Sophila's Big Heart - Eliminating Finacial Stress
Donation protected
Sophila is mother, grandma, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend, and co-worker who was diagnosed with having a cardiomyopathy in 2012. Sophila’s heart was enlarged and the left side of her heart was failing. She knew at some point she would need a new heart. First came the pacemaker, an artificial device surgically placed to stimulate the heart muscle and regulate the hearts contractions. Then in 2015, 2 mitral clips were placed in the left side of the heart to repair the mitral valve to ensure blood was flowing through the heart in the correct direction. This helped reduce the amount of dizziness, tiredness, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, and swelling of legs that Sophila experienced.
The doctors attempted to place another mitral clip in 2017 but were unsuccessful. Due to some complications Sophila had to stay in the ICU at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. With family and friends praying for Sophila, her heart function showed improvements and she was able to return home. At that point Sophila was told to lose 90 lbs. before she was able to go on the heart transplant list. After cardiac clearance was obtained, Sophila used surgical intervention and healthy eating habits to lose the required weight. Since then she has been working and spending time with family and friends.
After years of living life to fullest with a big smile its now 2019 and Sophila’s heart condition has worsened. Not knowing when a heart would become an available match or if her health condition would be considered stable for the heart transplant surgery, Sophila was left with only one other option. That’s the Left Ventricular Assisted Device (LVAD). The LVAD is a surgically placed battery-operated mechanical pump that moves blood from the left ventricle to rest of the body. The LVAD, device maintenance, surgical costs, hospital stay, recovery, rehabilitation, and medications will be expensive. Even with insurance, the coverage for the device and associated charges are minimal and large copays are required. Sophila only has a set number of weeks to be non -working before her insurance will require an increase in insurance premium costs to have COBRA health coverage. Sophila will have to pack up and leave her hometown to be close to her heart doctors and transplant team. Financial help is needed as we pray this surgical intervention will allow Sophila to continue to live an active, productive, fulfilling life.
Sophila is a dedicated hard worker providing for herself and family since the age of 14. Even as a single teenage mom at the age of 15, Sophila never gave up and always moved forward with a smile. Determined to obtain her goals she graduated from Bakersfield College as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and completed the Registered Nurse (RN) program. Sophila has worked at various local hospitals, mental and behavioral health facilities, and is currently employed at a Cancer center. Since diagnosis with her condition, Sophila obtained her Bachelors of Nursing from University of Phoenix and was on her way to entering a Nurse Practitioner Program. Since her diagnosis Sophila’s father, step-mom, grandma, and brother have all passed away and she continues to move forward with a smile.
Sophila has a big radiant smile to go along with her big caring heart. When you look at her you wouldn’t think she has a life-threatening heart condition. She has always helped others in need even when she really didn’t have it to give. Sophila goes above and beyond to care for her patients as if they were her own family and loved ones. Sophila now is the one in need of help from family, friends, co-workers, people in the community and around the world. Any donation amount will be a blessing and greatly appreciated. This will allow Sophila to take her mind off of finances and focus on healing and rehabilitation. Thank you.
The doctors attempted to place another mitral clip in 2017 but were unsuccessful. Due to some complications Sophila had to stay in the ICU at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. With family and friends praying for Sophila, her heart function showed improvements and she was able to return home. At that point Sophila was told to lose 90 lbs. before she was able to go on the heart transplant list. After cardiac clearance was obtained, Sophila used surgical intervention and healthy eating habits to lose the required weight. Since then she has been working and spending time with family and friends.
After years of living life to fullest with a big smile its now 2019 and Sophila’s heart condition has worsened. Not knowing when a heart would become an available match or if her health condition would be considered stable for the heart transplant surgery, Sophila was left with only one other option. That’s the Left Ventricular Assisted Device (LVAD). The LVAD is a surgically placed battery-operated mechanical pump that moves blood from the left ventricle to rest of the body. The LVAD, device maintenance, surgical costs, hospital stay, recovery, rehabilitation, and medications will be expensive. Even with insurance, the coverage for the device and associated charges are minimal and large copays are required. Sophila only has a set number of weeks to be non -working before her insurance will require an increase in insurance premium costs to have COBRA health coverage. Sophila will have to pack up and leave her hometown to be close to her heart doctors and transplant team. Financial help is needed as we pray this surgical intervention will allow Sophila to continue to live an active, productive, fulfilling life.
Sophila is a dedicated hard worker providing for herself and family since the age of 14. Even as a single teenage mom at the age of 15, Sophila never gave up and always moved forward with a smile. Determined to obtain her goals she graduated from Bakersfield College as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and completed the Registered Nurse (RN) program. Sophila has worked at various local hospitals, mental and behavioral health facilities, and is currently employed at a Cancer center. Since diagnosis with her condition, Sophila obtained her Bachelors of Nursing from University of Phoenix and was on her way to entering a Nurse Practitioner Program. Since her diagnosis Sophila’s father, step-mom, grandma, and brother have all passed away and she continues to move forward with a smile.
Sophila has a big radiant smile to go along with her big caring heart. When you look at her you wouldn’t think she has a life-threatening heart condition. She has always helped others in need even when she really didn’t have it to give. Sophila goes above and beyond to care for her patients as if they were her own family and loved ones. Sophila now is the one in need of help from family, friends, co-workers, people in the community and around the world. Any donation amount will be a blessing and greatly appreciated. This will allow Sophila to take her mind off of finances and focus on healing and rehabilitation. Thank you.
Organizer
Chavon Hodges
Organizer
Bakersfield, CA
