Caring for Terry Arnold

My cousin, Terry Arnold, was born with an inherited heart condition called Aortic Stenosis.  A recent echocardiogram revealed that his aortic valve was leaking severely and he would need surgery to repair it.  However, before this surgery was scheduled, an infection set in around his heart which later spread throughout his body.  He was admitted to a hospital in Duluth, Minnesota where his condition continued to worsen and he was put on life support while doctors determined how to treat him.

Terry was flown to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota where he was given a 5-10% chance of survival.  His family had to make a difficult decision:  Remove his leg, which was full of infection and blood clots, or take him off life support and let him go.  They chose to lean on their faith and trust that God would see Terry through this surgery if that was His will.

Terry’s entire leg was removed, leaving him without the option of using a prosthetic limb.  The surgery was successful and doctors increased his chance of survival to 50%.  A surgery to save his arm quickly followed and, finally, the procedure to repair his heart valve, which had completely disintegrated due to the amount of infection around his heart.

Terry’s surgeries were successful, but he remains unconscious and doctors are still attempting to fully rid his body of infection and blood clots.  His family is overjoyed that he is alive and they are ever so grateful for the ongoing prayers of friends and family.

Terry relocated to Minnesota for his job, but his entire family lives in Michigan, which only made this situation more difficult.  I am asking for donations to assist family members and friends with the expenses associated with traveling to and from Minnesota to offer Terry support.  We would like to have family at his bedside as much as possible.  The costs of airline tickets, hotel stays, car rentals and food can quickly escalate, but we feel it is vital to Terry’s recovery that he is surrounded with the love and support of friends and family.  The thought of him recovering in a hospital room alone is heart wrenching.

Please consider blessing Terry and his family with a donation.  Your contribution would be greatly appreciated.