Josh’s Unexpected Heart Failure and Medical Costs

On Saturday March 4, Josh randomly called me (his Mom) to see if I wanted to hangout and watch the UFC fights. When he got to my house he mentioned that he wasn’t feeling well and he had a cough. He fell asleep on my couch and Sunday morning his cough was worse so we made an appointment at the CVS Minute Clinic. Josh had been back with the doctor for a few minutes when the doctor asked me to come in. She said he needed to go to the ER for an EKG as soon as possible. His resting heart rate was more than double what it should be, and his blood pressure was very high. He had cold sweats and the color had drained from his face. She told us she was an ER doctor filling in at that location just for the day, and given her training she recognized symptoms that required urgent attention. Josh felt strongly that he just had the flu or “allergies” and didn’t want to go to the ER (he still had a little PTSD from a hospitalization in July 2021). We went home briefly and I was praying for peace with his decision to “wait it out” but the spirit kept prompting me that we had to go NOW. Josh reluctantly let me drive him to Baylor Hospital in Grapevine, just to prove a point that he was ok! He was taken back immediately and in short order they had run tests and confirmed he was in congestive heart failure and the blood was backing up into his lungs and abdomen. The cough he’d had was a “cardio cough.” Josh was admitted to the cardiology unit and over the next several days we would learn that the viral infection in July 2021 had attacked the heart, and a mild case of Omicron around New Years took a second swing at it.

Unfortunately the damage to his heart was severe (Dr. said imagine if you were trying to run a full marathon in 10 minutes - that’s how hard his heart was working every second to keep him alive at the time we got to Baylor). The average person's heart pumps at 65-75%. Josh’s heart now pumps at 20%. The damage to his heart puts him at risk for sudden cardiac arrest so he’s currently being monitored to determine if medicine alone will be sufficient, or if he’ll need an IDC implant (internal defibrillator).

Josh spent a week in the hospital, and will continue to take heart failure meds daily and have recurring visits and tests to monitor his heart. His Apple Watch and several apps are now tracking his health and heart rate! (He’s back at his house again but thanks to technology I’ll get alerts if something’s off). Josh has lost over 40lbs, including 25lbs of excess fluid drained off him in the hospital. He’s embraced a heart healthy diet, and lifestyle changes that will support his longtime health and help his heart keep up with him. He looks and feels better than he has in months! He’s even learning to cook!

We’re still getting our heads wrapped around how much life has changed for him in the last few weeks, but we are grateful that Josh is alive, and that there’s hope for his future even if it comes with significant life changes. We’ve learned a whole new cardiovascular vocabulary, the outrageous price of heart failure medication, the depth of our faith, and the magnitude of love, support and resources we have around us. We’re committed to walking by faith and not by fear. And, Josh has learned that you never question a mothers intuition, ha!

Every time we felt overwhelmed that first week, someone showed up with exactly what we needed at that moment. Including many of you reading this - THANK YOU!

Several of you have reached out asking how you can help Josh (again, THANK YOU!). Unfortunately, at the time this happened Josh was underinsured. He’ll be on an improved insurance plan as of 4/1. His hospital bills are coming in now and even with the covered portion, his out of pocket cost for hospital/procedures, life vest and meds is $50K.

I learned as a single parent that it does take a village! We’re grateful for all of you that have and will continue to surround us with prayer, love, and encouragement along the journey. 

For those that might also like to help reduce Josh’s hospital costs or near term medical expenses, I’ve created this GoFundMe account. Any funds raised will go directly to paying down his hospital bill and ongoing medical expenses.

We’ll keep you updated on Josh’s continued progress. If anyone wants tips on good no-sodium foods, Josh is becoming an expert!

Joyfully,

Terri and Josh