Support Andrea's Critical Vascular Surgery and Recovery ❤️‍

My Urgent Plea

Hi, My name is Andrea for those who know me I go by (Andy) or Mawmaw I am 45 years old. I am a wife, a mom to 1 beautiful daughter, and Maw-maw to 4 precious grand-boys. I have been chronically ill since 25 but you wouldn’t know that if I didn’t tell you. I live with 7 autoimmune diseases, cardiomyopathy, and a host of other issues. I have faced many health challenges over the years but nothing as serious as this. I have a condition called SUPERIOR VENA CAVA SYNDROME and that is blocking 90% of the blood flow to my upper body its the 2nd largest vein in your body it carries deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, arms, and chest to the heart's right atrium. It's located in the superior and middle mediastinum of the body. When the SVC is blocked or pressured, preventing blood from flowing normally to the heart this causes a buildup of fluid or swelling and can lead to serious complications (including death) if left untreated. I have to have this surgery and I am currently in a position where I need help. My husband is a disabled Gulf War veteran so we live on a fixed income and while it’s hard to ask for help I don’t know what else to do as this is a BIG SURGERY (I need multiple surgeries involving my vascular system and heart all in one. I explained below to try and help) but this surgery will happen in December and I need your help. I’ve already had multiple trips back and forth from WV to Cleveland (each trip for an overnight with fuel, hotel, and usually 2 meals (1 a piece each day as we try to save and eat snacks after our 1 meal) the cost is $450 dollars for 1 night. No amount is too small and we appreciate every contribution. God bless ✝️

I love Jesus Christ and I love my grand-boys so I’m praying that ALL of you will help me make this happen. There’s so much to explain and I feel like everyone deserves a good explanation if they’re willing to donate their hard-earned money so I’m going to try to do this without writing a book

Symptoms include:Trouble breathing, Chocking feeling,Swallowing difficulty, Coughing, Swelling of the face, neck, upper body, and arms, Swelling of neck or chest veins,Hoarse voice,Trouble swallowing, Headache, Rapid breathing, Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, Coughing up blood, Feeling full easy when eating, Not able to lie past 45 degree angle.

Symptoms often get worse when the person bends forward or lies down.

* The faster the SVC is blocked, the more severe the symptoms. This is because the other veins don’t have time to widen and adjust to the change in blood flow

My Urgent Plea continued:

I met with a cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Soltesz on September 26 at Cleveland Clinic to assess a condition and the vascular surgeon Dr. Lyden on October 27 to discuss my case and start my preop test. I have had my echocardiogram, my deep vein mapping (so they could access what my vascular system looked like before surgery) and CT angiogram. I have 2 more test before surgery can happen but surgery will be in December. My IR team in WV has been managing my SVC syndrome with balloon angioplasty but after 16 angioplasties if I continued to have these procedures I was highly risking a tear or completely blown SVC vein which would kill me before they could do anything to stop the bleeding.

My SVC and brachiocephalic veins were damaged by multiple power ports and steroids that were needed for the treatment of my 7 autoimmune diseases.

I’m now in an urgent position that without SVC Bypass surgery my blood supply to my upper body will close off and I will die. The surgery has to happen ASAP and I was not expecting all this to happen so quickly but here I am. I am being scheduled for 3 surgeries (that will take place at the same time) 2 procedures and one treatment 2-3 days before the big surgery.

I will have a cardiac catheterization to check for any blockages in my heart (if there are any they will be fixed while I’m open (sternotomy) for SVC Reconstruction I will have one last venogram/angioplasty of the SVC performed before surgery to let the built-up blood and pressure from the occlusion return to a normal flow so I don’t bleed excessively during surgery and I’ll have Intravenous Immunoglobulin treatment to boost my immune system and help keep me from having a Myasenthia Gravis crisis during/after surgery (one of my autoimmune diseases.

The BIG SURGERY:

This will be with a care team approach: cardiothoracic surgeon, vascular surgeon, electrophysiologist, and anesthesiologist who specializes in Myasenthia Gravis protocol (I can’t have certain sedation because it could cause me to stop breathing (diaphragm muscles get weak and go into a crisis)

This is basically what will happen during surgery

* Vascular surgeon: will be harvesting my Femoral Veins from both legs (we found out during testing mine are both small so it will take both legs to make a big enough graft)

* Cardiothoracic surgeon: will perform a sternotomy (a surgical procedure that involves making a vertical incision in the sternum to access the heart and other chest cavity structures

* The cardiothoracic surgeon/Vascular surgeon will work together to determine the length graft. Both femoral veins will be made into a graft and they will hand sew it then replace my damaged SVC and brachiocephalic vein as well as any other damaged area they find.

*Cardiothoracic Surgeon & Electrophysiologist

Defibrillator /Pacemaker lead extraction: opens the area where the leads are attached to the ICD, disconnects the leads, and then uses a laser or mechanical sheath to free the leads from the heart muscle and scar tissue.

* Electrophysiologist: LEADLESS AICD placed on the outside of the heart as the chance of scar tissue/ lead’s breaking is too risky after such a complex surgery and it could cause scarring of my new SVC graft in the future.

I will be inpatient for at least 2 weeks in the hospital and on a ventilator after surgery 1-2 days depending on how my body responds. I will need to stay in a hotel for the 2-3 days of procedures leading up to my BIG SURGERY. I will need my husband/family member with me at all times. I will have a 3 month recovery time that will require multiple trips/testing after surgery for follow-up care.

How Your Support Will Help

Your generous donations will go directly towards:

* Lodging and Food

* Transportation cost to and from WV to Cleveland Clinic for follow-up medical appointments

* Boarding my 2-year-old Mastiff (knowing he’s being taken care of 24/7 will ease my stress level significantly

* Unforeseen expenses that my insurance may decline such as medical equipment, medication, etc.

Our Goal

We’re humbly asking for your assistance to ease the enormous financial burden during this critical time. This amount will help us ensure I receive the best possible care throughout my recovery journey, from the multiple procedures days before my big surgery, ICU, rehabilitation, recovery, and the many follow-up appointments that will require fuel cost of traveling to and from WV to Cleveland Clinic, lodging, and food.

Every Contribution Matters

I’m hoping that with the support of our community, and the support of everyone who reads this I will reach my goal. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in my fight for life and recovery.

Thank You

From the bottom of my family’s hearts, we thank you for your support, whether it's through a donation, sharing this campaign, or sending positive thoughts. Most importantly my family asks for your prayers during this difficult time. I know we serve a Big God who has been so good to me and I know I wouldn’t have made it this far without Him. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to me and my family.

Psalms 4:8 KJV

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety"

(my comfort verse before surgeries or when I can’t sleep) I pray it helps someone else who may be struggling as well ✝️

With immense gratitude,

The Acton Family