Melissa Collver's Heart Fund
Donation protected
Melissa was born with a heart defect but the doctors wanted to wait to do surgery until it was extremely necessary because replacing a valve would require multiple surgeries over her life time. Her health started to decline and through testing the doctors determined she had an aneurysm on her aortic arch along with a defected heart value. At that point Melissa had her first open heart surgery in January 2007 to have a valve replaced and a graft repair to the aneurysm of her aortic arch. Recovery was not easy and the cost was over whelming. However, she started to feel better and gained strength. During this time Melissa was working and able to pay her bills.
A few years later she started getting headaches, and temporary blindness. Over the next few years, the headaches and vision problems became worse. Currently her headaches are more severe and occur daily. She will lose vision for a short time daily, and has developed memory loss, vertigo, chest pressure, heart palpations and tingling in her arms and legs. Due to the neurological deficit, memory loss, inability to focus, she was unable to perform her duties at work and was let go by her employer. Melissa had been working at this company where she walked several blocks and took the light rail to get there because she didn't have a car for the past three years. She was making enough money to pay the rent and buy food, but not enough to pay all the medical bills.
Recently she went to her Cardiologist and had some studies done where they discovered a Patent foramen Ovale (PFO) which could explain some of her symptoms. This condition, a hole in the heart, is a congenital birth defect, which was undetected until now. In addition, she has a history of a radical mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma, and with the visual symptoms her doctor wants her to see a neurologist. After they run a MRI to see if there is any abnormality in the brain she will be having heart surgery to repair the hole in her heart. Additionally, Melissa will need to have open heart surgery again in five to six years to replace the valve she had replaced eight years ago.
Her lease is up in two months and had plans on moving in with a friend to a cheaper place, however that has fallen through at this time. We have looked into some government help. She is in the process of researching new health care options including disability which would take 6 to 12 months. With the loss of her job, her insurance will only go through the end of March and the doctors want to perform the heart surgery before then.
Melissa has had a tough time throughout her life and has not been able to save up for emergency expenses because of her previous medical expenses. We are asking individuals to considering helping Melissa with her medical deductible/insurance, rent, 20% of her heart surgery, MRI for her neurological problems, medical appointment co-pays and an inexpensive car so she can work and live with her mother while she heals, recovers and gets back on her own. There is no light rail by her mother's home so she needs a car for work once see gets a job again. We appreciate your consideration of helping Melissa through your prayers and financial gifts.
We will keep you updated on her progress.
A few years later she started getting headaches, and temporary blindness. Over the next few years, the headaches and vision problems became worse. Currently her headaches are more severe and occur daily. She will lose vision for a short time daily, and has developed memory loss, vertigo, chest pressure, heart palpations and tingling in her arms and legs. Due to the neurological deficit, memory loss, inability to focus, she was unable to perform her duties at work and was let go by her employer. Melissa had been working at this company where she walked several blocks and took the light rail to get there because she didn't have a car for the past three years. She was making enough money to pay the rent and buy food, but not enough to pay all the medical bills.
Recently she went to her Cardiologist and had some studies done where they discovered a Patent foramen Ovale (PFO) which could explain some of her symptoms. This condition, a hole in the heart, is a congenital birth defect, which was undetected until now. In addition, she has a history of a radical mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma, and with the visual symptoms her doctor wants her to see a neurologist. After they run a MRI to see if there is any abnormality in the brain she will be having heart surgery to repair the hole in her heart. Additionally, Melissa will need to have open heart surgery again in five to six years to replace the valve she had replaced eight years ago.
Her lease is up in two months and had plans on moving in with a friend to a cheaper place, however that has fallen through at this time. We have looked into some government help. She is in the process of researching new health care options including disability which would take 6 to 12 months. With the loss of her job, her insurance will only go through the end of March and the doctors want to perform the heart surgery before then.
Melissa has had a tough time throughout her life and has not been able to save up for emergency expenses because of her previous medical expenses. We are asking individuals to considering helping Melissa with her medical deductible/insurance, rent, 20% of her heart surgery, MRI for her neurological problems, medical appointment co-pays and an inexpensive car so she can work and live with her mother while she heals, recovers and gets back on her own. There is no light rail by her mother's home so she needs a car for work once see gets a job again. We appreciate your consideration of helping Melissa through your prayers and financial gifts.
We will keep you updated on her progress.
Organizer
Jolene Collver
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO
