Randy's got a new heart!
Donation protected
Prior to August 2017, Randy Brooks was an active, hardworking, 57 year old guy just living his life. He spent his time working at a body shop painting and repairing cars. As we all know, things in life can change in the blink of an eye. In August 2017, Randy had a heart attack. When he arrived at the hospital they discovered that he had 100% blockage that is referred to as the “Widow Maker” due to how fatal the blockage is. The hospital staff told him that if he would have been ten minutes later arriving at the hospital, it would have killed him. Thankfully the doctors were able to put in a stint and he was released from the hospital.
The very next weekend, Randy went back to the hospital with the feeling that he was having another heart attack. This visit would change Randy’s life forever because they diagnosed him with Congestive Heart Failure. Receiving his diagnosis forced Randy to change his lifestyle, which is not easy for anyone to do. He wasn’t able to get out of the house much due to the amount of fluid around his heart. At his three month check up, Randy was given another bad report. He was told that his heart was only operating at 30%. The doctor continued to treat his condition with medication, but this would only help for so long!
In January of 2019, Randy was given the news that if they didn’t try something different, he wouldn’t make it another year. How does a 59 year old man with a wife, kids, grandkids, and great grandkids accept a death sentence? One thing about Randy that is obvious to anyone who knows him is that he is not a quitter!!! In 2019, Randy made the decision to have an artificial heart pump, called an LVad, installed. This heart pump was installed as a bridge until he could get placed on a heart transplant list. The cost of the LVad alone was over $600,000! In addition to the cost of the LVad there were hospital bills and the surgery itself.
While the LVad was a life-saving option for Randy, it came with many more challenges. The normal task of taking a shower was not so normal any longer. Randy had to cover the equipment to ensure that it didn’t get wet. He had to make sure that the battery packs on the LVad were always charged, otherwise the pump would not work.
On June 12, 2020 Randy received a letter saying that he had been put on the transplant list as a phase 2 candidate. This meant that he should have a heart within 30 days. On June 22, Randy received a phone call said that he needed to be in Nashville, TN within five hours. THEY HAD A DONOR HEART FOR RANDY! The hospital staff explained that there needed to be additional tests conducted to ensure that the heart was a complete match. Around lunch that day, it was confirmed that the heart was a perfect match.
How can a person even process all of this information in such a short period of time? One part of you is sad that a person lost their life and has a grieving family somewhere. The other part of you is happy because you know that their gift of life by deciding to be an organ donor means you get to live your life! The donor decided to donate ALL of their organs and Randy was fortunate enough to be the recipient of their heart. What a wonderful gesture of love! To literally donate your heart to another person!!
Randy received the news that he was getting a heart on June 22, however it didn’t arrive until after midnight as the date changed to June 23. As if this story of love and life couldn’t get any better, Randy’s dad’s birthday was June 23! It would be hard not to see that this gift of life was a sign that his dad is helping God keep an eye out for Randy! Within a few hours, Randy’s new heart was in place and he was given a new chance at life.
Randy Brooks is not the kind of person to ask for a handout from anyone and has spent his life helping others. Randy will have to spend the next few months in Nashville, TN so he can be close to his transplant team. Due to the COVID pandemic, he is at a much higher risk. Randy and his wife Brenda are having to stay in a hotel in Nashville for three months! This expense is not covered by any type of insurance and has to be paid for out of pocket. In addition to the hotel expenses there are medical bills, food expenses, and the bills back home do not stop.
We have created this campaign to help Randy and Brenda offset some of the expenses that they will have over the next few months. All of the money donated will go straight to Randy and Brenda.
The very next weekend, Randy went back to the hospital with the feeling that he was having another heart attack. This visit would change Randy’s life forever because they diagnosed him with Congestive Heart Failure. Receiving his diagnosis forced Randy to change his lifestyle, which is not easy for anyone to do. He wasn’t able to get out of the house much due to the amount of fluid around his heart. At his three month check up, Randy was given another bad report. He was told that his heart was only operating at 30%. The doctor continued to treat his condition with medication, but this would only help for so long!
In January of 2019, Randy was given the news that if they didn’t try something different, he wouldn’t make it another year. How does a 59 year old man with a wife, kids, grandkids, and great grandkids accept a death sentence? One thing about Randy that is obvious to anyone who knows him is that he is not a quitter!!! In 2019, Randy made the decision to have an artificial heart pump, called an LVad, installed. This heart pump was installed as a bridge until he could get placed on a heart transplant list. The cost of the LVad alone was over $600,000! In addition to the cost of the LVad there were hospital bills and the surgery itself.
While the LVad was a life-saving option for Randy, it came with many more challenges. The normal task of taking a shower was not so normal any longer. Randy had to cover the equipment to ensure that it didn’t get wet. He had to make sure that the battery packs on the LVad were always charged, otherwise the pump would not work.
On June 12, 2020 Randy received a letter saying that he had been put on the transplant list as a phase 2 candidate. This meant that he should have a heart within 30 days. On June 22, Randy received a phone call said that he needed to be in Nashville, TN within five hours. THEY HAD A DONOR HEART FOR RANDY! The hospital staff explained that there needed to be additional tests conducted to ensure that the heart was a complete match. Around lunch that day, it was confirmed that the heart was a perfect match.
How can a person even process all of this information in such a short period of time? One part of you is sad that a person lost their life and has a grieving family somewhere. The other part of you is happy because you know that their gift of life by deciding to be an organ donor means you get to live your life! The donor decided to donate ALL of their organs and Randy was fortunate enough to be the recipient of their heart. What a wonderful gesture of love! To literally donate your heart to another person!!
Randy received the news that he was getting a heart on June 22, however it didn’t arrive until after midnight as the date changed to June 23. As if this story of love and life couldn’t get any better, Randy’s dad’s birthday was June 23! It would be hard not to see that this gift of life was a sign that his dad is helping God keep an eye out for Randy! Within a few hours, Randy’s new heart was in place and he was given a new chance at life.
Randy Brooks is not the kind of person to ask for a handout from anyone and has spent his life helping others. Randy will have to spend the next few months in Nashville, TN so he can be close to his transplant team. Due to the COVID pandemic, he is at a much higher risk. Randy and his wife Brenda are having to stay in a hotel in Nashville for three months! This expense is not covered by any type of insurance and has to be paid for out of pocket. In addition to the hotel expenses there are medical bills, food expenses, and the bills back home do not stop.
We have created this campaign to help Randy and Brenda offset some of the expenses that they will have over the next few months. All of the money donated will go straight to Randy and Brenda.
Organizer and beneficiary
Brian Pack
Organizer
Dalton, GA
Stacy Lewis
Beneficiary