Love for the Singhs - A Fight for Life
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At just 29 years old, Endocarditis and Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Glomerulonephritis are not a words that Matt or wife, Jacy had ever heard of before, like most of us. However these "terms" - what we now know as rare, ominous, life threatening condition's, have rocked their world and in the blink of an eye, threatened to take from them the very foundation of their family... Matt.
Matt.
A healthy, active 29 year old, Matt is your quintessential, hardworking, husband and father. A union electrician with IBEW Local 110 in the Twin Cities, he is also an avid outdoorsman, loyal son to his parents, his in-laws, and a friend to all. Matt has a strong work ethic and is always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. His greatest joy above all, is his adorable family. Newlywed to longtime companion, Jacy and brand new Daddy to baby Declan, just 10 months old. A new homeowner and a job that he loves...... he's living the dream, right? A simple life with family, friends, health and happiness. But life sometimes has other plans.
A SERIES OF FATEFUL EVENTS
March 14th, 2019
In early March of this year, Matt landed in the emergency room - his overall condition was tenuous and critical. His symptoms were many including; nausea and vomiting, loss of vision and control of his legs.
Preliminary tests diagnosed Matt with an aggressive staph infection that had spread through his blood causing septicemia. With significant weight gain (30 pounds in one week) and little improvement with antibiotic therapy, as well as the development of a new heart murmur, Matt underwent an echocardiogram, subsequently resulting in a worst case scenario, diagnosis of Endocarditis.
Source: Mayoclinic.org
What is Endocarditis?
What this means is the bacteria spread from Matt's blood into the inner valves of his heart, specifically his mitral valve.
Matt was immediately moved to Fairview Southdale Heart Center and scheduled for a transesophegeal echocardiogram. This procedure allowed doctors to better visualize the back of Matt's heart, especially his mitral valve. The procedure showed significant damage and regurgitation within the mitral valve, subsequently sending Matt into heart surgery. Endocarditis in young, healthy adults is rare, and within the mitral valve, even more so. Less than 2% of people are ever diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation. Matt swiftly underwent an 8 hour heart surgery where surgeons replaced his mitral valve with a mechanical valve. A condition that without surgical intervention, has 100% fatality rate.
His recovery was arduous and regimented, but crucial to his health. During this time, family and friends have been able to step in to assist the family with childcare and other needs to support them through this time of hardship. After several months, in June of 2019, Matt was finally able to return to work. His prognosis positive, Matt's life is still forever changed by this mechanical valve, and he will always have much stricter perimeters in which he will have to live to maintain his health and the overall function and welfare of his new heart valve.
July 14, 2019
Just as their lives seemed to be coming back together, Matt was hit again. This time with an even more critical situation.
On Sunday July 14th, Matt went to the emergency room with a decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, and blood tinged urine. Soon after arriving, Matt was diagnosed with Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Glomerulonephritis.
What is Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Glomerulonephritis?
Anti-GBM is a rare condition where autoantibodies injure small blood vessels in the kidneys and/ or the lungs. In Matt’s case, the autoantibodies are damaging his kidneys and not his lungs. This disease is very rare. Less than 1 in a million people ever receive this diagnosis.
Source: unckidneycenter.org
The Treatment.
Matt is currently hospitalized and being treated with the following:
Plasmapheresis: Matt’s is undergoing daily plasmapheresis to exchange his plasma with healthy plasma.
Hemodialysis: Matt’s creatinine is critical, which indicates that he is has impaired kidney function/kidney failure. When your kidneys are not functioning properly, hemodialysis works for your kidneys. Hemodialysis has filtered his blood to remove waste products and correct electrolyte balances. Hemodialysis has allowed Matt temporary improvements with his creatinine.
Corticosteroids: Matt’s treatment started with IV dosing of Solu-Medrol and has now moved to an oral dosing of prednisone to suppress his immune system.
Cytoxan: is a immunosuppressive medication used to treat Matt’s condition by decreasing his immune systems response. He has been hospitalized for treatment since Sunday, July 14th. If his kidney function does not improve he may need long-term dialysis until a kidney transplant becomes feasible.
Matt has undergone a series of biopsies of his kidneys to confirm what tests are showing and monitor his kidney function thoroughly.
Source: unckidneycenter.org
To Learn More About Anti-GBM Glomerulonephritis, CLICK HERE.
Whats Next?
