Hello friends and family,
Some of you may or may not know that I have been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure as the result of a heart attack.
It all started in January before my birthday. Tired of a persistent cold, I went to my doctor, who diagnosed me with walking pneumonia and prescribed antibiotics. When the same symptoms continued into February, I went to urgent care and was told I had acute bronchitis. I was given a steroid shot and another z-pack of antibiotics. On March 4th, I had what felt like an anxiety attack (shortness of breath), so I went back to my doctor the next day. An ekg was done and I was told to see a cardiologist. I left the appointment and met my dad for breakfast, where I had another breathing attack walking across the parking lot.
I was then taken to the Randolph ER. After blood work and a cat scan, I was told I had suffered a heart attack. I was sent to Moses Cone and put into the cardiac ward. On March 7th, a cath revealed a 95% blockage in one aorta, in which a stint was then placed. It was determined that the heart attack had caused extensive damage to the lower half of my heart to the point that only 25% of my heart was pumping. Doctors diagnosed that a virus (which could have been as simple as a cold) had attacked my heart. This caused fluid buildup around my heart which got into my lungs, which is why everyone thought I had bronchitis and pneumonia, and caused the severe heart attack. I was released on March 10th with a “wearable defibrillator“ LifeVest. The device continuously monitors my heart to detect life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms, delivering an electrical shock treatment to restore my hearts rhythm if needed (this has yet to occur).
On my latest follow-up appointment (May 17), a sonogram was preformed, which showed no improvement in my heart's muscle. I was diagnosed with NSVT (Non-Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia) and chronic combined systolic and diastolic heart failure.
Moving forward, my next appointment is to meet with an echocardiologist on June 5th, to consult about an implantable defibrillator.
I have come to the realization that I will need help. Anyone who knows me, knows I do not like to ask for help...I enjoy helping others. My goal is to do and pay for as much as I can afford. However, I do not have disability insurance, nor am I allowed to drive or work. I am currently on 5 different medications two of which insurance won’t cover, which costs $500.00 each per month. The cost of the LifeVest is $3,000 a month. March and April were covered by medical insurance. However, since there have been no shocks delivered to correct any arrhythmias during that time, insurance is not paying for this last month, or going forward.
Many of you have asked how you can help. If you have the ability to donate towards the above expenses, please visit my Go Fund Me campaign : ( gofundme.com/5mdw7aw ) or (www.caringbridge.org/visit/ericedmonds (
http://links.t.caringbridge.org/ctt?kn=9&ms=MTU3NTUwNjIS1&r=LTQ1MjE2MzM2NzAS1&b=0&j=MTI4MDAxMDkxNAS2&mt=1&rt=0)). Your donations will go towards assisting with medical bills as well as day-to-day living expenses.
I understand that everyone has family and friends that need assistance and financial needs of their own. If your way of helping is a different avenue than donations, know that I love you and appreciate you in whatever capacity you support me. Your prayers are certainly a very powerful way to support me as I continue to battle this diagnosis. God is able.
