A New Heart for Darlene

I don't know how to begin my story, so I will do the best I can.  As most of you know by now I have a failing heart. I was born with a genetic heart disease called HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopothy). I have tried to live my life without this defining who I am. Most of my friends, until recently, never had even known my struggles. My illness was confirmed when I was pregnant with my daughter in 1986.  I have raised three children and have two beautiful granddaughters. I am 52 years old and the issues with my heart have finally caught up with me.  I have not thought a lot about my condition other than my yearly check-ups. But things seem to be happening so fast. For several years I worked full time at Macy's  but had to move down to part time in March 2014. Then by August, I had to stop working and a week later I was in the ICU with A-fib and heart failure. In September, I had a defibrillator/pacemaker put in and ablation procedure at Brigham and Woman's Hospital. While I was in the hospital, the team I had switched me over to the heart failure team, and just like that, started talking about getting a heart transplant. When we went home my husband started researching transplant centers and I thought he was crazy. This was happening way to fast! At the next appointment at Brigham's, it was decided that Cedars Sinai in LA was the best place to go and be evaluated. I went on January 30th and a week later was approved to be put on the list as soon as I could get back out there. So here I am with tickets to LA for February 24th. Since my husband is still trying to work and will travel from Maine to be with me as often as possible, we are looking for support to help offset the transplant related expenses. Such as, apartment rent, food, doctor visits, gas and car maintenance, and airfare. This is a monumental financial and emotional chapter in our life.  We appreciate anyone's support through this journey.