Rhys to receive treatment for his cardiac issues

As some people may have heard , my brother has recently suffered a severe adverse reaction to his COVID-19 vaccination. The onset of symptoms began with long-lasting fatigue, lightheadedness, fainting, brain fog, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting, headaches, body tremours and low tolerance to physical exertion. These effects became worse with even low levels of every day activity. This lead to Rhys’ initial diagnoses of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome ( POTS ) in December 2021 by a cardiologist in Adelaide. Rhys found all the treatment options offered to him provided little to no relief and found his symptoms worsening day by day. In April 2022 Rhys was taken to hospital via ambulance with severe cardiac symptoms, a terrifying moment for him and his young family. After almost a week stay in the Cardiac Care Unit, he was diagnosed with Myocarditis, which is inflammation to the middle layer of his heart and due to its severity had caused heart tissue damage. Day to day looks very different for Rhys than it did just 12 months ago - he went from being a fit, healthy 31 year old who had just moved himself, partner Kari and his step-son Archer down to Adelaide to pursue both professional and personal opportunities , to a 31 year old who struggles to get out of bed. He is in constant pain and breathlessness even walking to the bathroom, tremors continuously, dropping weight at a rapid pace (currently 17kgs down this year) and reduced to taking over 11 medications a day to try and stabilise some of his symptoms. He is unable to participate in any of his passions and is severely restricted in every day ordinary tasks . Not to mention the anxiety every day of having a heart attack or even not waking at all. These are things no young man should have to be consumed by.

Rhys does however find some relief of his symptoms in his oxygen therapies. It has been recommended that he participates in a 5 day detox and subsequent weekly therapies. This all comes at an out of pocket expense to his young family on a greatly reduced income ,and as we all know money gets tight very quickly. We are asking if anyone can provide any level of financial relief to take away this burden so we can get Rhys back to a level of health to at least participate in day to day life and hopefully see his return to full time work and sporting passions.

Any money fundraised will go directly toward Rhys’ oxygen therapies and any residual money will be used to cover day to day expenses and bills that tend to pile up in these situations.

Please pray for my brother, we just want him happy and healthy again.