Caring for Kim
Donation protected
Kim’s PH story
Kim Bradshaw (née Sullivan) was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in 2015 and for the past 5 years, she’s managed this unexpected challenge with courage, humor and the support of family, friends and medical professionals. Kim is also extremely thankful for the understanding and encouragement she receives from her new PH PHamily, the most sympathetic community she never knew she would meet.
When Kim was diagnosed, neither she nor her family had ever heard of PH. So what is it?
“Pulmonary hypertension (PH), is a complex and often misunderstood disease. The term PH means high blood pressure in the lungs. In “regular” hypertension (also known as high blood pressure or “systemic hypertension) the pressure in the arteries throughout the body is higher than it should be. This can be measured with a blood pressure cuff. In PH, the blood vessels specifically in the lungs are affected. They can become stiff, damaged or narrow, and the right side of the heart must work harder to pump blood through.”[1]
Kim has been managing her symptoms since being diagnosed, however she suffers from a serious case of PH and her ultimate treatment is a double lung transplant; she’s been on UCLA’s waiting list for years. As with any incurable disease, there have been ups and downs along the way including a lot of doctor appointments and a few stints in the hospital, but for the most part, things had been going fairly well. That was until February 6, 2020.
This is it
On February 6, Kim was having even more than usual problems breathing and after a visit to urgent care, she was sent by ambulance to the Prebys Cardiovascular Institute in La Jolla, CA. It turns out she suffered congestive heart failure, and fluid was found around her heart and lungs. While the care she's received from the Institute has been superb, the lung transplant is her only remaining treatment option; that will take place at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center when the right donor is found. Having done all they could do for her at Prebys, on February 11, Kim was transferred to UCLA by air ambulance (helicopter).
What this means for Kim
Kim must remain on life support at the UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, CA until she receives the miracle gift of new lungs. This wait and her subsequent recovery could take several months.
To quote Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “the waiting is the hardest part.”
Kim is understandably frightened, as are her family and friends. She wishes to have immediate family with her while she waits for the miracle...wouldn't you? However, Kim’s working class family lives in San Diego, a close to 3-hour one-way drive to Los Angeles on a good day.
Since her diagnosis, Kim’s husband for 37 years, Sherman, has been her primary caretaker, working when he can.
Several months ago, Kim’s daughter Nicole and her family moved back home so she could be with her mom and help her dad. Nicole works full-time, so driving to and from LA every day isn’t an option; she also has a school-age daughter, Kim's granddaughter, Sophie.
Kim’s parents are retired, in their 80’s, don’t drive as much as they used to, and live on fixed incomes. This is very scary for them, too.
Because it may be months until the right donor is found, the family has considered renting an apartment near UCLA. However, rents in Westwood are some of the country’s most expensive outside of Manhattan, NY. Therefore, family will stay in motels, hotels, or vacation rentals like Airbnb. All donations will be used to help Kim’s family pay for travel to and accommodations near Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Kim’s daughter Nicole—a professional banker—will manage the funds. We don't know what this event means in the way of medical costs not covered by insurance, but for now, having family with her is what's most important to all.
Other ways you can help
Kim loves the beach, the sun, the sand, the waves, the ocean air; perhaps you can share some words of encouragement with this theme in mind. One way is to send a personalized greeting card from the UCLA Health website: https://www.uclahealth.org/ecards
Or to the hospital:
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
For patient: Kim Bradshaw, Room 7427
757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Please share Kim’s story with your networks, and help others learn about PH, “the silent killer.”
@PulmonaryHypertensionAssociation
#OurHearts
#PHAssociation
#Heart2CurePH
#PHAware
#PHCommunity
#RareDiseaseDay
Thank you for your generosity, and for taking the time to learn more about this rare disease and Kim's struggle with it. God bless you!
