Hello, my name is Ellen, and this fundraiser is for my husband, Jim Higgs. Jim needs another life-saving surgery for his heart.

Jim was born with a bicuspid aortic heart valve (congenital heart defect), which was not discovered until 2017. Jim was 54 years old at that time. He had never had any real serious health issues up until this time. He's active, healthy, and always on the go. This discovery flipped our world upside down. Our next two years were filled with echocardiograms and cardiologist visits. The valve had to be monitored because it was severely calcified. We knew surgery was on the horizon. It was in January of 2019 that we were told it was time. In March 2019, Jim underwent a minimally invasive heart procedure where they installed a bovine aortic valve. He got through the surgery successfully. The recovery process was challenging and long for us. It wasn't until last year that he started to feel like himself again.

Jim continued his annual echocardiograms and cardiologist visits. This would be our new way of life. In our 2022 follow-up, Jim's echocardiogram indicated an issue with the bovine valve and his aorta. Jim went for a follow-up CT where it was confirmed that his new valve was failing and his aorta was dilated. Our emotions ran wild as we tried to come to grips with what we were being told. We were referred to a new surgeon who shared that the valve used in Jim's previous surgery, the one that is failing, is too small for Jim's overall size accelerating the valve's failure. The valves are supposed to last 10 - 15 years. Unfortunately, Jim's current valve would not last five years; we are just over three years now. We were told that surgery is needed and soon.

So, on 9/26/2022, Jim will head into his second heart surgery, where our new surgeon, Dr. Sharma, will install a new, larger, aortic bovine valve, increase the aortic root, perform a Maze procedure, and a left atrial appendage ligation. This surgery is far more complex and requires a full sternotomy. The surgery will be performed at Mercy General Hospital. Jim will be in ICU for 2 - 3 days and then moved into a regular room where his total stay could be up to 8 days. The recovery from there is three months.

Jim and I own and operate Higgs Construction. We are a small business in CA, and our company is our primary source of income. Jim will not be able to perform any work for three months. Our insurance is through Covered California. It carries high co-pays and deductibles as well as high out-of-pocket costs. I work part-time at a local doctor's office and part-time managing our business operations. Not having our company operating for three months will be a hardship financially.

Jim is incredibly loving and giving in his personal and professional life. He never turns people away if they need help. In every business project we take on, he always gives more. Many of our clients turn into wonderful friends. As his wife of 32 years, I have watched him endlessly give of himself. I wish we were not here, going through all of this again. However, I am very grateful for the love and support we have already been given through prayers and supportive thoughts.

It was just yesterday, it feels like, that I posted our original fundraiser for Jim's first surgery. It's heartbreaking for me to be here again, attempting to find the words to ask for help a second time. Our gratitude goes out to everyone for any financial donation, prayers of healing and support or just the sharing of our story.

In Gratitude,

The Higgs Family