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.