Donation protected
Hello all,
My name is Bernadett. I am building this page on behalf of my best friend, my love and husband of over 11 years, Matt Bialach.
For those that know Matt, you probably know him as a very kind, friendly, gentle and loving person. You can always find him smiling and filled with happiness and joy and his optimism for life shines through to everyone he meets and knows. What you may not know is that he has a very serious heart condition and has lived a life with many health complications.
A bit about Matt's past...
When he was age 15, shortly after finding a large lump in his neck, he was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph nodes). He had to undergo countless tests and scans, several very painful procedures, received many months of radiation therapy, and spent most of his days physically sick and weak from the radiation. These were of course very difficult times for both he and his family. But, as he always has, Matt stayed hopeful and optimistic and eventually beat the cancer and has had no evidence of the disease since.
Now the present...
After suffering a heart attack in June of 2011 at age 33, Matt was diagnosed with severe coronary artery disease (heart disease). Fortunately, the doctors were able to place a stent in his right coronary artery (RCA) before any major damage was done to his heart. The RCA is one of the three major coronary arteries in the heart. It was then we also learned he had severe aortic valve stenosis and would need an aortic valve replacement within the next 3 to 5 years. He spent a week in the hospital recovering before being released.
Matt began cardiac rehabilitation shortly after being discharged from the hospital and we felt he was making good progress. Then, in November of 2011 he began having chest pains again. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with myocardial ischemia and was back in the catheterization lab for another angiogram. After overcoming some complications and receiving a shock from the defibrillator to re-sync his heart, he had a second stent placed, this time in his left anterior descending artery (LAD - aka, the widow maker). The LAD is also one of the three major arteries in the heart. It was then he learned he also had carotid artery disease. He spent another week in the hospital before being discharged.
(Below is a video of Matt's previous cardiologist talking about his second procedure as he was part of a case study. Click HERE to read about the study)
The difference between Matt's heart disease vs. the more commonly diagnosed heart disease is, Matt's disease is not due to diet, smoking, drugs, diabetes, high blood pressure nor is it hereditary. Rather, it is what the doctors and researchers call radiation induced heart disease (RIHD). The cardiologists are 100% certain his heart disease is the direct result of the radiation therapy he received 21 years ago. There is nothing he could have done to prevent the development or progression of his disease or condition. In fact, if he didn't have his heart attack when and where he did, it could have been too late. It was truly a blessing in disguise.
Though the severity of Matt's heart disease continued to progress, twenty months went by without any major complications. In that time he also finished his second round of cardiac rehabilitation. Then in July of 2013, after a week of Matt feeling ill, he and I drove to the ER to have him checked out. We were very lucky that we did. The doctors discovered he had a bilateral pulmonary embolism (numerous blood clots in both lungs) and was in very critical condition. He spent the next two weeks in the hospital receiving treatment before being discharged and under the care of a home nurse and weekly visits to the coumadin clinic.
After roughly six months of coumadin treatment, Matt's blood continued to thin from the medication. He also became very light and frail due to his restricted activity and diet. As a result, he had an accidental fall that caused a broken rib, a bruised kidney, a substantial amount of internal bleeding and a leg injury that immobilized him for over a month. He spent Christmas day in the ER and several more days in and out of the hospital being tested and monitored before the doctors decided to change his medication.
In early 2014, Matt started feeling short of breath more often, he had an increased difficulty completing regular daily activities and began having frequent fainting spells. Some of the fainting spells resulted in broken and bruised ribs, broken teeth, an injured jaw and chin, a near concussion and some pretty bad cuts and bruises. The cardiologists believe the syncope (fainting) was due to the narrowing and stiffening of his aortic valve and his heart not getting enough blood to his brain.
Matt has had many heart tests and scans throughout this past year and each time the severity of his aortic valve disease and heart disease continues to increase. He has been on exercise and activity restrictions since spring of 2014 and is very limited as to what he can and can't do. At this point, any extra stress put on his heart could be fatal.
During this past Thanksgiving holiday of 2014, Matt started feeling very ill again. He was getting nauseous and sick, had zero appetite, was extremely pale and was constantly lightheaded. In the second week of December he drove himself into the ER to find out what was going on. They informed him that due to a large amount of gastro intestinal bleeding, his blood counts were extremely low and he was suffering from anemia. They immediately admitted him and began a series of blood transfusions that lasted for nearly a week. This is where Matt spent his 36th birthday. The doctors did not want to discharge him because he was so anemic (the anemia has a direct impact on his hearts condition and ability to function).
