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Larry Lehane's Heart Transplant

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Hi All,

I have a very good Friend, Larry Lehane, who will be undergoing a heart transplant in the next few weeks.  I suggested to Larry that we do a "GoFundMe" page, to help him with daily living costs, medical bills etc., as he hasn't been, and won't be able to work for some time.  Larry is one of the most giving and compassionate people I know, and now it's him that needs our help. Let's gather together as family and friends and help a good friend out!  Most of you have probably met him at one of our gatherings. I asked Larry to tell his story...

Thank you for caring,

Susan Houlihan

Here's Larry's story, in his words:

Family and Friends,

I’ve always prided myself in being able to adjust to the many changing phases of life we all experience from tragedy to happiness.  As we all know, the ability for us to adjust our way of life is achieved psychologically (in a way that affects our thought process or relates to our emotional state) I also am religious and incorporate daily prayer and faith. The difficulty in life I have been going through and that presently haunts me is physical which cannot be fully overcome mentally.

To the point: In March of this year I agreed to be referred to U of C transplant department to be worked up for acceptance for a heart transplant.

How I got here: ….. Most of you are aware of my extensive cardiac history starting in 1995 at age 37 when I had my first angioplasty, followed by multiple stents throughout my forties and fifties and a failed bypass at age 57 due to nowhere to attach the RCA bypass grafts because of the number of stents. (I’ve had over 60 stents which I’m told is a Guinness world record although I’ve never looked into it).  Since they had already cracked my chest open, they went ahead and bypassed a part of the Circumflex, the OM and the LAD (widow maker)coronary arteries. Not feeling better I sought out second opinions from Rush and U of C medical centers. Long story short.. on second opinion, the bypasses that were done were unnecessary and only created competing blood flow between the vessels and the graphs. Therefore, the past two years I continued to have blockages and then stents placed in the remaining cardiac arteries until February when they deemed it useless to stent any more . Once again I returned to UofC for a second opinion and was told they agree with no more stenting and also the unnecessary bypass graphs appear to have shutdown and occluded. After meeting with the cardiologist and discussing my options which were 1) continue to treat my declining cardiac function with increasing medications, etc. but, I won’t feel better and life expectancy is shortened or 2) be referred to the transplant evaluation and if accepted will feel better and live longer after a transplant.

My choice: Option 2 for the following reasons: I don’t want my children to lose their father sooner than they have to. I was 22 when I lost my father(63)and I was just starting to understand him. Then, when I was 33 my sister(36), in my forties I lost my other sister(54), my brother(52) and finally my mother. It’s very hard when you don’t have a father, mother or a sibling to share your happiness or sorrow, holidays, birthdays or even ask advice or just to visit with. I believe that the above added to my cardiac issues.                                                                     I thought long and hard if I should accept a chance for a heart transplant. I came to the conclusion, as the overused cliché says, “I’m still here for a reason”, now what is it?? To walk my daughters down the aisle on their special day? YES (I hope so my youngest is just 16 lol). To be there for all my kids as they navigate life and need to ask, tell or share something with me? YES… and many more reasons!  

I mentioned at the start I’ve always been able to adjust or overcome life’s changes mentally except there is one... and it also is a reason that I want this transplant. I pray(ed) for the opportunity to give me the time to continue trying  and to successfully reunite with two of my sons. My two younger sons have not spoken or communicated with me since September of 2010, It hurts and weighs on me even more then when I had lost my parents and siblings.

You see each time I received a stent I felt completely normal physically and I was able to resume my daily life and activities while enjoying my family, being available to console, teach, listen or just be there to help others especially all my 6 children. Now, my heart is weak and damaged after the multiple procedures which prevent me from physically being able to do everyday activities, work, continue to help, and support physically or financially. It’s terrible when I don’t feel old or can’t be able to do everyday activities, help coach or travel or simply camp without thinking I can’t commit to that or I might die because of my heart.

Where I’m at: As of July13, I have been placed on the transplant list as a status 2,  I have my subclavian ultrasound scheduled for Wednesday July 18th to determine which type of balloon pump should be used. Once they have the results I will be admitted to the hospital to insert the balloon pump to assist my heart and remain in the hospital until transplanted. I will be status 1a on admission, which is the top of the list. I can normally expect a donor in as little as 1-2 weeks or I can wait up to 6 weeks .

The humbling finale: I simply cannot afford all of the costs I am about to accrue. Even though I have continually tried, I haven’t been able to sustain work since the bypass in 2016 without heart issues preventing me. I have no idea how much of this million dollar (I’m not exaggerating) procedure or ongoing treatment will be covered by my insurance. I wrote this page after speaking with a true caring friend and family member who understand how the monetary burden of heart transplant surgery and continued follow-up treatment costs would have on me. I truly feel embarrassed and ashamed to even ask for money, but when it will give me a better opportunity at returning to work and living and an active, happy, healthy life, I will do whatever it takes. If you can spare any amount, I couldn’t tell you what it would mean to me.  If not, believe me I understand. If you pray, please prayer for a successful heart transplant and a quick healthy recovery .

Thanks a million! (pun intended)

Larry (Laurence)
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Donations 

  • Dan Heraty
    • $50
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Susan Houlihan
Organizer
Lombard, IL
Laurence Lehane
Beneficiary

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