Tim's Urgent Pacemaker Maintenance
Donation protected
Tim is a 32 year old father of two who has faced serious heart issues since childhood and is now in urgent need of an immediate pacemaker battery replacement surgery.
At nine years old his heart murmur was first detected and it steadily worsened until at age 14 he underwent open heart surgery to repair the aortic valve.
Endocarditis set in at age 16 and doctors gave him only a 5% chance of survival. While he did beat those odds, the condition destroyed his aortic valve and yet another open heart surgery was required to install a pacemaker/defibrillator and a mechanical aortic valve.
During the following 16 years he suffered 8 TIAs (mini-strokes) and experiences problems with his balance, sight and speech as a result.
Due to recalls and battery issues, Tim has had to undergo multiple pacemaker related surgeries.
At 28, he had to have reconstructive foot and ankle surgery that left him with a serious limp. That same year, a clot was found in his artificial valve, which meant he had to have a third open heart surgery to install a new mechanical valve. Infection set in and almost claimed his life.
Tim is a fighter and his life revolves around his two beautiful children, Aidan (11) and Scarlett (6), and his life partner, Tabitha.
Despite his struggles, Tim was self-employed in the field of lawn care. However, the damage from his most recent mini-stroke and the pain in his chest are making it impossible for him to effectively make a living in this trade at this time. He is in constant pain, has shortness of breath, and frequent dizziness.
His pacemaker battery went off shortly before Christmas and he was told he had approximately THREE months before it died completely. Although he is totally dependent on his pacemaker to keep his heart going, hospitals are showing an indifference without up front payments because he is uninsured. Between the high cost of policies due to his pre-existing condition and his inability to work steadily, he has had no luck in obtaining affordable coverage.
He is worried that without help, he will not live to see his children grow. This is why we are asking for your help.
$300 is needed immediately in order to get the required echocardiogram. Doctors say due to his history and high risk of infection, additional tests may be required before surgery, depending on the results of the first one to assess current heart circumstances.
The hospital estimates the cost of the battery replacement to be between $20-35K.
There is also a matter of the hospital stay after the surgery (his being highly susceptible to infection will require monitoring), medications, follow up care, and other hospital charges.
Additional funds will be used to ensure his family still has food, heat, utilities, and a roof over their heads while he is unable to work.
Tim is a hard working man with a very gentle soul. He fights and survives against the odds because his family mean everything to him. Aidan and Scarlett NEED their father. He is their primary provider and their rock. He is completely dependent on a properly operating pacemaker to keep his heart going.
Please help us get him the lifesaving procedures he needs to continue living.
Time is growing VERY short so we need to raise funds as quickly as possible.
No amount is too small, as every drop helps to fill the bucket. Every donation will be greatly appreciated not only by Tim, but Tabitha, Aidan, Scarlett, his parents, and all of us who know and love him.
Thank you in advance for your support.
At nine years old his heart murmur was first detected and it steadily worsened until at age 14 he underwent open heart surgery to repair the aortic valve.
Endocarditis set in at age 16 and doctors gave him only a 5% chance of survival. While he did beat those odds, the condition destroyed his aortic valve and yet another open heart surgery was required to install a pacemaker/defibrillator and a mechanical aortic valve.
During the following 16 years he suffered 8 TIAs (mini-strokes) and experiences problems with his balance, sight and speech as a result.
Due to recalls and battery issues, Tim has had to undergo multiple pacemaker related surgeries.
At 28, he had to have reconstructive foot and ankle surgery that left him with a serious limp. That same year, a clot was found in his artificial valve, which meant he had to have a third open heart surgery to install a new mechanical valve. Infection set in and almost claimed his life.
Tim is a fighter and his life revolves around his two beautiful children, Aidan (11) and Scarlett (6), and his life partner, Tabitha.
Despite his struggles, Tim was self-employed in the field of lawn care. However, the damage from his most recent mini-stroke and the pain in his chest are making it impossible for him to effectively make a living in this trade at this time. He is in constant pain, has shortness of breath, and frequent dizziness.
His pacemaker battery went off shortly before Christmas and he was told he had approximately THREE months before it died completely. Although he is totally dependent on his pacemaker to keep his heart going, hospitals are showing an indifference without up front payments because he is uninsured. Between the high cost of policies due to his pre-existing condition and his inability to work steadily, he has had no luck in obtaining affordable coverage.
He is worried that without help, he will not live to see his children grow. This is why we are asking for your help.
$300 is needed immediately in order to get the required echocardiogram. Doctors say due to his history and high risk of infection, additional tests may be required before surgery, depending on the results of the first one to assess current heart circumstances.
The hospital estimates the cost of the battery replacement to be between $20-35K.
There is also a matter of the hospital stay after the surgery (his being highly susceptible to infection will require monitoring), medications, follow up care, and other hospital charges.
Additional funds will be used to ensure his family still has food, heat, utilities, and a roof over their heads while he is unable to work.
Tim is a hard working man with a very gentle soul. He fights and survives against the odds because his family mean everything to him. Aidan and Scarlett NEED their father. He is their primary provider and their rock. He is completely dependent on a properly operating pacemaker to keep his heart going.
Please help us get him the lifesaving procedures he needs to continue living.
Time is growing VERY short so we need to raise funds as quickly as possible.
No amount is too small, as every drop helps to fill the bucket. Every donation will be greatly appreciated not only by Tim, but Tabitha, Aidan, Scarlett, his parents, and all of us who know and love him.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Vickie Usman
Organizer
Summerville, SC
Tabitha Roberts
Beneficiary
