My Open Heart Surgery and Financial Support Needs
Donation protected
Life sure does throw some surprises at us from time-to-time. As a fit, healthy 51 year old man, with so much to live for in this amazing life which I have been blessed to have, the news that I have been living with a very rare congenital heart abnormality, has certainly been such a surprise to me.
It was only after receiving treatment in the ER for some recent chest discomfort, that a panel of tests were run identifying this cardiovascular anomaly. In fact, having detected it at all is something that most people would not have the benefit of knowing. In best case scenarios, it is identified in newborns, but often is discovered after the occurrence of Sudden Death Syndrome during an autopsy.
The treatment approach for this condition (for the lack of a better word) is simple - open heart surgery. In layman's terms, an arterial vessel near my heart is taking a strange, dangerous path around other major arteries, causing restrictions in blood flow, and beginning to create heart damage expressed by extremely high levels of Troponin (a specific protein/enzyme only produced by the heart during such stress). This artery must be separated and refixed to proper placement to allow optimal blood flow from the heart.
Choosing this treatment is not one taken lightly by me. But is has been made clear to me that this surgery, although highly specialized, is far less risky than not doing anything at all. That said, I have been fortunate to receive the guidance of trusted cardiovascular health professionals in locating the most experienced heart surgeon in the country who has worked on these rare cases more than any other.
I have consulted with my wife, children, family and friends, and we all agree that this surgery is the best course of action, knowing that we are actually lucky to have had a reason to take a closer look, ultimately discovering the abnormality, and are now empowered to address it. To us, it wasn't necessarily a tough choice, as doing nothing may result in no less than a catastrophic end.
This will surely be the most emotionally and financially burdensome, stressful event of our lives. So it is with great humility that we begin this campaign to ask for the financial assistance we know will be needed to get through the different levels this life challenge will present. Arrangements for the operation at our hospital of choice are in process, and my case is taking a high priority and moving ahead quickly. We will soon need help to pay for: major loss of work time, travel and lodging, heavy medical costs, recovery time and related expenses, possible emotional counseling for the kids, support for family members who will be sacrificing and providing highly valuable assistance along the way, and of course other needs we may not be able to anticipate at this time.
I cannot recall a moment in my life where I have not been able to provide for my family. I don't think I've ever asked for someone to give me any major form of help or monetary assistance. This is not easy for me, but I have enough humility to recognize that some life events may be too heavy to carry on my own, and I know have many friends who love me and my family. And so it is with my outstretched hands that I reach for your help at this time, having only my (literally) broken heart, full of eternal gratitude for your generosity, friendship, love and compassion.
On behalf of my darling wife Amber, my beautiful daughter Jayden, my precious son Henry, and of course my other family members, we thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for any help you can give us during this campaign. As for me, I will be forever indebted to you all, and with every beat of my heart I will carry no less than the deepest gratitude, sincere appreciation, and love - all the days of my life.
Your friend and brother,
Ted Quiroz
It was only after receiving treatment in the ER for some recent chest discomfort, that a panel of tests were run identifying this cardiovascular anomaly. In fact, having detected it at all is something that most people would not have the benefit of knowing. In best case scenarios, it is identified in newborns, but often is discovered after the occurrence of Sudden Death Syndrome during an autopsy.
The treatment approach for this condition (for the lack of a better word) is simple - open heart surgery. In layman's terms, an arterial vessel near my heart is taking a strange, dangerous path around other major arteries, causing restrictions in blood flow, and beginning to create heart damage expressed by extremely high levels of Troponin (a specific protein/enzyme only produced by the heart during such stress). This artery must be separated and refixed to proper placement to allow optimal blood flow from the heart.
Choosing this treatment is not one taken lightly by me. But is has been made clear to me that this surgery, although highly specialized, is far less risky than not doing anything at all. That said, I have been fortunate to receive the guidance of trusted cardiovascular health professionals in locating the most experienced heart surgeon in the country who has worked on these rare cases more than any other.
I have consulted with my wife, children, family and friends, and we all agree that this surgery is the best course of action, knowing that we are actually lucky to have had a reason to take a closer look, ultimately discovering the abnormality, and are now empowered to address it. To us, it wasn't necessarily a tough choice, as doing nothing may result in no less than a catastrophic end.
This will surely be the most emotionally and financially burdensome, stressful event of our lives. So it is with great humility that we begin this campaign to ask for the financial assistance we know will be needed to get through the different levels this life challenge will present. Arrangements for the operation at our hospital of choice are in process, and my case is taking a high priority and moving ahead quickly. We will soon need help to pay for: major loss of work time, travel and lodging, heavy medical costs, recovery time and related expenses, possible emotional counseling for the kids, support for family members who will be sacrificing and providing highly valuable assistance along the way, and of course other needs we may not be able to anticipate at this time.
I cannot recall a moment in my life where I have not been able to provide for my family. I don't think I've ever asked for someone to give me any major form of help or monetary assistance. This is not easy for me, but I have enough humility to recognize that some life events may be too heavy to carry on my own, and I know have many friends who love me and my family. And so it is with my outstretched hands that I reach for your help at this time, having only my (literally) broken heart, full of eternal gratitude for your generosity, friendship, love and compassion.
On behalf of my darling wife Amber, my beautiful daughter Jayden, my precious son Henry, and of course my other family members, we thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for any help you can give us during this campaign. As for me, I will be forever indebted to you all, and with every beat of my heart I will carry no less than the deepest gratitude, sincere appreciation, and love - all the days of my life.
Your friend and brother,
Ted Quiroz
Organizer
Ted Quiroz
Organizer
Fort Lauderdale, FL