Make a Difference in Kyler's Fight Against Heart Failure

On January 1st, 2023, my little brother Kyler spent his New Year's Eve at Amarillo Hospital. When a lot of the world was celebrating the hopeful beginnings of another year ahead, Kyler would be diagnosed with Stage C congestive heart failure just a few weeks before his 20th birthday. This devastating news laid out a cruel and exhausting path for him that most people his age never face.

Since the initial diagnosis, Kyler's condition has progressed to Stage D CHF. He has undergone many painful tests, terrifying surgeries and tons of daunting unknowns as he fought just to live in what should have been some of the most formative years of his life.

With the many ups and downs, we were optimistic when several months after the diagnosis his heart function started to go up from the pharmacy-level amount of medications he takes. He's done his best to take care of himself while living alone, trying to get his college degree online, and finally having to be on disability due to intense physical limitations which prevent him from working a regular job.

This candid pre-op of my brother was taken before a surgery to take out an infected implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD); a small, battery-powered device that's implanted in the chest to detect and correct irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmias. Because of how low his heart function had been, hovering around 18% and lower, Kyler was high risk for spontaneously going into cardic arrest at any time and almost did so several times. This amounted to multiple ER trips over the last couple of years along with other complications. After getting the ICD to help mitigate that risk, he got the wound site became infected and had to be treated, resulting in a more than 2 week hospital stay. After which, he wore an uncomfortable device called a life vest 24/7 for months. This served the same purpose as the ICD without implantation, but was risky to take off even to shower briefly. Between lugging around these medical devices, receiving home health care, an astronimical array of daily and nightly medications, upside down sleep schedules and spending all of his time either in a hospital or at home (being unable to stand walking up and down stairs or warm temperatures), Kyler's life has been anything but the normal, mostly-enjoyable life of a young man in his twenties.

Truthfully, it is never going to be easy asking for help with something like this, especially when in these unprecedented times everyone is already struggling to pay their bills or afford the simple pleasures of life. But I finally set up this GoFundMe for my brother with the hopes of not only making it easier for him and my family to endure the financial burdens of medical expenses and travel--as we all currently live in different states than him and he is often flown for necessary special care to the Heart Hospital of UT Dallas--but to help give him the chance to enjoy the world as he deserves with a sense of peace.

Especially because he has now made it through the biggest uncertainty and most terrifying step of this journey so far: with the help of his medical team at UT Dallas Southwest, Kyler has successfully undergone surgery for an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) that has given him a new and better chance at life.

The device that now helps pump Kyler's blood for his heart. ^

Without this surgery--which we were unsure of whether he would even make it through or not--Kyler's weak heart would, without a doubt, not have allowed him to celebrate another birthday by next year.

We celebrate all of the little victories that come through this unconscionably oppressive part of Kyler's story, but my little brother's new normal will always look very different and has for what feels like lifetimes. He'll be going through some HUGE adjustments (an understatement, to say the least) with the LVAD in his heart. Now that his chances at life have gone from 0% to about 98%, and we're so grateful to still have him around, his journey is still far from over. The next steps will be all about recovery and finding a way to cope with his new normal. As of January 26th 2025, he is dealing with the aftermath of this major surgery which included some unforseen and terrifying complications. Once he was discharged from UT Dallas SW the week of 2/3-2/7, he needs to remain in Dallas and near his heart team for a period of 1-3 months for healing and recovery. This kind of housing and postcare is nothing short of expensive, and we're still trying to cover all of his regualr medical costs as well as everyday bills and travel, and to retain his residence in Amarillo, TX for when he finally gets to go home.

Although his remaining optimism and strength in this critical time are nothing short of admirable, we look to community for strength and support as this long and painful journey has taken a heavy, heavy toll on him mentally, physically and emotionally. I could tell you by the novel how my little brother is at heart a sweet, generous, down-to-earth, outdoorsy, animal-loving, intelligent, goofy, highly ambitious, loves-to-cook extraordinary person, who was dealt a very hard life even before he developed a serious heart condition. But I only hope with every ounce of my being that I can help make the rest of his time on earth worthwhile, even in little ways, and that others may find it in their working hearts to do the same.

Spent a day out of the house fishing with friends back when his heart function was going up on its own!

A few of the meals he likes to cook himself.

All of which are seasoned generously with anything except salt as it puts too much strain on his heart and causes his body to retain fluid, which could (and has) result in organ failure.

Healthy and delicious breakfast (hold the bacon, please)!

Holding his little dog Bentley (or as we call her, peanut).

Thanksgiving 2021, enjoying a dinner Kyler had prepared for us himself in his apartment!

Decorating a gingerbread house during a visit I made to him for Christmas (his turned out waaayyy better than mine but that's okay.) ☃️

Any help you can offer besides prayers or positive thoughts will make a huge difference in Kyler's journey. That can mean a dollar donation, sharing this link, or even sending a message of hope and positivity to share with Kyler, and it will all be appreciated with equal gratitude.

May anything you decide to give during this time be brought back to you tenfold.

Your donations will directly help Kyler with the cost of his temporary patient recovery housing, regular checkups during healing, the extensive hospital stays leading up to and traveling back and forth from home, alleviating general medical debt and medication costs, his ability to keep his apartment and the bills afloat, and, by extension, keep his spirits up as well. While I've been doing my best to thank each donor for their generosity, Kyler would love the opportunity to thank all donors himself, or at least receive a positive affirmation, as he is overwhelmed with the kindness of each and every one involved in his cause. If you want to send him a message personally, he is on Facebook under Kyler Andersen. This is also where he often posts updates about his medical journey himself if you'd like to keep up with his progress. Thank you all so much for your shows of empathy, compassion and support! Together we are making his fight against heart failure more and more possible!

Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

Be well and peace be with you!