Only time will determine the course of action for treatment and the long term prognosis. For now, Matt will remain hospitalized with continued daily steroid treatment, dialysis 5 times a week, plasmapheresis 3 times a week and chemo once a month. His numbers will be monitored every day to show how his body is reacting to the treatment. On top of dealing with a new life altering diagnosis, having a mechanical valve poses an increased risk for Matt as his immune system is suppressed. If he acquires an infection, it will compromise treatment for his Anti-GBM and put his new heart valve at grave risk.
Jacy & Declan.
As expected, Jacy has been next to Matt's side for the duration. Declan being so young and Matt's vulnerability so critical, Declan cannot visit his Daddy. Families have stepped in to assist with caring for baby Declan and their dog, allowing Jacy to remain vigilant next to her husband. The separation of the family, although advisable, has been devastating and difficult.
How to Help.
To our community; to our families, friends and colleagues; to other families who have experienced similar hardships and resonate with Jacy and Matt's situation; if you should find yourself wanting to support this sweet family during their time of peril, any and all contribution's will go directly to the Singh Family to be used towards their medical bills and deductibles, living expenses during their time away from work and added daycare and help needed for baby Declan during Matt's long term recovery. Let's surround them with love, kindness and positive energy so they may focus on healing and each other.
The circumstances are unimaginable and have overwhelmed them both emotionally and physically. They have the weight of the world on their shoulders. For us, it's been hard not to feel anger and despair in the face of such harrowing times - the constant question, "Why Matt? Why is this happening to such a good, healthy, young man and sweet family with nothing more than the desire to live life and love their family?" There are no good reasons. What we DO know is that no matter what happens, despite all of the hardships they face in this long journey to Matt's recovery and health, everything happens for a reason, and in the end, there will be good from this. Perspective is everything. They are grateful to have each other. They are grateful for each day. And they are grateful for the loving support coming their way.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone for supporting this family - lifting them up in spirit.
*My name is Kristin Hendrickson. Jacy is my sister and Matt is my brother-in-law. This has been written and published with the Singhs permission. Jacy and Matt are overwhelmed and while they are grateful for the concern and support, they have been unable to keep up with responding to everyone's messages and notes of concern and love. We will be adding updates to this page on their behalf, with regards to Matt's condition, so kindly refer back to this for those. Thank you again for your support! *
Matt.
A healthy, active 29 year old, Matt is your quintessential, hardworking, husband and father. A union electrician with IBEW Local 110 in the Twin Cities, he is also an avid outdoorsman, loyal son to his parents, his in-laws, and a friend to all. Matt has a strong work ethic and is always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. His greatest joy above all, is his adorable family. Newlywed to longtime companion, Jacy and brand new Daddy to baby Declan, just 10 months old. A new homeowner and a job that he loves...... he's living the dream, right? A simple life with family, friends, health and happiness. But life sometimes has other plans.
A SERIES OF FATEFUL EVENTS
March 14th, 2019
In early March of this year, Matt landed in the emergency room - his overall condition was tenuous and critical. His symptoms were many including; nausea and vomiting, loss of vision and control of his legs.
Preliminary tests diagnosed Matt with an aggressive staph infection that had spread through his blood causing septicemia. With significant weight gain (30 pounds in one week) and little improvement with antibiotic therapy, as well as the development of a new heart murmur, Matt underwent an echocardiogram, subsequently resulting in a worst case scenario, diagnosis of Endocarditis.
Source: Mayoclinic.orgWhat is Endocarditis?
What this means is the bacteria spread from Matt's blood into the inner valves of his heart, specifically his mitral valve.
Matt was immediately moved to Fairview Southdale Heart Center and scheduled for a transesophegeal echocardiogram. This procedure allowed doctors to better visualize the back of Matt's heart, especially his mitral valve. The procedure showed significant damage and regurgitation within the mitral valve, subsequently sending Matt into heart surgery. Endocarditis in young, healthy adults is rare, and within the mitral valve, even more so. Less than 2% of people are ever diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation. Matt swiftly underwent an 8 hour heart surgery where surgeons replaced his mitral valve with a mechanical valve. A condition that without surgical intervention, has 100% fatality rate.
His recovery was arduous and regimented, but crucial to his health. During this time, family and friends have been able to step in to assist the family with childcare and other needs to support them through this time of hardship. After several months, in June of 2019, Matt was finally able to return to work. His prognosis positive, Matt's life is still forever changed by this mechanical valve, and he will always have much stricter perimeters in which he will have to live to maintain his health and the overall function and welfare of his new heart valve.
