Dustin Heishman, my nephew, had a major stroke on February 7, 2019.  Due to the severity of the stroke, he was rushed from his local hospital in Harrisonburg, VA to Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, VA.    Upon arrival, he immediately underwent a 5 hour thrombectomy.  This surgery removed a blood clot from inside a vein in his brain.

As I'm writing this, today marks 7 years since Dustin had a heart attack and open heart surgery at the age of 23.  Since then, he has had 2 strokes.  The most recent stroke was his 3rd and most severe.  The surgery was successful and we are grateful for the amazing team of Surgeons for saving his life.  However the stroke left Dustin with limited motor function on his right side.  This has been terrifying for him and our family.  He has recently been transferred to Augusta Medical Center for inpatient therapy to regain his strength.   Rehab is intense and extremely hard, but he is getting better each day.  

Once he completes inpatient therapy, he will go home and continue daily outpatient therapy.  These intense treatments will keep him out of work for several months.  It is so important for Dustin's recovery that he focuses on his therapy and not his finances.  Anything you could donate, no matter how large or small, would allow Dustin to do just that.

We continue to pray for Dustin's full recovery and we are anxiously awaiting him to come home!

Thank you all for your generosity!

{picture: taken Dec '18 with Dustin and his mom, Dawn Fanella}