Austin’s Story

Site created on October 3, 2018

Thank you for visiting 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. 


Austin was first diagnosed with heart failure in 2014, and placed on a series of medications that healed his heart and allowed him to continue his career as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Earlier this year, Austin’s symptoms returned  and his heart was only functioning at 20%.  In June, he was referred to Stanford Hospital where he went through a thorough series of tests, evaluations, and interviews and was placed on the transplant list.  


Today Austin was admitted to Stanford for monitoring and additional testing, while he waits for a new heart.  If a match does not come in a couple of weeks, he will have an LVad (Left Ventricular Assisted Device) implanted  and will live with that device until a good match is found. (Google LVad for more information). 


We are grateful to have Austin at Stanford as he is being cared for by the best in this field. We appreciate your prayers as he goes through this journey.  

Newest Update

March 26, 2019

Journal entry by Carson Applewhite —

Hey Guys!

Still down here in the apartment by the hospital. Feeling better and better everyday. My last appointment showed steady improvement in my heart function and all the doctors are happy with my progress. My biopsy showed minor rejection, which is common, and is stable with the medication I'm on which is good! No new changes in anything significant. I will try and fill everyone in with my progress up until I can come back which, hopefully be within the next couple months. While the apartments aren't the best, my Mom and Carson are alternating staying here with me and we are making the best of it! Thank you to everyone for checking in, you all have been great!

 Cant wait to come home! 

Much love, 
Austin
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