Matt has had some additional testing and exams since his recent hospital stay. His cardiologist has made the determination that it is now time to replace his heart valve. He has been in and out of the doctor’s offices since trying to prepare for the procedure. The doctors say he should plan on being in the hospital for at least 6 to 8 weeks after the surgery, and that he’ll spend another 6 to 8 weeks at home recovering. In addition, the doctors say due to the seriousness of his condition it's best that he have the surgery at the Mayo Clinic. They believe that due to his condition, should any major surgery complications arise such as heart failure and/or heart transplant, the Mayo Clinic is the only local medical facility that is equipped to handle these events. They said it's just too risky to take the chance anywhere else.
The Mayo clinic does not currently accept our particular insurance plan through Aetna and they said they would not take an individual plan, even if we could afford one (we are still researching this). The out-of-network cost has a $10,000 deductible along with an out-of pocket max of over twice that amount, and it only covers 50% after the deductible is met. If they billed us directly we are looking at a few hundred thousand. Matt does not have disability insurance. He’s been unable to obtain it since his initial heart attack. His short-term supplemental insurance with Alfec will most likely not cover him either due to his pre-existing heart condition.
The doctors said Matt should expect to be out of work for at least 3 months. We'll be down to one income at that time. He has two procedures coming up next week that are going to set us back even further. We are currently assessing all of our belongings and are trying to sell anything of value that we have. We are going to have to move out of our house into a smaller place at the end of this month, as we’ll no longer be able to afford our payments at our current house. Matt can't take on any extra work because of his condition and I need to support him however I can.
We are currently drowning in medical debt from all of Matt’s previous procedures, we do not have the financial means to afford the additional days, weeks and months ahead and we just don’t know what to do. We have exhausted all of our resources.
As our last resort, we humbly ask for any and all help we can get to assist us through these difficult times. Any contribution, no matter the size or type would be so greatly appreciated and we would be forever indebted to you. A thought, prayer or simply sharing this page with your family, friends or colleagues would mean so much. If you are unable to assist financially, we completely understand. We want everyone to know that your thoughts, prayers and consideration are worth more than words can say.
In the meanwhile, we will both remain hopeful and optimistic, we will continue to pray and stay in good spirits, and we will keep everyone updated of Matt’s progress along the way.
Thank you so much for reading.
In deep gratitude,
Matt & Bernadett Bialach
My name is Bernadett. I am building this page on behalf of my best friend, my love and husband of over 11 years, Matt Bialach.
For those that know Matt, you probably know him as a very kind, friendly, gentle and loving person. You can always find him smiling and filled with happiness and joy and his optimism for life shines through to everyone he meets and knows. What you may not know is that he has a very serious heart condition and has lived a life with many health complications.
A bit about Matt's past...
When he was age 15, shortly after finding a large lump in his neck, he was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph nodes). He had to undergo countless tests and scans, several very painful procedures, received many months of radiation therapy, and spent most of his days physically sick and weak from the radiation. These were of course very difficult times for both he and his family. But, as he always has, Matt stayed hopeful and optimistic and eventually beat the cancer and has had no evidence of the disease since.
Now the present...
After suffering a heart attack in June of 2011 at age 33, Matt was diagnosed with severe coronary artery disease (heart disease). Fortunately, the doctors were able to place a stent in his right coronary artery (RCA) before any major damage was done to his heart. The RCA is one of the three major coronary arteries in the heart. It was then we also learned he had severe aortic valve stenosis and would need an aortic valve replacement within the next 3 to 5 years. He spent a week in the hospital recovering before being released.
Matt began cardiac rehabilitation shortly after being discharged from the hospital and we felt he was making good progress. Then, in November of 2011 he began having chest pains again. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with myocardial ischemia and was back in the catheterization lab for another angiogram. After overcoming some complications and receiving a shock from the defibrillator to re-sync his heart, he had a second stent placed, this time in his left anterior descending artery (LAD - aka, the widow maker). The LAD is also one of the three major arteries in the heart. It was then he learned he also had carotid artery disease. He spent another week in the hospital before being discharged.
(Below is a video of Matt's previous cardiologist talking about his second procedure as he was part of a case study. Click HERE to read about the study)
The difference between Matt's heart disease vs. the more commonly diagnosed heart disease is, Matt's disease is not due to diet, smoking, drugs, diabetes, high blood pressure nor is it hereditary. Rather, it is what the doctors and researchers call radiation induced heart disease (RIHD). The cardiologists are 100% certain his heart disease is the direct result of the radiation therapy he received 21 years ago. There is nothing he could have done to prevent the development or progression of his disease or condition. In fact, if he didn't have his heart attack when and where he did, it could have been too late. It was truly a blessing in disguise.
