Love for the Clotfelter Family
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Rhiannon and I'm organizing this campaign on behalf of my very good friends, Dave and Jill Clotfelter.
This past Tuesday afternoon, January 16th, Dave was at work and started having sharp chest pains and feeling light-headed. Dave wanted to wait it out to see if the sensations would pass. Thankfully he wasn't working alone and his buddy Clinton demanded he take him to the hospital. He got to the ER and they started some tests. At 8:40pm he went in for a CT scan. At 9:00pm the scans came back showing "Type A - Aortic Dissection" which is basically a tear in his aorta, which is very serious. The ER doctors immediately called in the surgical team and started prepping Dave for open heart surgery. The heart surgeon told Dave if he didn't get the surgery immediately, he would die. Then he asked him if he had any questions. Dave asked the surgeon if he was a good surgeon. The doctor answered that he was and Dave said, "Ok then let's do it!" :)
At midnight Dave went in for the surgery. The doctors completed the surgery around 7am the next day. The surgery went incredibly well!!!
He has been in the ICU since. He's now off about 80% of the IVs they had him on. He's also off oxygen and slowly moving about. The doctors hope to have him out of ICU by tomorrow and into a recovery room.
Dave is tired but in very good spirits. Jill had been by his side since Tuesday.
I have known Dave for over 20 years and his wife Jill for nearly as long. They are two of the very best people anyone could ever hope to know.
Everyone who knows Dave and his wife Jill (and their 3 daughters: Grace, Gloria and Gabby) know what a kind and giving couple and family they are. Dave and Jill are the kind of people who would go out of their way to help a stranger and never ask for anything in return, they are the kind of people who would give you their last dollar if you were in need, they are the kind of people who always take time to lift someone else's spirits or brighten someone's day.
They would never ask for help themselves but so many friends and family have reached out, wanting to know how they can help and show their support and love.
The wonderful doctors at Beaumont Hospital estimate that Dave will not be able to work for at least 8 weeks. He won't be able to drive for at least 6 weeks. Between lost income and medical expenses, the amount needed to help them manage their bills while Dave is recovering is around $20,000. Any help you can give would be appreciated beyond measure by Dave and Jill. If you are not in the position to give financially, good wishes and positive vibes towards a fast recovery would also be appreciated beyond measure.
Here he is right after surgery, resting and recovering.
Jill snapped this photo today, after she asked him how he's feeling. Note the teddy bear. :)
This past Tuesday afternoon, January 16th, Dave was at work and started having sharp chest pains and feeling light-headed. Dave wanted to wait it out to see if the sensations would pass. Thankfully he wasn't working alone and his buddy Clinton demanded he take him to the hospital. He got to the ER and they started some tests. At 8:40pm he went in for a CT scan. At 9:00pm the scans came back showing "Type A - Aortic Dissection" which is basically a tear in his aorta, which is very serious. The ER doctors immediately called in the surgical team and started prepping Dave for open heart surgery. The heart surgeon told Dave if he didn't get the surgery immediately, he would die. Then he asked him if he had any questions. Dave asked the surgeon if he was a good surgeon. The doctor answered that he was and Dave said, "Ok then let's do it!" :)
At midnight Dave went in for the surgery. The doctors completed the surgery around 7am the next day. The surgery went incredibly well!!!
He has been in the ICU since. He's now off about 80% of the IVs they had him on. He's also off oxygen and slowly moving about. The doctors hope to have him out of ICU by tomorrow and into a recovery room.
Dave is tired but in very good spirits. Jill had been by his side since Tuesday.
I have known Dave for over 20 years and his wife Jill for nearly as long. They are two of the very best people anyone could ever hope to know.
Everyone who knows Dave and his wife Jill (and their 3 daughters: Grace, Gloria and Gabby) know what a kind and giving couple and family they are. Dave and Jill are the kind of people who would go out of their way to help a stranger and never ask for anything in return, they are the kind of people who would give you their last dollar if you were in need, they are the kind of people who always take time to lift someone else's spirits or brighten someone's day.
They would never ask for help themselves but so many friends and family have reached out, wanting to know how they can help and show their support and love.
The wonderful doctors at Beaumont Hospital estimate that Dave will not be able to work for at least 8 weeks. He won't be able to drive for at least 6 weeks. Between lost income and medical expenses, the amount needed to help them manage their bills while Dave is recovering is around $20,000. Any help you can give would be appreciated beyond measure by Dave and Jill. If you are not in the position to give financially, good wishes and positive vibes towards a fast recovery would also be appreciated beyond measure.
Here he is right after surgery, resting and recovering.
Jill snapped this photo today, after she asked him how he's feeling. Note the teddy bear. :)
Organizer and beneficiary
Jason Cherwak
Organizer
Village of Clarkston, MI
Jill Clotfelter
Beneficiary
