Willow's Heart
Donation protected
Hello Friends,
As many of you know, Willow will be undergoing open heart surgery on Monday December 10th. Many of you have asked how you can help. Support can come in a wide variety of forms but this page will provide an avenue to network support and love for Willow. We will also use this page to keep everyone updated on her progress as she undergoes this challenging surgery.
Willow was diagnosed with a rare connective tissue disorder called Loey’s Dietz Sydrome (LDS) earlier this year at age 39. One of the risks associated with LDS is sudden aortic dissection. Although the syndrome effects each person differently and on a spectrum of severity, in Willows case the cardiac surgeons at Stanford have decided that it will be best for Willow's safety if she proceeds with heart surgery now to decrease her risk of dissection. This procedure is known as a "Valve Sparing Aortic Root and Arch Replacement". She is expected to be transferred to the ICU directly after surgery and then, when stabilized, moved to the Cardiac Unit where she will stay for a week and possibly more.
You can read more about LDS here: http://www.loeysdietz.org/en/medical-information/main-characteristics
Willow's wife, Angie, will be at her side at Stanford throughout this process, along with Willow's parents, sisters and other family members.
Unexpected Challenges: Of course, an event like this has a ripple effect, and will impact several areas of Willows life. She is fortunate to have health insurance, and very supportive and loving family and friends. However, her insurance has a deductible and pays only a percentage of costs up to her out of pocket max, which is significant. These parameters will reset in the new year while she is continuing to receive post surgical care and treatments. She will also be out of work for an extended period of time and will have a reduced income.
With these factors in mind, we have set a fundraising goal of $5,000 to help with Willow’s expenses related to medical care and recovery time at home.
Upon return home, she and Angie will benefit from some helping hands to get through the next month or so as Willow recovers. We recommend that if you join the network to help in this way that you check this website first to make sure her arrival home is not delayed due to a longer stay in the hospital or unforeseen conditions with her recovery. Please understand that heart surgery recovery is challenging and needs and priorities may change day to day.
Close to home helpers: We have set up a SignUpGenius meal train and helping hands website for those who live close to Willow and would like to help by providing meals or help during her recovery at home. When Angie goes back to work Willow might occasionally need some assistance with activities of daily living. These may be simple tasks that we all take for granted...like anything that involves lifting over 6 pounds! If you would like to sign up to help in this way please contact Crystal Clune via facebook messenger and she will send you a link to the website "SignUpGenius" where you may pick a time slot.
Crystal can also provide Willow's address if you are unable to help with a donation through this site or a meal, but wish to send some other form of support like a card, note or book.
Willow and Angie are so grateful to have such a loving family and community to support them in so many ways through this challenging time. We have every bit of confidence that Willow will come through this life saving surgery stronger than ever. Again, please check back to this website for changes in dates, and updates on her recovery and progress.
Thank you for all the love!
As many of you know, Willow will be undergoing open heart surgery on Monday December 10th. Many of you have asked how you can help. Support can come in a wide variety of forms but this page will provide an avenue to network support and love for Willow. We will also use this page to keep everyone updated on her progress as she undergoes this challenging surgery.
Willow was diagnosed with a rare connective tissue disorder called Loey’s Dietz Sydrome (LDS) earlier this year at age 39. One of the risks associated with LDS is sudden aortic dissection. Although the syndrome effects each person differently and on a spectrum of severity, in Willows case the cardiac surgeons at Stanford have decided that it will be best for Willow's safety if she proceeds with heart surgery now to decrease her risk of dissection. This procedure is known as a "Valve Sparing Aortic Root and Arch Replacement". She is expected to be transferred to the ICU directly after surgery and then, when stabilized, moved to the Cardiac Unit where she will stay for a week and possibly more.
You can read more about LDS here: http://www.loeysdietz.org/en/medical-information/main-characteristics
Willow's wife, Angie, will be at her side at Stanford throughout this process, along with Willow's parents, sisters and other family members.
Unexpected Challenges: Of course, an event like this has a ripple effect, and will impact several areas of Willows life. She is fortunate to have health insurance, and very supportive and loving family and friends. However, her insurance has a deductible and pays only a percentage of costs up to her out of pocket max, which is significant. These parameters will reset in the new year while she is continuing to receive post surgical care and treatments. She will also be out of work for an extended period of time and will have a reduced income.
With these factors in mind, we have set a fundraising goal of $5,000 to help with Willow’s expenses related to medical care and recovery time at home.
Upon return home, she and Angie will benefit from some helping hands to get through the next month or so as Willow recovers. We recommend that if you join the network to help in this way that you check this website first to make sure her arrival home is not delayed due to a longer stay in the hospital or unforeseen conditions with her recovery. Please understand that heart surgery recovery is challenging and needs and priorities may change day to day.
Close to home helpers: We have set up a SignUpGenius meal train and helping hands website for those who live close to Willow and would like to help by providing meals or help during her recovery at home. When Angie goes back to work Willow might occasionally need some assistance with activities of daily living. These may be simple tasks that we all take for granted...like anything that involves lifting over 6 pounds! If you would like to sign up to help in this way please contact Crystal Clune via facebook messenger and she will send you a link to the website "SignUpGenius" where you may pick a time slot.
Crystal can also provide Willow's address if you are unable to help with a donation through this site or a meal, but wish to send some other form of support like a card, note or book.
Willow and Angie are so grateful to have such a loving family and community to support them in so many ways through this challenging time. We have every bit of confidence that Willow will come through this life saving surgery stronger than ever. Again, please check back to this website for changes in dates, and updates on her recovery and progress.
Thank you for all the love!
Organizer
Shannon Heim
Organizer
Grass Valley, CA
