Ricky's Heartbreaker Fund
Donation protected
Many of you may already know this, but for the last 16 years Rick has had a pacemaker to regulate his heart which suffers from Sick Sinus Syndrom.
Sick sinus syndrome — also known as sinus node disease or sinus node dysfunction — is the name for a group of heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) in which the sinus node — the heart's natural pacemaker — doesn't work properly.
The sinus node is an area of specialized cells in the upper right chamber of the heart that controls the rhythm of your heart. Normally, the sinus node produces a steady pace of regular electrical impulses. In sick sinus syndrome, these signals are abnormally paced.
A person with sick sinus syndrome may have heart rhythms that are too fast, too slow, punctuated by long pauses — or an alternating combination of all of these rhythm problems. Sick sinus syndrome is relatively uncommon, but the risk of developing sick sinus syndrome increases with age.
Many people with sick sinus syndrome eventually need a pacemaker to keep the heart in a regular rhythm. Rick is one of those "fortunate" enough to need one. Without it he suffers from dizzy spells, headaches, and even axiety. His ability to work, play, and live is greatly diminnished.
The good news is, the pacemaker works. The bad news is, there's a problem with the one he's got. The lead wires from the battery pack inside his chest have worn out from repeditive body movements and need to be replaced. The current battery is also nearly 10 years old and at the end of it's life as well. Combine the two factors and Rick is do a new pacemaker. The kicker is, that even with insurance, costs are overwhelming for what seems to be a simple operation to get Rick back up and going again.
Here is where you come in. As friends, family, and as charitable strangers, Rick needs your help. The Hospital performing the surgery are asking for payment of his sizable co-pay up front and Rick and his family weren't expecting the bill to be as big as it is. Without this surgery, Rick's life will take a decidedly more difficult turn or even worse, he could die. We are asking for donations in his behalf to help give a great guy a break from an issue he has been wrestling with for years now. A custom woodworker, bicycle mechanic, and lover of all hair metal, Rick still has a lot of good living to do. You could help him live that good life.
Sick sinus syndrome — also known as sinus node disease or sinus node dysfunction — is the name for a group of heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) in which the sinus node — the heart's natural pacemaker — doesn't work properly.
The sinus node is an area of specialized cells in the upper right chamber of the heart that controls the rhythm of your heart. Normally, the sinus node produces a steady pace of regular electrical impulses. In sick sinus syndrome, these signals are abnormally paced.
A person with sick sinus syndrome may have heart rhythms that are too fast, too slow, punctuated by long pauses — or an alternating combination of all of these rhythm problems. Sick sinus syndrome is relatively uncommon, but the risk of developing sick sinus syndrome increases with age.
Many people with sick sinus syndrome eventually need a pacemaker to keep the heart in a regular rhythm. Rick is one of those "fortunate" enough to need one. Without it he suffers from dizzy spells, headaches, and even axiety. His ability to work, play, and live is greatly diminnished.
The good news is, the pacemaker works. The bad news is, there's a problem with the one he's got. The lead wires from the battery pack inside his chest have worn out from repeditive body movements and need to be replaced. The current battery is also nearly 10 years old and at the end of it's life as well. Combine the two factors and Rick is do a new pacemaker. The kicker is, that even with insurance, costs are overwhelming for what seems to be a simple operation to get Rick back up and going again.
Here is where you come in. As friends, family, and as charitable strangers, Rick needs your help. The Hospital performing the surgery are asking for payment of his sizable co-pay up front and Rick and his family weren't expecting the bill to be as big as it is. Without this surgery, Rick's life will take a decidedly more difficult turn or even worse, he could die. We are asking for donations in his behalf to help give a great guy a break from an issue he has been wrestling with for years now. A custom woodworker, bicycle mechanic, and lover of all hair metal, Rick still has a lot of good living to do. You could help him live that good life.
Organizer and beneficiary
Matthew Wallin
Organizer
Casa Grande, AZ
Michelle Bylsma
Beneficiary