Support for Life-Saving Treatment and Care

Hi everyone,

I don't know where to even begin. I'll try my best here and Thank You in advance for reading what I'm about to write. Sincerely. I'll try to keep this as simple as possible. I was diagnosed with a critical illness, and was told about a year ago I have less than two years to live. My life has changed dramatically and I'm thankful to all that have been there to support me. I was diagnosed with Severe Pulmonary Hypertension, and here's how it all started. Please bare with me.

One day I got sick, and went to the ER, in July of 2024. I was diagnosed with covid. I was really bad for about 5 days when I went in. They gave me the diagnosis and thankfully I started feeling a little better a few days later. The doctor prescribed me a cough medicine and said if I survive just a couple more days I would be in the clear. Well, 30 days went by, and at work, which required me to go upstairs and downstairs frequently, I noticed I was experiencing Shortness of Breath. It was so bad that I literally thought I was going to die, just walking up and down. Knowing about covid, I thought this would be normal especially because it was my first time to my knowledge that I had just gotten it. I went back to the ER, and was hospitalized for 3 days. Everything was fine, they ran test on me, and I'll never forget the kindness of the nurses. They said I would be ok and that this should pass because my oxygen levels, my vitals, everything was good. On the day of my release, a Cardiologist and a pulmonologist came in and said I was Fatal and I had less than two years to live and they wanted for me to do a procedure called a right heart cath. Forgive me for taking so long to explain what happened, I'm only doing this because I feel that anyone that finds it in their heart to help me deserves to know exactly what took place. So now I'm in shock, and asked the doctor out of confusion, are you telling me that I'm dying? He said YES! I was so freaked out, and said please let me go home and I'll do this procedure if possible outpatient. He wasn't really happy and told me, I don't think you understand what's really going on with you however yes, we can do this outpatient.

From that day on, my life literally changed. I went to see a pulmonologist, which I had only spoken to for 5 mins. He was very professional, yet directly to the point. I explained to him that in the ER they told me I was Fatal, and asked him if there was a possibility that there was a misdiagnosis. He explained to me that my diagnosis was real, and that unfortunately based on what he reviewed, that I had 3-5 years to live and explained to me that the right side of my heart was enlarged. When I asked him if this was covid related, he said no. Based on his reviews of my scans, this has been going on for at least 2-3 years. I was literally in fear during and after this visit. He recommended I do some exams, unfortunately I didn't have the right insurance and as I went to do these exams, I got shot down unfortunately.

Moving forward, I continued to work, and family and friends said please get a second and third opinion. This all began in Orlando. I grew up in South Florida, and was recommended to see a top cardiologist that wasn't even accepting new patients, by the name of Dr. Gorin in Aventura, Florida. Though the Blessing of God, a great friend of mine who knew him personally, asked him to please help me. He did thankfully.

My first visit with him was in October, and he is such an amazing Doctor! He took his time with me, made me feel comfortable especially in this crisis. He did agree with the diagnosis unfortunately. However, he did tell me to get the two years out of my head. He put me on an entry level treatment, which helped me breathe a little bit better, and helped me walk a little bit further than the normal that I was experiencing. Everything changed for me, I'm not able to walk far distances, can't walk upstairs, and got dizzy more frequently and it's been a nightmare. The treatment helped me a little thank God. He explained to me that I had to do the Right heart Cath to see exactly where I was at.

So in January of 2025, I finally did the procedure. It was discovered that my right side of my heart was enlarged, and also had a hole. I was hoping for the best, and just got bad news unfortunately. I continued to work, as best to my ability, and I just couldn't anymore. My condition worsened everyday that went by little by little. On paper, unfortunately, I'm considered Disabled. I stopped working on March 24, 2025.

I did have benefits from my job. Short term Disability insurance and critical illness. Long story short, I was supposed to receive about $600 per week on my short term disability insurance, and receive a 10k-30k payout for critical illness. The insurance companies denied my claims and said it was because my policy had started January 1st, 2025, and this was Pre-existing! I was devastated. I've never been in this situation ever in my life.

Dr Gorin recommended me to the University of Miami. I'm now an official patient and he presented my case. He said that they would be able to provide me the best treatment, and worse case scenario, if needed, I would need a heart transplant. So now I've gone to the University of Miami, had met with a cardiologist that did another right heart Cath, in May. The good news was that he discovered that I didn't have a hole in my heart. I've had family and friends praying for me all over the world, which has been the most beautiful and soothing gift I have received throughout all this. Thank the Good Lord.

He referred me to a pulmonologist, Dr Demaco, who I only met once for a consultation and explained to her everything I've been though on this journey. Amazing amazing Dr. So she wants to start me on this treatment. Explained to me that she was sorry it took almost a year to get to her, and that she would be in charge of my case moving forward. It's been a nightmare with appointments, referrals, etc etc. She sent me for her own series of tests, and one exam that's called the 6 minute walk test, I failed miserably. Basically, I've been suffering for almost a year and this exam that I thought would be easy, revealed to me what's really going on. When I'm sitting down, or driving, or on the couch relaxing, my oxygen levels are at 92 on the average. When I start moving, for example, just walking, my oxygen levels drop to 85-87. Which is fatal. I get dizzy, and after I saw it for myself, I finally understood what's really going on with me. It's scary!

I'm conclusion,

A couple of great friends recommended me to seek help on GoFundMe. I didn't want to do this out of shame, embarrassment, and honestly, I didn't want to announce this to the world. I'm at the point where I realized that it's ok to ask for help, especially in a life or death situation. I may not ever be able to work again. I've been mentally and physically drained, and I've done my best to maintain a positive attitude. I'm hoping and praying for the best, and this has been the greatest challenge of my life. I'm not rich, I've been able to survive up to this point about 5 months. As horrible as I feel asking, will you please find it your heart to help me? Anything will mean the world to me until I figure out my next move. I believe in God, and I was very scared to ask, however he gave me the courage to ask the world for help. Most importantly, I don't just seek financial assistance, I'm really seeking prayers. I'm hoping I can be be blessed here with your kindness and support, and ask that you please share this with your family, friends, companies.

I'm 44 and I'm ok with the Lord taking me when it's his time, all I ask of y'all is to please help this be a little bit less stressful for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and please keep me in your prayers. I'm sincerely grateful for you