Paul Ewald's Heart Transplant Fund
In September of 2016, I was rushed to the hospital with extreme shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness and chest pains. As an avid young fitness and nutrition addict, I was shocked to learn I was suffering from end-stage heart failure. After several painful medical procedures, and an alarming amount of medication, my doctors explained to me that without life-saving open heart surgery to implant a mechanical heart pump, I would have only a few weeks left to live.
My left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was implanted in October. After several weeks of painful recovery, I started to learn to live my life knowing the machine inside me and the battery pack on my side was the last ditch effort to keep me alive until I could receive a heart transplant. Over the next few months, I attempted to return to the gym to gain back the forty pounds I lost in the hospital, but it was very difficult. Florida Hospital cardiologists have repeatedly told me I am the only LVAD patient they have who lifts and exercises regularly.
I tried to do everything I could to stay healthy until transplant, but a few weeks ago my LVAD started malfunctioning, turning off and on at random. As a result, I am once again confined to the Intensive Care Unit in the hospital, hoping a heart donor will become available soon. I lost my job and am unable to work because I cannot leave the hospital. Throughout this entire ordeal, surgeries, doctors fees, lab work, prescriptions and insurance co-pays have buried me and my family in debt. The medical bills will only keep coming as I sit here waiting for a heart and continue, God Willing, post transplant. As difficult as it is for me, I am asking for help with my seemingly never ending medical expenses. This experience has taught me so much and shown me repeatedly how much love I have in my life. Seeing all the good my medical team has done for me and for others has inspired me to enter the medical field as soon as I am able to work again.
Thank you to everyone who has helped and encouraged me. I could never have made it through this without you.
My left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was implanted in October. After several weeks of painful recovery, I started to learn to live my life knowing the machine inside me and the battery pack on my side was the last ditch effort to keep me alive until I could receive a heart transplant. Over the next few months, I attempted to return to the gym to gain back the forty pounds I lost in the hospital, but it was very difficult. Florida Hospital cardiologists have repeatedly told me I am the only LVAD patient they have who lifts and exercises regularly.
I tried to do everything I could to stay healthy until transplant, but a few weeks ago my LVAD started malfunctioning, turning off and on at random. As a result, I am once again confined to the Intensive Care Unit in the hospital, hoping a heart donor will become available soon. I lost my job and am unable to work because I cannot leave the hospital. Throughout this entire ordeal, surgeries, doctors fees, lab work, prescriptions and insurance co-pays have buried me and my family in debt. The medical bills will only keep coming as I sit here waiting for a heart and continue, God Willing, post transplant. As difficult as it is for me, I am asking for help with my seemingly never ending medical expenses. This experience has taught me so much and shown me repeatedly how much love I have in my life. Seeing all the good my medical team has done for me and for others has inspired me to enter the medical field as soon as I am able to work again.
Thank you to everyone who has helped and encouraged me. I could never have made it through this without you.
#1 fundraising platform
More people start fundraisers on GoFundMe than on any other platform. Learn more
GoFundMe Guarantee
In the rare case something isn’t right, we will work with you to determine if misuse occurred. Learn more
Expert advice, 24/7
Contact us with your questions and we’ll answer, day or night. Learn more