My name is Kate Durham, but most people know me as Bill’s wife. ‍♀️ He was the best (in my opinion) locksmith in the area for 30+ years and the best (again, my opinion) “smoker” man, too - we are talkin’ pork butts, chicken, ribs, and turkeys. I say he “was,” because he can no longer do either of those things. ( For anyone that doesn’t know, over the past few years , Bill's has dealt with multiple surgeries and procedures associated with heart disease. )

Ask anyone and they will tell you that he has a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone ! Well, now he needs a new heart.❤️The exciting part is that he will get one in the next few weeks at MUSC in Charleston. While we are grateful to God, humbled, and excited... we are also a little overwhelmed by it all.

Bill will go to MUSC to begin the transplant journey on August 3. He will have a right heart catheterization and will then be admitted to ICU and given a balloon heart pump. He will remain in ICU until a donor heart is received (which could be a few weeks) and then he will undergo heart transplant surgery. He will remain in ICU for at least one week post-surgery, and then have a minimum of two more weeks recovering in the hospital. He will be placed on immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics. Once he is discharged, we will be making bi weekly and then weekly trips to MUSC for quite a few weeks. The first couple weeks ,after discharge, we will remain in Charleston.

The caregiver (that's me ‍♀️) is asked to be there each day 8-5. I need to learn his meds and proper care. While we do have insurance to cover much of the cost of Bill's surgery and hospital stay, I will need to live in Charleston during Bill's hospitalization. The addition of living expenses, daily parking, medications not covered with copay, food, and gas quickly add up. So, as difficult as it is to ask, we are asking for your prayerful consideration in financially supporting us through this journey. Any gift will be used wisely and is greatly appreciated.

Even more than financial support, we ask for your support in prayer for us, and especially Bill, as we begin this journey. God has been so faithful to us as we navigate this new course and we give Him the praise and glory. Thank you in advance to each of you for helping, supporting, and sharing our story. God bless.❤️❤️