Keeping you up to date on Dale's journey towards a healthy heart.
Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
Since February of this year, Dale has undergone numerous blood tests, lung scans, x-rays, echocardiograms and two heart catheterizations. Dale was diagnosed with Chronic Diastolic Heart Failure on April 25th caused by Restrictive Cardiomyopathy, which was diagnosed on June 7. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy is a rare form of muscle disease that makes the heart muscle stiff. When the heart muscle is stiff, it can't stretch to allow enough blood to enter its lower chambers, the ventricles.
At rest, his heart works normally and keeps its pace at 70 bpm. However, his heart rate does not increase to match any level of exertion. So his blood does not circulate through his system properly, causing edema, fatigue, afib and vfib,
On June 22nd his case was reviewed by the LGH/Penn Medicine Heart Transplant Team and he was approved as a candidate for a heart transplant evaluation.
On July 10th, we will meet with Dr. Rame at Penn Medicine to begin the evaluation process.
We appreciate all the caring words of support and encouragement we have received and we feel that Caring Bridge is the best way to share updates as Dale begins this journey to renewed strength, more energy and a new heart.
May these words to one of his favorite songs help you to feel his strong spirit and determination to be well.
Flow river flow, let your waters wash down Take me from this road to some other town
Blessings to all of you and wishing you good health. Dale and Carmen
CaringBridge is a nonprofit social network dedicated to helping family and friends communicate with and support loved ones during a health journey. Learn more about CaringBridge.
