow the doctors to run tests and figure out exactly what the immediate next steps are in keeping Joel alive.

As of March 27, 2021, Joel has been on FULL Life support. He is on a heart and lung bypass machine as well as kidney dialysis as his kidneys are very damaged, they are not able to filter out the fluids that are building up in his body.  We are hopeful that he can be weaned off life support soon.

As the doctors at the University of Washington diligently work on saving Joel’s life, it is very clear that Joel will need either a Heart transplant some kind of device that will help his heart function.

 God answered Becky’s prayers and sent her Joel almost 4 years ago.  It was a whirlwind romance, but one thing Becky’s friends and family know to be true, is that Joel adores her and is an incredible blessing not only to Becky, but also to her 2 young children. Joel stepped into a father role even before meeting Becky’s children, and he absolutely loves Ethan and Ellie to pieces.  It goes without saying that they are devastated and left with so many questions and fears of their own.

Many of you have graciously asked how you can help during this time, so we have set up this GoFundMe account to help contribute to the short- and long-term medical costs it will take to get Joel back home and on the road to full recovery.  Joel and Becky are loved by so many, and so on behalf of the Mclachlan family, We humbly ask for your help.

·        First, we ask that you continue to pray for a full recovery and healing of Joel’s body.
·        Second,  we ask if you are able, to contribute, financially.

It goes without saying that medical bills are extremely expensive, and while they do have health insurance, copays, childcare, hotel room costs to be close to Joel, gas and food are not included in the extra daily occurrences that are sure to pile up.   This is the immediate need. The long-term need is still unknown, but we do know that it's going to be a long road of recovery and with that comes weeks and months of time off for Becky, and extra expenses.  As soon as we know more about what the future needs are, we will let everyone know. 

We know that this is a trying time for everyone, so we graciously ask, if you can contribute, even just a little, please consider helping out Becky’s family during this horrible and uncertain time. We believe in fishes and loaves, and stand firm in God’s promise to provide even during a pandemic.  

Just as Becky and Joel both prayed for each other 4 years ago, today, their family and friends stand together and pray for a miracle of complete healing.     

 “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 
Mark 11:24  

Becky would like to bless you with this song that has been on repeat since this nightmare began, and send some encouragement to us all that “We are gonna see a victory, For the battle belongs to You Lord!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNd-PbVhnvA 


For the most current updates please visit: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joelmclachlan