Reopening Conner's Heart
Donation protected
Dear Family and Friends,
I can’t believe it’s been 17 months since we started this journey. Since some of you may not have heard or are just joining this journey I want to give you a quick back story.
Conner was diagnosed with an anomalous coronary artery, a rare heart defect, in September of 2019. His local cardiologist in Kansas City gave him the options of referrals to the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, or Stanford. The three locations are the top locations in the world for this type of surgery. He elected to go to Mayo Clinic as it was closer and easier to travel. Mayo took a special interest in his case since he has been having these cardiac issues for 10+ years now.
In November 2019, we visited the Mayo Clinic for three days to meet with an adult cardiologist and they ran Conner through a battery of tests for an entire cardio workup. The cardio clinic was scheduling surgeries several months out, but Conner was put on a waiting list for a sooner date. On December 2nd, Conner received the call that an opening for surgery the following week was available and without hesitation he accepted that date.
In December of 2019, the entire family traveled to Rochester, Minnesota to be there for surgery. After they cracked Conner open and attempting to put him on the bypass machine, he developed a hematoma within the wall of his aorta that extended from his heart through the thoracic cavity. The surgery team determined they needed to stop the procedure, close him up and wait until the hematoma healed.
Due to the surgery process Conner had to spend five days in the hospital recovering. He was discharged and sent home with follow up appointments locally but to return to Mayo Clinic in March 2020. The week before coronavirus pandemic officially began, we were at the Mayo Clinic following up with his cardiologist and surgery team. For the past almost year, we've been waiting patiently for the coronavirus numbers to subside, vaccines to be introduced into communities, and the pandemic to settle down so that we feel more confident in the recovery process and travelling cross-country for surgery.
After a long road of recovery, following up with his local cardiologist and other doctors, and sending his chart off for other opinions, Conner has elected to go to Cleveland Clinic for his next surgery. His case was given to a surgeon who specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery with various aortic procedures. He has been in constant contact with the Cleveland Clinic during the coronavirus pandemic.
As the numbers have decreased locally in Cleveland and nationwide, Conner has scheduled his next set of appointments followed by surgery. We will travel to Cleveland on March 15th for appointments on the 16th and 17th followed by a prospective surgery on the 18th. The immediate recovery is similar to his previous surgery where he will spend a minimum of five days in the hospital after surgery. The Cleveland Clinic highly recommend a follow-up visit two days post-op in their office before traveling home for the longer recovery process. I'm anticipating spending 12 days in a hotel in Cleveland, part of it while Conner is in the hospital.
The real reason I'm here today is to simply ask for help. This part is hard to share but it is my reality.
Conner had a lot of unforeseen financial and insurance changes in January. His previously covered health insurance paid by his employer no longer exists. He is having to contribute to the cost of his insurance and the difference in his employer provided health savings fund and his deductible. There was no warning of these changes and incurred costs at the employee level. Additionally, Conner relies on a Cost of Living Adjustment for a yearly pay increase, rather than a raise. The adjustment usually isn't a lot but it is money he was planning on receiving and isn't this year.
So to recap we are looking at almost twice as much of a deductible, and after care costs, plus at least $4,000 in hotel costs and travel expenses.
I cannot tell you how much our last fundraising helped his stress level during recovery, and I am stressing over coming to you for help; however, we need your help. Whether its prayers or a monetary donation – ALL are greatly appreciated!
Thanks and Love,
Shelby
I can’t believe it’s been 17 months since we started this journey. Since some of you may not have heard or are just joining this journey I want to give you a quick back story.
Conner was diagnosed with an anomalous coronary artery, a rare heart defect, in September of 2019. His local cardiologist in Kansas City gave him the options of referrals to the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, or Stanford. The three locations are the top locations in the world for this type of surgery. He elected to go to Mayo Clinic as it was closer and easier to travel. Mayo took a special interest in his case since he has been having these cardiac issues for 10+ years now.
In November 2019, we visited the Mayo Clinic for three days to meet with an adult cardiologist and they ran Conner through a battery of tests for an entire cardio workup. The cardio clinic was scheduling surgeries several months out, but Conner was put on a waiting list for a sooner date. On December 2nd, Conner received the call that an opening for surgery the following week was available and without hesitation he accepted that date.
In December of 2019, the entire family traveled to Rochester, Minnesota to be there for surgery. After they cracked Conner open and attempting to put him on the bypass machine, he developed a hematoma within the wall of his aorta that extended from his heart through the thoracic cavity. The surgery team determined they needed to stop the procedure, close him up and wait until the hematoma healed.
Due to the surgery process Conner had to spend five days in the hospital recovering. He was discharged and sent home with follow up appointments locally but to return to Mayo Clinic in March 2020. The week before coronavirus pandemic officially began, we were at the Mayo Clinic following up with his cardiologist and surgery team. For the past almost year, we've been waiting patiently for the coronavirus numbers to subside, vaccines to be introduced into communities, and the pandemic to settle down so that we feel more confident in the recovery process and travelling cross-country for surgery.
After a long road of recovery, following up with his local cardiologist and other doctors, and sending his chart off for other opinions, Conner has elected to go to Cleveland Clinic for his next surgery. His case was given to a surgeon who specializes in Cardiothoracic Surgery with various aortic procedures. He has been in constant contact with the Cleveland Clinic during the coronavirus pandemic.
As the numbers have decreased locally in Cleveland and nationwide, Conner has scheduled his next set of appointments followed by surgery. We will travel to Cleveland on March 15th for appointments on the 16th and 17th followed by a prospective surgery on the 18th. The immediate recovery is similar to his previous surgery where he will spend a minimum of five days in the hospital after surgery. The Cleveland Clinic highly recommend a follow-up visit two days post-op in their office before traveling home for the longer recovery process. I'm anticipating spending 12 days in a hotel in Cleveland, part of it while Conner is in the hospital.
The real reason I'm here today is to simply ask for help. This part is hard to share but it is my reality.
Conner had a lot of unforeseen financial and insurance changes in January. His previously covered health insurance paid by his employer no longer exists. He is having to contribute to the cost of his insurance and the difference in his employer provided health savings fund and his deductible. There was no warning of these changes and incurred costs at the employee level. Additionally, Conner relies on a Cost of Living Adjustment for a yearly pay increase, rather than a raise. The adjustment usually isn't a lot but it is money he was planning on receiving and isn't this year.
So to recap we are looking at almost twice as much of a deductible, and after care costs, plus at least $4,000 in hotel costs and travel expenses.
I cannot tell you how much our last fundraising helped his stress level during recovery, and I am stressing over coming to you for help; however, we need your help. Whether its prayers or a monetary donation – ALL are greatly appreciated!
Thanks and Love,
Shelby
Organizer
Shelby Blinzler
Organizer
Parkville, MO
