Jordan’s Surgery and Recovery
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On March 8, 2019 I found out I had a massive blood clot in my pulmonary artery and several more scattered throughout my right lung. Initially, treatment entailed blood thinners -- thinning my blood would prevent me from throwing any additional clots and give my body the opportunity it needed to dissolve the existing clots.
Unfortunately, I'm part of a very small percentage of people whose clots, instead of dissolving, turn into scar tissue. Because the blockage is located in my pulmonary artery, my right heart is working overtime and is now enlarged. I also have pulmonary hypertension, a degenerative disease that can't be cured.
The only option for me now is to undergo a major surgery called a Pulmonary Endarterectomy. They will open my entire chest and remove the scar tissue that's causing all these complications. The success rate for the surgery is very high and my doctors expect my health will normalize following the procedure, meaning the pulmonary hypertension will go away and my heart may return to its normal size.
The problem my husband and I are facing, however, is financial.
The surgery is major and highly specialized. It's only performed at ~5 hospitals in the United States. I've chosen to have the surgery at the University of California at San Diego; they founded the procedure, have performed it more than any other hospital in the world, and have the highest success / lowest mortality rates.
Post-op recovery time is around 3 months. This doesn't include the 2 weeks I'll be in the hospital or the weeks leading to the surgery in which I'll undergo pre-op tests in San Diego. This means I'll need to take around 4 months off of unpaid leave; my husband will have to do the same in order to travel with me and provide the after-care I'll require. Additionally, because the surgery will be performed in San Diego, we'll need to cover the cost of airfare for both of us and a hotel for my husband. We’ll also still be obligated to all of our monthly expenses including rent, food and our insurance premium.
The current time frame for the surgery is unknown. UC San Diego is evaluating my case and thinks my surgery will be in early August.
The immense support and love Reece and I have and continue to receive from friends and family is confounding and makes this whole process a lot easier than it should be. Our families are doing all they can to help financially, but unfortunately, the circumstance out-demands their and our own capabilities.
Many people have reached out to us with a desire to help in any way possible but aside from prayer, we haven't had an answer until now.
I never thought I'd be the one behind the keyboard on one of these fundraisers, but to be honest, it's our only choice. I truly feel God is at work in my life and has called me to humility so that He may lift me up.
God bless each and every one of you. I truly cannot thank you enough for your support.
"Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that He will lift you up in His own good time. Leave all your worries with Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7
Unfortunately, I'm part of a very small percentage of people whose clots, instead of dissolving, turn into scar tissue. Because the blockage is located in my pulmonary artery, my right heart is working overtime and is now enlarged. I also have pulmonary hypertension, a degenerative disease that can't be cured.
The only option for me now is to undergo a major surgery called a Pulmonary Endarterectomy. They will open my entire chest and remove the scar tissue that's causing all these complications. The success rate for the surgery is very high and my doctors expect my health will normalize following the procedure, meaning the pulmonary hypertension will go away and my heart may return to its normal size.
The problem my husband and I are facing, however, is financial.
The surgery is major and highly specialized. It's only performed at ~5 hospitals in the United States. I've chosen to have the surgery at the University of California at San Diego; they founded the procedure, have performed it more than any other hospital in the world, and have the highest success / lowest mortality rates.
Post-op recovery time is around 3 months. This doesn't include the 2 weeks I'll be in the hospital or the weeks leading to the surgery in which I'll undergo pre-op tests in San Diego. This means I'll need to take around 4 months off of unpaid leave; my husband will have to do the same in order to travel with me and provide the after-care I'll require. Additionally, because the surgery will be performed in San Diego, we'll need to cover the cost of airfare for both of us and a hotel for my husband. We’ll also still be obligated to all of our monthly expenses including rent, food and our insurance premium.
The current time frame for the surgery is unknown. UC San Diego is evaluating my case and thinks my surgery will be in early August.
The immense support and love Reece and I have and continue to receive from friends and family is confounding and makes this whole process a lot easier than it should be. Our families are doing all they can to help financially, but unfortunately, the circumstance out-demands their and our own capabilities.
Many people have reached out to us with a desire to help in any way possible but aside from prayer, we haven't had an answer until now.
I never thought I'd be the one behind the keyboard on one of these fundraisers, but to be honest, it's our only choice. I truly feel God is at work in my life and has called me to humility so that He may lift me up.
God bless each and every one of you. I truly cannot thank you enough for your support.
"Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that He will lift you up in His own good time. Leave all your worries with Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7
Organizer
Jordan Long
Organizer
Estes Park, CO
