We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement as Matt faces this difficult journey. Thank you for visiting.

January 2, 2023

Journal entry by Emily Brandt

As many of you know, in October 2022 Matt was diagnosed with acute congestive heart failure and a blood clot on his heart. After several hospitalizations, he was placed on medications and oxygen support that were expected to improve heart function. Under the care of an amazing GP, gastro specialist, and cardiologist we hoped to see improvements in his heart function which was as low as 11% in October. After not seeing change we sought a second opinion leading us to a wonderful cardiology team in Murray Utah and another hospitalization in Late December 22. One day later he was diagnosed with RSV and moved to the ICU. Sunday night he came very close to losing his life due to extra strain on his heart after some medication made him ill.

We received news he is expected to remain hospitalized until the best course can be determined and improvements made. His heart is enlarged. Both sides are weak. He has leaky valves. The medication he was on did not shrink the clot. Ejection fracture is 15%. His blood pressure is low. Vessels are pristine- nothing to fix. Due to his heart condition, this will likely mean he must qualify for a heart transplant, as a ventricle pump assist device is not an option. Heart transplant or meds to buy time. We had to make some tough decisions on how aggressive resuscitation efforts should be if they are needed, given the scare we just had.

Today, Matt is resting in ICU as the doctors assemble a team of specialists, consultants, financial coordinators, social workers, etc. This team will determine if Matt can be a candidate for a heart transplant. As his cardiologist said this morning, they are looking for the right hail mary pass to throw and we are praying for our miracle.

New update: Dr's say Matt will have to remain in ICU until he can receive a heart transplant or eventually return home under hospice care. With the health insurance they have it will barely cover his time in ICU waiting for the transplant, yet alone the transplant. I know that Matt is loved by so many people and we need to show him our love right now with opening up our wallets. It has not been easy for Matt and Emily to allow this, but they need a big rally right now. Let us help them now, in their time of need, whether it is with prayers or financial help, all is appreciated. We will keep posting on here updates as we know more.