[1] “About Pulmonary Hypertension,” Pulmonary Hypertension Association, accessed February 14, 2020, https://phassociation.org/patients/aboutph/
Kim Bradshaw (née Sullivan) was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in 2015 and for the past 5 years, she’s managed this unexpected challenge with courage, humor and the support of family, friends and medical professionals. Kim is also extremely thankful for the understanding and encouragement she receives from her new PH PHamily, the most sympathetic community she never knew she would meet.
When Kim was diagnosed, neither she nor her family had ever heard of PH. So what is it?
“Pulmonary hypertension (PH), is a complex and often misunderstood disease. The term PH means high blood pressure in the lungs. In “regular” hypertension (also known as high blood pressure or “systemic hypertension) the pressure in the arteries throughout the body is higher than it should be. This can be measured with a blood pressure cuff. In PH, the blood vessels specifically in the lungs are affected. They can become stiff, damaged or narrow, and the right side of the heart must work harder to pump blood through.”[1]
Kim has been managing her symptoms since being diagnosed, however she suffers from a serious case of PH and her ultimate treatment is a double lung transplant; she’s been on UCLA’s waiting list for years. As with any incurable disease, there have been ups and downs along the way including a lot of doctor appointments and a few stints in the hospital, but for the most part, things had been going fairly well. That was until February 6, 2020.
This is it
On February 6, Kim was having even more than usual problems breathing and after a visit to urgent care, she was sent by ambulance to the Prebys Cardiovascular Institute in La Jolla, CA. It turns out she suffered congestive heart failure, and fluid was found around her heart and lungs. While the care she's received from the Institute has been superb, the lung transplant is her only remaining treatment option; that will take place at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center when the right donor is found. Having done all they could do for her at Prebys, on February 11, Kim was transferred to UCLA by air ambulance (helicopter).
What this means for Kim
Kim must remain on life support at the UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, CA until she receives the miracle gift of new lungs. This wait and her subsequent recovery could take several months.
To quote Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “the waiting is the hardest part.”
Kim is understandably frightened, as are her family and friends. She wishes to have immediate family with her while she waits for the miracle...wouldn't you? However, Kim’s working class family lives in San Diego, a close to 3-hour one-way drive to Los Angeles on a good day.
Since her diagnosis, Kim’s husband for 37 years, Sherman, has been her primary caretaker, working when he can.
Several months ago, Kim’s daughter Nicole and her family moved back home so she could be with her mom and help her dad. Nicole works full-time, so driving to and from LA every day isn’t an option; she also has a school-age daughter, Kim's granddaughter, Sophie.
Kim’s parents are retired, in their 80’s, don’t drive as much as they used to, and live on fixed incomes. This is very scary for them, too.
Because it may be months until the right donor is found, the family has considered renting an apartment near UCLA. However, rents in Westwood are some of the country’s most expensive outside of Manhattan, NY. Therefore, family will stay in motels, hotels, or vacation rentals like Airbnb. All donations will be used to help Kim’s family pay for travel to and accommodations near Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Kim’s daughter Nicole—a professional banker—will manage the funds. We don't know what this event means in the way of medical costs not covered by insurance, but for now, having family with her is what's most important to all.
Other ways you can help
Kim loves the beach, the sun, the sand, the waves, the ocean air; perhaps you can share some words of encouragement with this theme in mind. One way is to send a personalized greeting card from the UCLA Health website: https://www.uclahealth.org/ecards
Or to the hospital:
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
For patient: Kim Bradshaw, Room 7427
757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Please share Kim’s story with your networks, and help others learn about PH, “the silent killer.”
@PulmonaryHypertensionAssociation
#OurHearts
#PHAssociation
#Heart2CurePH
#PHAware
#PHCommunity
#RareDiseaseDay
Thank you for your generosity, and for taking the time to learn more about this rare disease and Kim's struggle with it. God bless you!
[1] “About Pulmonary Hypertension,” Pulmonary Hypertension Association, accessed February 14, 2020, https://phassociation.org/patients/aboutph/Organizer
Nicole Taggart
Organizer
Lemon Grove, CA