Though the severity of Matt's heart disease continued to progress, twenty months went by without any major complications. In that time he also finished his second round of cardiac rehabilitation. Then in July of 2013, after a week of Matt feeling ill, he and I drove to the ER to have him checked out. We were very lucky that we did. The doctors discovered he had a bilateral pulmonary embolism (numerous blood clots in both lungs) and was in very critical condition. He spent the next two weeks in the hospital receiving treatment before being discharged and under the care of a home nurse and weekly visits to the coumadin clinic.
After roughly six months of coumadin treatment, Matt's blood continued to thin from the medication. He also became very light and frail due to his restricted activity and diet. As a result, he had an accidental fall that caused a broken rib, a bruised kidney, a substantial amount of internal bleeding and a leg injury that immobilized him for over a month. He spent Christmas day in the ER and several more days in and out of the hospital being tested and monitored before the doctors decided to change his medication.
In early 2014, Matt started feeling short of breath more often, he had an increased difficulty completing regular daily activities and began having frequent fainting spells. Some of the fainting spells resulted in broken and bruised ribs, broken teeth, an injured jaw and chin, a near concussion and some pretty bad cuts and bruises. The cardiologists believe the syncope (fainting) was due to the narrowing and stiffening of his aortic valve and his heart not getting enough blood to his brain.
Matt has had many heart tests and scans throughout this past year and each time the severity of his aortic valve disease and heart disease continues to increase. He has been on exercise and activity restrictions since spring of 2014 and is very limited as to what he can and can't do. At this point, any extra stress put on his heart could be fatal.
During this past Thanksgiving holiday of 2014, Matt started feeling very ill again. He was getting nauseous and sick, had zero appetite, was extremely pale and was constantly lightheaded. In the second week of December he drove himself into the ER to find out what was going on. They informed him that due to a large amount of gastro intestinal bleeding, his blood counts were extremely low and he was suffering from anemia. They immediately admitted him and began a series of blood transfusions that lasted for nearly a week. This is where Matt spent his 36th birthday. The doctors did not want to discharge him because he was so anemic (the anemia has a direct impact on his hearts condition and ability to function).
Matt has had some additional testing and exams since his recent hospital stay. His cardiologist has made the determination that it is now time to replace his heart valve. He has been in and out of the doctor’s offices since trying to prepare for the procedure. The doctors say he should plan on being in the hospital for at least 6 to 8 weeks after the surgery, and that he’ll spend another 6 to 8 weeks at home recovering. In addition, the doctors say due to the seriousness of his condition it's best that he have the surgery at the Mayo Clinic. They believe that due to his condition, should any major surgery complications arise such as heart failure and/or heart transplant, the Mayo Clinic is the only local medical facility that is equipped to handle these events. They said it's just too risky to take the chance anywhere else.
The Mayo clinic does not currently accept our particular insurance plan through Aetna and they said they would not take an individual plan, even if we could afford one (we are still researching this). The out-of-network cost has a $10,000 deductible along with an out-of pocket max of over twice that amount, and it only covers 50% after the deductible is met. If they billed us directly we are looking at a few hundred thousand. Matt does not have disability insurance. He’s been unable to obtain it since his initial heart attack. His short-term supplemental insurance with Alfec will most likely not cover him either due to his pre-existing heart condition.
The doctors said Matt should expect to be out of work for at least 3 months. We'll be down to one income at that time. He has two procedures coming up next week that are going to set us back even further. We are currently assessing all of our belongings and are trying to sell anything of value that we have. We are going to have to move out of our house into a smaller place at the end of this month, as we’ll no longer be able to afford our payments at our current house. Matt can't take on any extra work because of his condition and I need to support him however I can.
We are currently drowning in medical debt from all of Matt’s previous procedures, we do not have the financial means to afford the additional days, weeks and months ahead and we just don’t know what to do. We have exhausted all of our resources.
As our last resort, we humbly ask for any and all help we can get to assist us through these difficult times. Any contribution, no matter the size or type would be so greatly appreciated and we would be forever indebted to you. A thought, prayer or simply sharing this page with your family, friends or colleagues would mean so much. If you are unable to assist financially, we completely understand. We want everyone to know that your thoughts, prayers and consideration are worth more than words can say.
In the meanwhile, we will both remain hopeful and optimistic, we will continue to pray and stay in good spirits, and we will keep everyone updated of Matt’s progress along the way.
Thank you so much for reading.
In deep gratitude,
Matt & Bernadett Bialach
Organizer
Bernadett Bialach
Organizer
Gilbert, AZ