Hi everyone,
I never imagined I would be writing something like this, but our family is in a place where we truly need help. My mom is on the path to a heart transplant.
My mom has spent the last 8 years serving others as a 911 operator—being the calm voice on the other end of the line during people’s worst moments. She has always been the one people could count on. Now, she’s the one who needs help.
Due to serious and worsening heart complications over the past 3 years my mom was let go from her job in March, because she physically could no longer keep up with the demands of the role. At the same time, her condition forced her to move out of her home due to her inability to navigate stairs safely
Over the past year, she has fought incredibly hard to regain her health. She has undergone multiple heart catheterizations, with stents placed to open blocked arteries. For a while, those procedures gave us hope. But after a hospital stay in January—where two additional stents were placed—her symptoms did not improve. Instead, they continued to worsen.
Since then, she has endured countless medication changes, but nothing has been effective in controlling her condition.
After exhausting all other options, her doctors have determined that a heart transplant is now her only path forward.
She has already begun cardiac rehabilitation three times a week, doing everything in her power to stay strong. Unfortunately, other surgical options are not viable due to the complexity of her condition:
* An LVAD is not an option due to her heart function levels
* Open heart surgery is not possible because of the stiffness of her heart
Extensive testing has confirmed this path:
* Left and right heart catheterizations showed significant blockages
* A stress echocardiogram ruled out valve-related solutions
* A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) showed severely reduced heart function—where a normal score is around 25, hers is just 8
What Comes Next
The next step is a heart transplant evaluation in Dallas, which will take 3–4 days. During this time, doctors will determine her eligibility and potentially place her on the transplant list.
If she is approved, the journey ahead is intense:
* A minimum 10-day hospital stay after transplant
* At least 3 months living in Dallas for recovery and monitoring
* A caregiver must be with her 24/7 during that time
Her Daily Reality
Right now, everyday life is incredibly difficult for her. She is living with:
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain
* Dizziness and weakness
* The inability to stand for more than a few minutes
* Dependence on a walker
* Needing help with basic daily tasks
How You Can Help
We are raising $13,000 to help cover:
* Travel and extended stay in Dallas
* Medical-related expenses not covered by insurance
* Daily living costs during recovery
* Caregiving support needs
If you’re able to donate, no matter the amount, it would mean more to us than we can ever express. If you can’t donate, sharing this page is just as impactful.
My mom has spent her life showing up for others in their hardest moments. We’re asking, from the bottom of our hearts, for help showing up for her now.
Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting our family during this incredibly difficult time. ❤️
Margaret Holt, Michele’s mother, is named as beneficiary as this is who Michele currently lives with and helps manage her personal finances.