As many of you may know Don has dealt with his share of health issues. Starting back when he was a teenager and was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. With God's help, Don was able to beat this. Unknown to the doctors, the chemotherapy and radiation used to treat his cancer would later cause great harm to his heart.
Fast forward 25 years Don was experiencing chest pain and was
not feeling good, so he decided to go to the doctor. At that time they were not sure what was wrong but did not like what they saw on the test. They made a referral over to West Michigan Heart.
Making a very long story short Don told was told that he would need open
heart surgery. He had a 99% blockage in has left Main and a 98%
blockage in his right coronary artery. At that point in time Dons heart was not strong enough to undergo such a surgery and he needed to be placed on medication to make his heart stronger. One
month later he had his open heart surgery and from that point forward
there have been many roadblocks. Don has had many positives and many negatives, Don has been in and out of the hospital
more times than anyone ever should. He has had numerous proceedures, many stents and a biventricular pacemaker placed. He takes enough pills in one day to
be a complete meal, the list goes on and on ... Don has seen many doctor's over the years Landing him in the office of his current doctor at the West Michigan advanced heart failure Clinic. The name
in itself is scary but we are so blessed to live near such amazing doctors in Dons area of need. As we approach the 10-year Mark sense his open heart surgery Don and Melissa once again ask for your prayers... over the last several months Don's health has been declining and his quality
of life is not what it should be for a 45 year old. Last week Don was called by the advanced heart failure clinic and they wanted to get him in before his next scheduled appointment. His doctor advised him that they were not impressed with the most recent tests, during this
appointment they adjusted some more medication and they set up the
first of many appointments to come... Fast forward to November 1, Don
had a heart cath with exercise, and was only able to make it for 2 minutes. The failure of the test, began the heart transplant evaluation. Don was admitted to the hospital, and scanned from head
to toe. It has been determined that Don needs a new heart and has been approved for a heart transplant. Sometime in the beginning of DecemberD will be admitted into the Fred and Lena Heart center
where they will place a balloon in his heart. Don will then remain in the hospital until a donor heart becomes available.
Due to Dons failing heart and the fact that he can no longer perform his job duties, he has been let go. This in itself created a whole new set of stresses. Don will be unemployed for a minimum of 8 months. Melissa will also need to miss time from work so she can nurse Don back to health.
The bills will not stop, the medical bills will start... Having new insurance under Melissa means all out of pockets have been reset.. Now is our time to help. This family has been a blessing to us, let's be a blessing to them.
Fast forward 25 years Don was experiencing chest pain and was
not feeling good, so he decided to go to the doctor. At that time they were not sure what was wrong but did not like what they saw on the test. They made a referral over to West Michigan Heart.
Making a very long story short Don told was told that he would need open
heart surgery. He had a 99% blockage in has left Main and a 98%
blockage in his right coronary artery. At that point in time Dons heart was not strong enough to undergo such a surgery and he needed to be placed on medication to make his heart stronger. One
month later he had his open heart surgery and from that point forward
there have been many roadblocks. Don has had many positives and many negatives, Don has been in and out of the hospital
more times than anyone ever should. He has had numerous proceedures, many stents and a biventricular pacemaker placed. He takes enough pills in one day to
be a complete meal, the list goes on and on ... Don has seen many doctor's over the years Landing him in the office of his current doctor at the West Michigan advanced heart failure Clinic. The name
in itself is scary but we are so blessed to live near such amazing doctors in Dons area of need. As we approach the 10-year Mark sense his open heart surgery Don and Melissa once again ask for your prayers... over the last several months Don's health has been declining and his quality
of life is not what it should be for a 45 year old. Last week Don was called by the advanced heart failure clinic and they wanted to get him in before his next scheduled appointment. His doctor advised him that they were not impressed with the most recent tests, during this
appointment they adjusted some more medication and they set up the
first of many appointments to come... Fast forward to November 1, Don
had a heart cath with exercise, and was only able to make it for 2 minutes. The failure of the test, began the heart transplant evaluation. Don was admitted to the hospital, and scanned from head
to toe. It has been determined that Don needs a new heart and has been approved for a heart transplant. Sometime in the beginning of DecemberD will be admitted into the Fred and Lena Heart center
where they will place a balloon in his heart. Don will then remain in the hospital until a donor heart becomes available.
Due to Dons failing heart and the fact that he can no longer perform his job duties, he has been let go. This in itself created a whole new set of stresses. Don will be unemployed for a minimum of 8 months. Melissa will also need to miss time from work so she can nurse Don back to health.
The bills will not stop, the medical bills will start... Having new insurance under Melissa means all out of pockets have been reset.. Now is our time to help. This family has been a blessing to us, let's be a blessing to them.
Organizer and beneficiary
Melissa Rockey
Beneficiary