Kay's Heart Disease Expenses
Donation protected
***Update that this goal looks like it will indeed be in line with the final expenses!!! Bless up for out-of-pocket maximums, and people who will sit down with me for hours and parse out health insurance policies*******
Hi! I'm Kay Calloway. I'm 22, and I am so grateful and blessed to say that, after 7 years of chronic illness, I now have a healthy heart.
I was living with a rather serious arrhythmia issue (supraventricular tachycardia, or SVT) since I was 15. This condition affected me daily, causing persistent dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain as my heart had difficulty circulating blood around my body. Through high school and college, I navigated 7 years of misdiagnoses and bouncing from emergency rooms to specialists and even to a psychiatrist when one doctor suggested it was all in my head.
My symptoms were worsening with time, and after a recent two-week mobile EKG, the fantastic doctors at MedStar Health located the SVT and let me know I needed a cardiac ablation ASAP. This surgery took place Wednesday, May 29 and was to be a minimally-invasive catheter procedure that only required a few hours of recovery. Unfortunately, there was a complication, and they located another, more dangerous irregular rhythm while they were operating. They admitted me to the hospital for three days while they ran more tests and ultimately performed a second ablation.
Thankfully this time around went well, and I'm now on the other side of a condition that's been holding me back since childhood. But, as we know, it's expensive to stay alive. My personal out-of-pocket costs (after applying insurance) for the first cardiac ablation was $15,000. And after the extended hospital stay, tests, and second surgery, I am downright terrified at the additional medical bills coming my way. I'm a recent grad (Pomona College '18!) and just finished up a year-long fellowship, where I was making minimum wage. My lovely community came through for me with moral support and assistance, but neither I nor anyone in my family is in any position to cover these costs. I'd be in total, complete, and utter gratitude to any and everyone who would be able to help financially.
If you're not able to give, I totally understand! I've been in your shoes. I'd appreciate your help in sharing this to those with resources. :) Thank you so so much!
Hi! I'm Kay Calloway. I'm 22, and I am so grateful and blessed to say that, after 7 years of chronic illness, I now have a healthy heart.
I was living with a rather serious arrhythmia issue (supraventricular tachycardia, or SVT) since I was 15. This condition affected me daily, causing persistent dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain as my heart had difficulty circulating blood around my body. Through high school and college, I navigated 7 years of misdiagnoses and bouncing from emergency rooms to specialists and even to a psychiatrist when one doctor suggested it was all in my head.
My symptoms were worsening with time, and after a recent two-week mobile EKG, the fantastic doctors at MedStar Health located the SVT and let me know I needed a cardiac ablation ASAP. This surgery took place Wednesday, May 29 and was to be a minimally-invasive catheter procedure that only required a few hours of recovery. Unfortunately, there was a complication, and they located another, more dangerous irregular rhythm while they were operating. They admitted me to the hospital for three days while they ran more tests and ultimately performed a second ablation.
Thankfully this time around went well, and I'm now on the other side of a condition that's been holding me back since childhood. But, as we know, it's expensive to stay alive. My personal out-of-pocket costs (after applying insurance) for the first cardiac ablation was $15,000. And after the extended hospital stay, tests, and second surgery, I am downright terrified at the additional medical bills coming my way. I'm a recent grad (Pomona College '18!) and just finished up a year-long fellowship, where I was making minimum wage. My lovely community came through for me with moral support and assistance, but neither I nor anyone in my family is in any position to cover these costs. I'd be in total, complete, and utter gratitude to any and everyone who would be able to help financially.
If you're not able to give, I totally understand! I've been in your shoes. I'd appreciate your help in sharing this to those with resources. :) Thank you so so much!
Organizer
Kay Calloway
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
