Support Fredo's Heart Transplant Journey

Try to imagine snowboarding and being diagnosed with a failing heart, all in one day. That's what happened to Fredo.

He was at the top of his game, just starting his career and making plans for the future. He went snowboarding with friends in February, 2021. He felt a little sluggish, but he figured he was a little out of shape. Work was busy, and he hadn't had the time to do the things he loved like snowboarding, rock climbing, and skateboarding.

But it didn't get better. He went to a doctor, who thought it might be pneumonia. Fredo got a pulse oximeter at the pharmacy, and watched his heart rate jump around at 200 beats per minute. He drove himself to the hospital, and after a few tests, they told him he was in heart failure.

It was a whirlwind after that. Over the next 3 months, Fredo spent more time admitted to the hospital than he spent at home. He suffered a massive stroke, but thanks to quick nurses and miracle medicines, he recovered with no deficits. However, the heart kept getting worse.

May 10, 2021, Fredo was doing another stint on the cardiac floor, and his organs started shutting down from lack of blood flow. He experienced cardiogenic shock, and cardioversion, twice. He was hooked to a balloon pump while they prepared to place a left ventricle assist device, commonly called an LVAD.

Fredo did as he always does, coming through things with high spirits, introspective thoughts, and good humor. He felt better, but it was still a new normal to adjust to. He was reliant on batteries, or plugging into an electrical outlet, to power the pump in his chest. He needed regular sterile dressing changes for the power cord coming out of his abdomen. But it was handled with grace. Fredo dove back into work. He traded rock climbing and snowboarding for chess. He started piano lessons. He was listed on the transplant list, but was warned that due to his blood type, it could take years to find match.

There were bad days, but good months, as the next few years past. Fredo settled in to a routine of work, family, friends, and new hobbies. In December of 2023, at a routine appointment, doctors told Fredo that something was wrong with the LVAD. They brought in a specialist with a stethoscope that recorded the sound of the LVAD to be analyzed, and it was decided that the pump was failing. It was recommended Fredo be admitted to the hospital, and moved to a top priority for a transplant.

On February 4, Fredo was given the gift of a heart, almost exactly 3 years after the diagnosis. It was a bumpy surgery, and a long road to recovery. We don't know what lies ahead, but we do know that there will be lifelong medications, appointments, and precautions.

Fredo is home, but due to the long hospitalization before transplant, he burnt through his FMLA. Against his doctors recommendations, he had to return to work barely a month after transplant to keep his insurance. We’re now hoping for the healthiest year possible, with no complications, which would put his insurance, and his care, at risk. The hospital bills are also starting to roll in, the cost of anti-rejection medications are no joke, and as everyone knows, insurance doesn't come close to covering everything. Because of Fredo’s work ethic, determination to continue the job he loves, and keep his insurance, he isn't eligible for any assistance.

We know this is a tough time for everyone, but any little bit you can share would go a long way to supporting Fredo in this time of instability and uncertainty. We are so grateful to all his friends who have walked with him through this, and been there for the good and bad.