Steves GoFundMe Recovery
Donation protected
First of all, we thank God to have Steve, Kate and Little Nate all still here with us today, and we thank all of you who showed your support while we were unsure of whether or not this would be the case in those few horrifying days of uncertainty that followed their wedding. While Steve and Kates wedding day started as one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, it ended in terror and widespread panic when Steve suddenly collapsed on the dance floor while holding his 8-month old son.
Thankfully there happened to be enough people there trained in this type of emergency response and able to keep their wits about them, call 911 and start performing CPR until the medics arrived. For all of those at the wedding including his closest friends and family who had to witness this, there are no words to explain how gut wrenchingly scarry this was, as no one knew at the time whether he was alive or dead- only that they were fighting to regain a pulse and breathing.
Steve was rushed to the hospital and put under sedation and paralytic agents for days while his body could try to recover from his second (yes second!) bout of myocarditis - an extremely dangerous condition of the heart that is rare to occure even once, let alone twice. His family and wife sat by his side in the CCU for days on edge of uncertainty if he would return to us, and if so if his heart would be able to work on its own and if he would be cognitively himself. After days of waiting Steve opened his eyes! and then he squeezed our hand in response to questions from the doctors!! to all of the doctors surprise, he finally was able to write on paper.. the only way he had been able to communicate since his wedding day. He first asked "what is happening?" and being Steve, his next concern was "somebody has to let work know!!!" and, finally (only after assured that work was informed of the situation) he asked his beautiful new bride Kate, "was the wedding fun?"... to which she replied with tears in her eyes "It was beautiful."
We are so happy/thankful/grateful that he is back with us today - and as the same man we all knew and loved as before!
However, he is now on numerous meds and needed a defibrillator (aka a "shock box") placed inside his chest in case this is to ever happen again.
While being alive is the best news we all were hoping for, unfortunately Steve woke up to learn that because of the addition of the defibrillator, he can no longer operate heavy machinery (which he has been passionately committed to for his entire young adult life) and he can no longer maintain his CDL license. It turns out he will very likely need to find a new career altogether; one that will not interfere with his new accessory. The big problem facing this bread winner and his young, new family at the present is that Steve recently left the Union in order to spend more time home with his new baby and join what he hoped and thought would be the job he would retire from at National Grid as a Crane Operator... but that was less than 6 months ago- a small technicality that carries with it devastating ramifications (the biggest of which may be no access to Disability Benefits, paid time off and the dark, looming storm cloud of medical bills overhead).
He went into Sep 2nd thinking it would be the happiest day of his life, but was one that left him with increased cardiac damage, major medical expenses, a wedding that he paid for yet doesnt remember, and without a job or certainty of income to count on going forward to provide for his newly christened family.
We all know that him and Kate would never ask for anything even if they needed it, but I also know how far all of your love and support has gotten them along the way thus far. Donations to help with their current tough situation, while minute in the grand sceme of the emotional support already given, would be forever remembered and appreciated.
Suggested donation $25.
Thankfully there happened to be enough people there trained in this type of emergency response and able to keep their wits about them, call 911 and start performing CPR until the medics arrived. For all of those at the wedding including his closest friends and family who had to witness this, there are no words to explain how gut wrenchingly scarry this was, as no one knew at the time whether he was alive or dead- only that they were fighting to regain a pulse and breathing.
Steve was rushed to the hospital and put under sedation and paralytic agents for days while his body could try to recover from his second (yes second!) bout of myocarditis - an extremely dangerous condition of the heart that is rare to occure even once, let alone twice. His family and wife sat by his side in the CCU for days on edge of uncertainty if he would return to us, and if so if his heart would be able to work on its own and if he would be cognitively himself. After days of waiting Steve opened his eyes! and then he squeezed our hand in response to questions from the doctors!! to all of the doctors surprise, he finally was able to write on paper.. the only way he had been able to communicate since his wedding day. He first asked "what is happening?" and being Steve, his next concern was "somebody has to let work know!!!" and, finally (only after assured that work was informed of the situation) he asked his beautiful new bride Kate, "was the wedding fun?"... to which she replied with tears in her eyes "It was beautiful."
We are so happy/thankful/grateful that he is back with us today - and as the same man we all knew and loved as before!
However, he is now on numerous meds and needed a defibrillator (aka a "shock box") placed inside his chest in case this is to ever happen again.
While being alive is the best news we all were hoping for, unfortunately Steve woke up to learn that because of the addition of the defibrillator, he can no longer operate heavy machinery (which he has been passionately committed to for his entire young adult life) and he can no longer maintain his CDL license. It turns out he will very likely need to find a new career altogether; one that will not interfere with his new accessory. The big problem facing this bread winner and his young, new family at the present is that Steve recently left the Union in order to spend more time home with his new baby and join what he hoped and thought would be the job he would retire from at National Grid as a Crane Operator... but that was less than 6 months ago- a small technicality that carries with it devastating ramifications (the biggest of which may be no access to Disability Benefits, paid time off and the dark, looming storm cloud of medical bills overhead).
He went into Sep 2nd thinking it would be the happiest day of his life, but was one that left him with increased cardiac damage, major medical expenses, a wedding that he paid for yet doesnt remember, and without a job or certainty of income to count on going forward to provide for his newly christened family.
We all know that him and Kate would never ask for anything even if they needed it, but I also know how far all of your love and support has gotten them along the way thus far. Donations to help with their current tough situation, while minute in the grand sceme of the emotional support already given, would be forever remembered and appreciated.
Suggested donation $25.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ton Ya
Organizer
Bolton, CT
Steve Pasternak
Beneficiary