Medical & Funeral Expenses For Mike
Donation protected
Hi, I’m Jennifer Beier, the wife of Michael Beier. MIKE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR A NEW HEART. As exciting of a time that this is, it is not without fear of the unknown, the stress of waiting, the expense and the care required to complete the transplant and rehabilitate after a HEART TRANSPLANT.
I am coming to you to ask for financial help in defraying some of the costs associated with Mike’s Heart Transplant. Mike and I have two children, Lauren who is 26 years old, a nurse and living in Virginia; and Michael W. who is 24 years old, a Marine, stationed in Hawaii. Lauren and Michael W. are both dedicating their lives to helping others and will be unable to return home during the transplant and recovery process.
Mike is 51 now, but has suffered since the age of 42 (9 years) with a weak heart. It all began in April 2008 with Mike feeling shortness of breath. In December of that same year, the shortness of breath was accompanied by chest pains. A visit to the ER resulted in Mike’s first surgery, stents, and a diagnosis of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (a/k/a Coronary Artery Disease).
Less than two years later, in February 2010, Mike had his first heart attack, another surgery, more stents, all as a result of worsening Coronary Artery Disease.
A life changing moment occurred, on April 26, 2013, after a family celebration. Mike suffered the BIG ONE, the “Widow Maker,” which carries with it a 15% survival rate. There was no reason to expect that Mike would have survived that Heart Attack other than, God wasn’t ready to take him as his purpose here on earth was not complete.
From that point forward, Mike was in and out of hospitals on numerous occasions, and in July 2013 was fitted with a pacemaker and defibrillator. Sadly, Mike was now in the early stage of Congestive Heart Failure.
There was to be no break in Mike’s heart difficulties. Visits to the ER became routine and in June 2015 Mike became only the second person to undergo a very new procedure called a HYBRID ABLATION at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Just a few months later on October 19th, another admittance, but this time to Newark Beth Israel Hospital for Congestive Heart Failure. A right heart catheter later determined that Mike’s heart was functioning at only 7% and Mike had now reached the inevitable, final stages of Congestive Heart Failure. Mike stayed in the hospital this time, and his survival depended upon the placement of an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). Tough decisions were ahead. As a family we decided that Mike would receive the LVAD Heartmate III, and would become part of the study for this new equipment. The LVAD is a mechanical pump that is implanted inside a person’s chest to help a weakened heart pump blood. Unlike a total artificial heart, the LVAD doesn’t replace the heart. It just helps it do its job. Mike had the surgery to implant the device on October 27, 2015. Unfortunately, while the surgery to implant the device was a success, Mike suffered a STROKE the following day.
Since the insertion of the LVAD and following months of rehabilitation, constant monitoring, lifestyle changes, and tremendous perseverance, Mike has overcome the many obstacles he faced.
Mike is now ready to begin the next chapter of his life, with a new heart. While a new heart is not without challenges, the prospect of removing the high maintenance of the LVAD equipment, and the constant fear of infection at the drive site will extend and improve the quality of LIFE for Mike and his family. Mike looks forward to this journey and the prospect of getting, not only his feet wet, in the Atlantic at the Jersey Shore.
The cost of receiving a new heart is tremendous and falls just shy of 1 million dollars. While there is insurance that will cover much of the medical costs and prescription medications that Mike will take, there will still be those uncovered medical bills and prescriptions that must be paid. In addition, Mike will require 24-hour care for at least 6-8 weeks following transplant. There will be rehabilitation costs and lost wages.
Mike has committed himself to changing his lifestyle by exercising, eating healthy and quitting smoking in exchange for a new heart and a longer life. He has been approved by the Heart Transplant Team and is currently listed as 1A on the Heart Transplant List (top of the list). The Insurance Company has also approved the Transplant and we are now ready to await a donor and begin this next chapter. Because Mike is on the top of the List we could receive that call of a Donor Heart match any day. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week, or in the coming months. Just the smallest of donations will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Jenn
I am coming to you to ask for financial help in defraying some of the costs associated with Mike’s Heart Transplant. Mike and I have two children, Lauren who is 26 years old, a nurse and living in Virginia; and Michael W. who is 24 years old, a Marine, stationed in Hawaii. Lauren and Michael W. are both dedicating their lives to helping others and will be unable to return home during the transplant and recovery process.
Mike is 51 now, but has suffered since the age of 42 (9 years) with a weak heart. It all began in April 2008 with Mike feeling shortness of breath. In December of that same year, the shortness of breath was accompanied by chest pains. A visit to the ER resulted in Mike’s first surgery, stents, and a diagnosis of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (a/k/a Coronary Artery Disease).
Less than two years later, in February 2010, Mike had his first heart attack, another surgery, more stents, all as a result of worsening Coronary Artery Disease.
A life changing moment occurred, on April 26, 2013, after a family celebration. Mike suffered the BIG ONE, the “Widow Maker,” which carries with it a 15% survival rate. There was no reason to expect that Mike would have survived that Heart Attack other than, God wasn’t ready to take him as his purpose here on earth was not complete.
From that point forward, Mike was in and out of hospitals on numerous occasions, and in July 2013 was fitted with a pacemaker and defibrillator. Sadly, Mike was now in the early stage of Congestive Heart Failure.
There was to be no break in Mike’s heart difficulties. Visits to the ER became routine and in June 2015 Mike became only the second person to undergo a very new procedure called a HYBRID ABLATION at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Just a few months later on October 19th, another admittance, but this time to Newark Beth Israel Hospital for Congestive Heart Failure. A right heart catheter later determined that Mike’s heart was functioning at only 7% and Mike had now reached the inevitable, final stages of Congestive Heart Failure. Mike stayed in the hospital this time, and his survival depended upon the placement of an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). Tough decisions were ahead. As a family we decided that Mike would receive the LVAD Heartmate III, and would become part of the study for this new equipment. The LVAD is a mechanical pump that is implanted inside a person’s chest to help a weakened heart pump blood. Unlike a total artificial heart, the LVAD doesn’t replace the heart. It just helps it do its job. Mike had the surgery to implant the device on October 27, 2015. Unfortunately, while the surgery to implant the device was a success, Mike suffered a STROKE the following day.
Since the insertion of the LVAD and following months of rehabilitation, constant monitoring, lifestyle changes, and tremendous perseverance, Mike has overcome the many obstacles he faced.
Mike is now ready to begin the next chapter of his life, with a new heart. While a new heart is not without challenges, the prospect of removing the high maintenance of the LVAD equipment, and the constant fear of infection at the drive site will extend and improve the quality of LIFE for Mike and his family. Mike looks forward to this journey and the prospect of getting, not only his feet wet, in the Atlantic at the Jersey Shore.
The cost of receiving a new heart is tremendous and falls just shy of 1 million dollars. While there is insurance that will cover much of the medical costs and prescription medications that Mike will take, there will still be those uncovered medical bills and prescriptions that must be paid. In addition, Mike will require 24-hour care for at least 6-8 weeks following transplant. There will be rehabilitation costs and lost wages.
Mike has committed himself to changing his lifestyle by exercising, eating healthy and quitting smoking in exchange for a new heart and a longer life. He has been approved by the Heart Transplant Team and is currently listed as 1A on the Heart Transplant List (top of the list). The Insurance Company has also approved the Transplant and we are now ready to await a donor and begin this next chapter. Because Mike is on the top of the List we could receive that call of a Donor Heart match any day. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week, or in the coming months. Just the smallest of donations will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Jenn
Organizer
Jennifer Sample Beier
Organizer
West Caldwell, NJ
