Supporting Brandon’s Emergency Heart Surgery

Update (July 18th): We're almost at 25% of our goal, and I can't thank everyone enough. This fundraiser has helped us to afford food, dog sitting, and medical expenses.

Unfortunately, Brandon's recovery was re-estimated today from 2 months to 6-12 months. In the doctor's words, "You took a literal chainsaw to the chest. It’s one of, if not the most serious surgery a person can have."

This shifts the timeline in an unfortunate direction, and makes this fundraiser that much more valuable as we apply for disability and Brandon finds non-strenuous employment that doesn't extend that timeline any further.

Thank you.

-Wesley

Update (June 12th): Surgery went without complications, and Brandon is recovering steadily. My gratitude is truly inexpressible, and I can't thank you all enough.

Hi everyone reading this,

On Monday, my dad, Brandon Combs, is receiving a triple bypass open-heart surgery.

Over the last few months, my dad has suffered multiple strokes and heart attacks due to multiple blocked arteries stopping blood flow to his heart.

10 years ago, after going through chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Brandon's pancreas was severely damaged. Unbeknownst to us for a long time, he then became insulin-resistant and developed type 2 diabetes. This led to a series of medical issues that has resulted in the 3 main arteries of his heart being 80%, 95%, and 95% blocked. Following a heart catherization on June 3rd, he was immediately transferred to St. Joseph's Medical Center for open heart surgery, he has been in the hospital awaiting the procedure since. While we're fortunate that the cardiac unit at here have him in good care, the experience has hit Brandon and Christi, his life partner, hard.

Both Brandon and Christi have struggled to work during these recent events, as:

As far as the operation goes, on Monday morning, my dad will receive a triple bypass graft. He will be hospitalized for 4 days, and then discharged home. For a few weeks, he will need help eating, moving, and performing basic tasks. He will also be a high-level fall risk. Since he has had strokes before, he is at a higher risk of experiencing a stroke during this recovery phase. The chance of further complications is about 15 to 20%.

This fundraiser would go towards:

The fundraiser will help Christi to stay home for at least the next few weeks, to:

Thank you in advance to anyone who is able to donate, but feel no obligation. Every little bit helps, but we're just grateful for your time and consideration. Support comes in many forms.

Thank you,

Wesley Combs

(Brandon's son)