August of 2024 my 45 year old husband had a pretty significant heart attack. The heart catheterization came up clean and he did not need stents and they didn’t have much of a plan. The doctors were baffled with the 2nd heart attack in November and the only thing they could come up with was that his heart rate was too low (heart rate in 30’s) and the only solution they had was to change his medications. The new medicine plus lifestyle changes made us believe he was in the clear.
On May 13th he was sitting at his desk working with his new job that requires no lifting and began having severe chest pain that made his fingers numb. We took him to SOMC and he was admitted overnight with positive enzymes confirming heart attack number 3. He was discharged with a follow-up to the cardiologist for a possible 2nd heart cath outpatient, to see if something was missed on the first one. Plus, now they were talking about his left ventricle being too thick with no explanation of how to fix this
We made it to the May 29th follow-up appointment without any events. Plans were made to set up for a heart cath at SOMC and a referral to Riverside to make a plan for the thickening wall in his heart that is obstructing his Aorta.
That was a good plan until the evening of May 30th when he began having severe chest fullness and pressure with pain radiating to his jaws and numbing his fingertips.
He was admitted to SOMC and transferred to Riverside the next evening where he was on telemetry until Tuesday June 2nd. He was ordered another stress test, another echo, ultrasound. The stress test wasn’t necessary because they received the data they needed with him just sitting. They have changed his meds again with a plan for ablation to burn the obstruction or open heart to cut out the obstruction. We will find out which one they are choosing would be best at the follow-up appointment in July. After this he will have to have a defibulator inserted regardless of the procedure they choose because his heart rate ranges from 29 to 52. The defibulator is pretty important because the chance of sudden cardiac death is higher for Paul than others.
Because Paul had changed jobs to put less of a strain on his heart he does not have insurance yet. Heart events 3 and 4 are not covered and the bills are already starting to come in. So far we are up to $24,000, in just 2 bills. Because we have both been missing work it is harder to keep up with the utilities and most are behind on electric water and gas. We are drowning. If you have anything extra that you can donate we would greatly appreciate your help.
