My name is Tamara, I am 53 and for the past 34 years, I have been a hairdresser and I am also a PCA (patient care assistant). I have 2 stepchildren and a WONDERFUL husband. We moved to Madison almost 5 years ago from Northern Virginia to have a more quiet and calmer lifestyle. I enjoy growing herbs and veggies in my garden, spending time outside with my dogs, and going on hikes, but A-fib and fast heart rate make it hard.

About 2 years ago, I started being hospitalized because of my Atrial Fibrillation, which causes my heart to randomly beat irregularly and my heart rate to rise to the upper 140s, making me short of breath and dizzy. I also suffer from Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure. The effects of this cause the heart wall to not pump the way it's designed to, as well as lots of swelling throughout my legs and around my heart, causing more breathing problems. This can be controlled with medication and a change of diet.

I have an appointment set up to fix my heart by getting what's called an Ablation, but since I have no insurance and do not qualify for financial assistance, my total will be $70,592.48 plus my balance from my previous hospitalization $29,697.47, which has to be paid before we can move forward. 25% ($17,892.62) is due 10 days before my procedure.