2500.00

This is my husband Shawn Jensen. On Aug. 31 we went to the ER because Shawn was experiencing sever leg pain. After numerous tests a clot was discovered in his femoral artery behind left knee. The next day we followed up with a cardiovascular surgeon who ordered a complete workup. We learned Shawn had an abdominal aneurysm in his aorta right below the heart. This clot broke off and traveled down thru his hips and finally settled in both femoral arteries behind his knees. His right leg had a very faint pulse while his left was completely dead. Only by the grace of God did these clots not go to his heart, lungs or brain. Praise the Lord. Shawn was scheduled for emergency surgery Sept. 5. Dr. D. and his team worked on Shawn for 8 hours opening up the damaged arteries. He ended up with 3 stents; his aorta, left hip, and left knee, and an artificial bypass in right hip and knee. Shawn spent 3 days in ICU and another 2 in cardio ward. He was looking at a long road to recovery. Due to the lack of blood/oxygen to his lower limbs Shawn had to learn how to walk all over again. Something as simple as wiggling his toes was an exhausting challenge. It didn't help that he still didn't have feeling in his legs/feet due to the nerve damage. He felt pain deep inside but nothing on the surface. He/we put our heads down and worked to get him well. Little things like moving from a walker to a cane were huge milestones for us both.
On Sept. 28 Shawn had complained his right leg was hurting like it did before surgery. I felt his foot and was saddened to realize his toes were ice cold. We had a doctor appt. the next day and an ultrasound was ordered. Diagnosis = the bypass failed. Shawn would need surgery again. This time Dr. D. would take a vein from each leg and graft him a new artery. Dr. D. explained he didn't do this the 1st time because Shawn would have been under anesthesia for to long and didn't want to take any chances.
Surgery was performed for the 2nd time on Oct. 3. Shawn spent 5 days in ICU this time. My heart broke to see him so deflated, a months worth of recovery was now gone, he'd have to start all over again. What made things worse was one of his original incisions had a fluid pocket that had to be removed. To prevent it from coming back the incision was left open to heal and a wound vac was put on. Shawn didn't have his staples from the 1st surgery removed and he was getting more put in. He had over 100 staples in his groan, thighs, and shins.
The good news is he's coming along great now. He has sever nerve pain and still very little feeling on the outside of his feet. Doctor said it could take up to a year before these symptoms got better.
I think asking for help and having to rely on others has been the most difficult for my husband. Asking for financial help is the worst. With everything going on neither Shawn nor I have been able to work. We are both scared to death at what his medical bills will be. I know for a fact we will have to pay the first $5000 due to deductible. I have no idea what our copay will be. Any little bit would be appreciated, especially prayers.
Shawn is a long time employee of MN Power and former Local 31 union member. He was a lineman for 27 yrs before accepting a supervisor position with the blessing of his union brothers. Shawn & I have been married for 18 yrs. We have 4 adult kids and 4 grandkids with another on the way. Shawn is a strong, giving, kind-hearted man who would help anyone in need, whether it's assisting a stranded driver or restoring power after a storm.
We thank each and every one of you, truly. We thank God every day for blessing us with the generosity of people like you.