Tommy's surgery & recovery
Donation protected
 
Dear friends and family, On April 14 2017, I was admitted to Royal Columbia Hospital with a ruptured aorta. My body went into shock, and I suffered a heart attack. After all these unfortunate events, I was placed in the Intensive Care Unit for a week without any food, and lost 40lbs. Waking up in the ICU I then found out both of my kidneys have failed. Can things get any worse? I asked God to help me get through the most difficult time in my life, I survived. There were some nights I just wanted to give up, but with god by my side anything is possible. My beautiful fiance was there with me every single day, encouraging me stay strong and to have faith, I love her so much. Thanks to our friends and family that came to visit us, with you're thoughts and prayers we stayed strong. In late May after 6 weeks at RCH I was finally discharged and was stable enough to go home. I thought I'd be out of the woods after all the things I went through, but a CT scan in December reveled blood wasn't flowing properly down towards my legs. I will require open heart surgery later this year to fix my lower aorta in my abdominal. If that ruptures, I could possibly die. I'm hoping that this big surgery happens soon and goes well. My spirits are high at home, and I've been keeping up with my peritoneal dialysis.
I can no longer live an active lifestyle, I seriously miss snowboarding, the gym, and long hikes. I can't walk no more than a block before feeling pain in my legs. Growing up as a Canadian kid hockey was always there to be played. I started playing in the 4th grade, and Instantly fell in love with the game, and the Canucks during the 1994 Stanley cup run. Our hearts were broken by the Rangers that year. I remember playing my first league game, boy was I nervous since it was so intense. Hockey has taught me so much on and off the ice. To respect everyone, to have sportsmanship, teamwork, passion, and to always have fun when your out there on the ice. Thank you to my teamates for all the hard fought battles, the breakaway passes, goals, wins, celebrations, and learning how to play the game the right way. I miss being out there on the ice with the boys playing the best game on earth. I have a long road ahead of me, but one day when I'm healthy again, I'll have another chance to laced them up with the fellas.  
I have never ask for help before, I can do everything on my own when healthy, but with my sickness I am too weak to work and have no income until I'm better. I was denied provincial disability, but I don't know how much more disabled a person can be. I hope things get resolved soon. Donations raised through my sickness will be used to provide relief, medicine, and financial support. Please know that even spreading this message on your social media platforms would mean a great deal to me. Thank you for all the love, generosity, and support. Please donate what you can and if only if you can.
-God bless
Sincerely Tommy  
Dear friends and family, On April 14 2017, I was admitted to Royal Columbia Hospital with a ruptured aorta. My body went into shock, and I suffered a heart attack. After all these unfortunate events, I was placed in the Intensive Care Unit for a week without any food, and lost 40lbs. Waking up in the ICU I then found out both of my kidneys have failed. Can things get any worse? I asked God to help me get through the most difficult time in my life, I survived. There were some nights I just wanted to give up, but with god by my side anything is possible. My beautiful fiance was there with me every single day, encouraging me stay strong and to have faith, I love her so much. Thanks to our friends and family that came to visit us, with you're thoughts and prayers we stayed strong. In late May after 6 weeks at RCH I was finally discharged and was stable enough to go home. I thought I'd be out of the woods after all the things I went through, but a CT scan in December reveled blood wasn't flowing properly down towards my legs. I will require open heart surgery later this year to fix my lower aorta in my abdominal. If that ruptures, I could possibly die. I'm hoping that this big surgery happens soon and goes well. My spirits are high at home, and I've been keeping up with my peritoneal dialysis.
I can no longer live an active lifestyle, I seriously miss snowboarding, the gym, and long hikes. I can't walk no more than a block before feeling pain in my legs. Growing up as a Canadian kid hockey was always there to be played. I started playing in the 4th grade, and Instantly fell in love with the game, and the Canucks during the 1994 Stanley cup run. Our hearts were broken by the Rangers that year. I remember playing my first league game, boy was I nervous since it was so intense. Hockey has taught me so much on and off the ice. To respect everyone, to have sportsmanship, teamwork, passion, and to always have fun when your out there on the ice. Thank you to my teamates for all the hard fought battles, the breakaway passes, goals, wins, celebrations, and learning how to play the game the right way. I miss being out there on the ice with the boys playing the best game on earth. I have a long road ahead of me, but one day when I'm healthy again, I'll have another chance to laced them up with the fellas.  
I have never ask for help before, I can do everything on my own when healthy, but with my sickness I am too weak to work and have no income until I'm better. I was denied provincial disability, but I don't know how much more disabled a person can be. I hope things get resolved soon. Donations raised through my sickness will be used to provide relief, medicine, and financial support. Please know that even spreading this message on your social media platforms would mean a great deal to me. Thank you for all the love, generosity, and support. Please donate what you can and if only if you can.
-God bless
Sincerely Tommy  
Organizer
Ty Vnk
Organizer
Burnaby, BC