July 14, 2019
Just as their lives seemed to be coming back together, Matt was hit again. This time with an even more critical situation.
On Sunday July 14th, Matt went to the emergency room with a decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, and blood tinged urine. Soon after arriving, Matt was diagnosed with Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Glomerulonephritis.
What is Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Glomerulonephritis?
Anti-GBM is a rare condition where autoantibodies injure small blood vessels in the kidneys and/ or the lungs. In Matt’s case, the autoantibodies are damaging his kidneys and not his lungs. This disease is very rare. Less than 1 in a million people ever receive this diagnosis.
Source: unckidneycenter.orgThe Treatment.
Matt is currently hospitalized and being treated with the following:
Plasmapheresis: Matt’s is undergoing daily plasmapheresis to exchange his plasma with healthy plasma.
Hemodialysis: Matt’s creatinine is critical, which indicates that he is has impaired kidney function/kidney failure. When your kidneys are not functioning properly, hemodialysis works for your kidneys. Hemodialysis has filtered his blood to remove waste products and correct electrolyte balances. Hemodialysis has allowed Matt temporary improvements with his creatinine.
Corticosteroids: Matt’s treatment started with IV dosing of Solu-Medrol and has now moved to an oral dosing of prednisone to suppress his immune system.
Cytoxan: is a immunosuppressive medication used to treat Matt’s condition by decreasing his immune systems response. He has been hospitalized for treatment since Sunday, July 14th. If his kidney function does not improve he may need long-term dialysis until a kidney transplant becomes feasible.
Matt has undergone a series of biopsies of his kidneys to confirm what tests are showing and monitor his kidney function thoroughly.
Source: unckidneycenter.orgTo Learn More About Anti-GBM Glomerulonephritis, CLICK HERE.
Whats Next?
Only time will determine the course of action for treatment and the long term prognosis. For now, Matt will remain hospitalized with continued daily steroid treatment, dialysis 5 times a week, plasmapheresis 3 times a week and chemo once a month. His numbers will be monitored every day to show how his body is reacting to the treatment. On top of dealing with a new life altering diagnosis, having a mechanical valve poses an increased risk for Matt as his immune system is suppressed. If he acquires an infection, it will compromise treatment for his Anti-GBM and put his new heart valve at grave risk.
Jacy & Declan.
As expected, Jacy has been next to Matt's side for the duration. Declan being so young and Matt's vulnerability so critical, Declan cannot visit his Daddy. Families have stepped in to assist with caring for baby Declan and their dog, allowing Jacy to remain vigilant next to her husband. The separation of the family, although advisable, has been devastating and difficult.
How to Help.
To our community; to our families, friends and colleagues; to other families who have experienced similar hardships and resonate with Jacy and Matt's situation; if you should find yourself wanting to support this sweet family during their time of peril, any and all contribution's will go directly to the Singh Family to be used towards their medical bills and deductibles, living expenses during their time away from work and added daycare and help needed for baby Declan during Matt's long term recovery. Let's surround them with love, kindness and positive energy so they may focus on healing and each other.
The circumstances are unimaginable and have overwhelmed them both emotionally and physically. They have the weight of the world on their shoulders. For us, it's been hard not to feel anger and despair in the face of such harrowing times - the constant question, "Why Matt? Why is this happening to such a good, healthy, young man and sweet family with nothing more than the desire to live life and love their family?" There are no good reasons. What we DO know is that no matter what happens, despite all of the hardships they face in this long journey to Matt's recovery and health, everything happens for a reason, and in the end, there will be good from this. Perspective is everything. They are grateful to have each other. They are grateful for each day. And they are grateful for the loving support coming their way.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone for supporting this family - lifting them up in spirit.
*My name is Kristin Hendrickson. Jacy is my sister and Matt is my brother-in-law. This has been written and published with the Singhs permission. Jacy and Matt are overwhelmed and while they are grateful for the concern and support, they have been unable to keep up with responding to everyone's messages and notes of concern and love. We will be adding updates to this page on their behalf, with regards to Matt's condition, so kindly refer back to this for those. Thank you again for your support! *
Organizer and beneficiary
Kristin Hendrickson
Organizer
Burnsville, MN
Matthew Singh
Beneficiary
