Tim Needs Your Help

On August 22, 2017, like any other day, Tim set out to go to work at approximately 5am. After getting gas and a cup of coffee, he started to feel really uncomfortable with both shoulders, arms, and hands going numb. With that, he instantly pulled over and took a breather in the middle of a deserted random parking lot hoping it would pass. It was not getting any better. At this point, Tim became nervous about any one even finding him in his truck alive, so he decided to take the risk and drove himself home. Once arriving, his wife, with worry in her voice, asked what he was doing home. He responded with "there is something very wrong, I might be having a heart attack." She immediately called 911. He was quickly transported to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, CA. After a series of tests, it was confirmed he did suffer a heart attack. Not just any heart attack, but a very rare one called SCAD. He then would spend the next week in the hospital before being released on the proper medication and the healing process to begin. Since SCAD is so different from a normal heart attack it was risky to repair. It became a waiting game for the artery to repair itself which would take at least 6 to 8 weeks. After that time and after yet another CT Scan, he was told it had healed 100% and there would be no need for open heart surgery but they told him that they cannot  tell him it will not happen again. At this point is was great news that he could start working towards getting back to as normal as a life as he could expect. 

Fast forward a week later and Tim was once again faced with yet another serious end.  

It was an early Sunday morning and he was excited to spend the day with his son. Just as the day had started, it was quickly cut short by Tim recognizing the sudden pain in his back and knowing something was seriously wrong. His son drove him home immediately and to let his wife know and to take him to Hoag Hospital. They were able to manage the pain. After about 7 long hours he was then sent home but with instructions to see an orthopedic surgeon the very next day. After another series of tests and scans and an MRI they identified the very serious condition, a massive herniated ruptured disc in his T10, 11, 12 area that would require immediate surgery due to pressing on his spinal code and causing bleeding. It was also a factor that his heart may not be strong enough to perfom this procedure so we had to wait for approval from all doctors involved to go forward.The procedure was extremely intense which included going through his rib cage on his right side, collapsed a lung, removing a partial rib. Then a cage was put in place to fill the gap from the damaged area. The surgery was 5 hours long with an entire team monitoring everything and calling our family with updates throughout the surgery. After the surgery Tim was so miserable he asked the doctor what would have happened had he not gone through with the surgery and they let him know that he was one fall or twist away from being paralyzed or worse killed from the condition. That moment he realized this surgery was the best decision he made.

Complete recovery will take up to a full year. This has been very difficult time mentally, physically, financially to say the least for Tim and his family that he has provided for for the last 32 years and 26 and 29 years for his children.

The funds will help the family tremendously. Tim is such an amazing father and friend and has always been there for others. Please help the Cagle family in this time of need. 

Thank you in advance for all that you do.