This Is My Husband.

First a bit of history about my husband... In 2005 Matt had his first heart attack. It wasn't till months later he went to a doctor because of fatigue and severe abdominal pain. It was determined his lower aortic valve was dissecting and was admitted to the hospital. He had surgery, a double bypass, an aortic root replacement and a new mechanical valve put in. It was just after some healing time that we were told he would not be able to return to work and that he was now in heart failure. What a shock to us both. Matt had his own paint and body shop before all this. A great one too. If your were to ask those who knew him they wold tell you "the best I've seen". In 2012 he had an implanted defibrillator as a backup to his failing heart. In 2015 he was rushed to the hospital for what doctors call a "firestorm". This caused his defibrillator to shock him numerous times on top of the doctors having to shock him. He at one point had a code blue. A true miracle he is still with us! We were told that less than 5 percent of patients leave the hospital after what he had went through. Then in 2016 his heart failure doctor decided it would be in his best interest to get a defibrillator/pacemaker. (ICD). This new unit would help with his lowering heart rate. He had the new unit implanted but shortly after he began having severe pain and discomfort. One of the wires had backed out and was not working properly. Matt went back in to have the wire replaced but again that one would back out slightly and cause him great pain to walk ten feet. We decided to have it turned off. The unit now keeps his heart rate from dropping below 50 beats per minute. He has quality of life this way and can walk with me while I shop or spend time with me in the yard. Never take the small things for granted. Living day to day is what we have learned to do and are grateful for every moment! You just don't know what tomorrow brings, but today he is here and I am more than grateful! This year 2017 after many tests we were told by his doctors that they did not believe he would make it another year with his current heart and that he needed to be evaluated for a transplant. We were sent to another state, the evaluation was given and they determined that he needs of a new heart.
A bit about us... Matt and I have been together now for 31 years. How time flies! We live a humble life not outside our means and trust in the Lord daily to provide our daily needs. Praying daily for healing on Matt and strength for me to continue my hard work to pay for daily needs. Since Matt can no longer work he has taken up hobbies like building affects pedals for his guitar and cooking low sodium meals. Wow can he cook! That's something to get to a woman's heart too, not just the man's. We both enjoy that cup of coffee together when I get home from work and we love to talk about daily activities or things we've learned. We would rather give than get.
We realize now that we are not able to pay the past or present dept we are in. Currently after insurance we are about $ 100,000 in dept to medical bills that keep coming in. With ongoing medical visits to clinics, hospitals, specialist, teeth extractions, hotels, gas and time off work it is much more than we can ever pay. We barrow a car from his neice for hospital visits out of state due to my truck having over 200,000 and our other over 100,000. We are grateful to her for this. Some of the requirements for a heart transplant include being able to stay near by, (out of state for us) up to three months. We must be able to afford our stay and to pay utilities and such back home. This means I too will be off during this time as his care giver, if and when it happens. I remain hopeful. I am able to take three months unpaid leave time from work. If healing takes longer than the 90 days then they do not have to hire me back. This causes great concern since I am sole income.
For anyone donating to this cause we want to thank you in advance. Not one penny is unoticed and we are eternally greatful. We know without your help the dept will consume us and his transplant will not take place. We together give thanks for your help.