Turner's Troop- Filling Hearts with Love
Donation protected
Tracy and Kevin are the first in line to help those in need. They have weathered many storms with their own immediate family and dear friends when serious health issues knocked down the door. Without hesitation, Tracy and Kevin step to action and put the needs of family and friends before their own. The time has now come for them to allow family and friends to help THEM ♥️ Here is their story...
On the morning of December 14th, Tracy received a phone call at work stating that Kevin had a heart attack at the gym and was in the emergency room at Lowell General Hospital. When Tracy arrived, she and her dad were ushered into an office and were told the doctor would be in to speak to them. The doctor informed them that Kevin’s LAD, the “widow maker” was 100% blocked; the doctor actually had to call a colleague to help him open the artery. Kevin was medflighted to Tufts Medical Center where a surgeon was waiting for him. After a 10 1/2 hour surgery, Tracy was told that Kevin couldn’t come off the bypass machine and needed ECMO support due to the damage to his heart.
Kevin spent five weeks in the ICU at Tufts. During that time, any complication that could arise, did. On Christmas Day, Kevin was brought into emergency surgery for blood clots in his leg due to an allergy to heparin and the machines that were helping his heart; Tracy was told that there was a possibility Kevin would lose his leg below the knee because there was no circulation to his foot. Luckily, the surgeons removed the clots and he kept his leg. Tracy was repeatedly told that Kevin’s prognosis was not good; in addition to the heart failure, Kevin was in kidney and liver failure. There was a concern that he may lose his spleen as well. The neurology team was convinced that Kevin would never regain consciousness. Kevin’s surgeon repeatedly tried to wean him off the ECMO and was unsuccessful; Kevin’s heart wasn’t strong enough. On New Year’s Day, after another failed ECMO weaning, Tracy had a discussion with Kevin’s ICU team who informed her she should consider stopping Kevin’s life support; he was too sick to survive.
On January 8th, Kevin was finally awake and somewhat alert. He started to speak words and said “Hi” to Tracy. At this point, he was still on the ECMO support. There was talk about Kevin being a candidate for a heart transplant now that he was awake. Kevin’s surgeon was going to make one more attempt to take him off the ECMO support. On January 11th, Kevin was finally able to come off the ECMO. A week later, he was moved out of the ICU, into the Heart Failure Unit at Tufts. He spent a week there and was then moved to a rehabilitation hospital, where he stayed for three weeks. Kevin went home on February 16th, 65 days after his heart attack. He is still dealing with complications from his illness including needing an amputation of the toes on his left foot due to the blood clots and possibly needing a corneal transplant because his eyes were not fully closed while in the ICU. He is currently receiving home nursing, PT, and OT services at this time and it will be several months before he will be able to return to work. It is still unclear if he will be healthy enough to return to his previous job.
The strength and courage of Kevin, Tracy, their children and extended family is beyond measure. Thank you for any support and donation you are able to provide.
On the morning of December 14th, Tracy received a phone call at work stating that Kevin had a heart attack at the gym and was in the emergency room at Lowell General Hospital. When Tracy arrived, she and her dad were ushered into an office and were told the doctor would be in to speak to them. The doctor informed them that Kevin’s LAD, the “widow maker” was 100% blocked; the doctor actually had to call a colleague to help him open the artery. Kevin was medflighted to Tufts Medical Center where a surgeon was waiting for him. After a 10 1/2 hour surgery, Tracy was told that Kevin couldn’t come off the bypass machine and needed ECMO support due to the damage to his heart.
Kevin spent five weeks in the ICU at Tufts. During that time, any complication that could arise, did. On Christmas Day, Kevin was brought into emergency surgery for blood clots in his leg due to an allergy to heparin and the machines that were helping his heart; Tracy was told that there was a possibility Kevin would lose his leg below the knee because there was no circulation to his foot. Luckily, the surgeons removed the clots and he kept his leg. Tracy was repeatedly told that Kevin’s prognosis was not good; in addition to the heart failure, Kevin was in kidney and liver failure. There was a concern that he may lose his spleen as well. The neurology team was convinced that Kevin would never regain consciousness. Kevin’s surgeon repeatedly tried to wean him off the ECMO and was unsuccessful; Kevin’s heart wasn’t strong enough. On New Year’s Day, after another failed ECMO weaning, Tracy had a discussion with Kevin’s ICU team who informed her she should consider stopping Kevin’s life support; he was too sick to survive.
On January 8th, Kevin was finally awake and somewhat alert. He started to speak words and said “Hi” to Tracy. At this point, he was still on the ECMO support. There was talk about Kevin being a candidate for a heart transplant now that he was awake. Kevin’s surgeon was going to make one more attempt to take him off the ECMO support. On January 11th, Kevin was finally able to come off the ECMO. A week later, he was moved out of the ICU, into the Heart Failure Unit at Tufts. He spent a week there and was then moved to a rehabilitation hospital, where he stayed for three weeks. Kevin went home on February 16th, 65 days after his heart attack. He is still dealing with complications from his illness including needing an amputation of the toes on his left foot due to the blood clots and possibly needing a corneal transplant because his eyes were not fully closed while in the ICU. He is currently receiving home nursing, PT, and OT services at this time and it will be several months before he will be able to return to work. It is still unclear if he will be healthy enough to return to his previous job.
The strength and courage of Kevin, Tracy, their children and extended family is beyond measure. Thank you for any support and donation you are able to provide.
Co-organizers (2)
Kara Morton
Organizer
Tyngsboro, MA
Tracy Turner
Beneficiary
Steve Lebel
Co-organizer