Biggie ❤️ Strong

Nick was born with a rare heart defect called Truncus Arteriosus. Throughout the years, including the one right before his passing, he had 6 open heart surgeries to prolong his life. Such a diagnosis at the time of his birth in 1983 had grim outcomes. We hoped that Nick would make it through his LVAD and valve replacement surgery and that maybe later on certain advancements could be made that would allow him to eventually receive a heart transplant and that such advancements would pave the way for babies born with the defect today. Nick got to celebrate his 40th birthday at home with family weeks before the surgery that ended his fight. Nick is my heart warrior. There is nobody braver, nobody stronger and nobody more loving of a person in his family's eyes. This is a catastrophic loss for all of us. He struggled his entire life to survive and provide for his family. We want to make sure his wife and kids are well taken care of through this devastating loss.

**Original GOFUNDME was started to help the family recoup after surgery. Nick has subsequently passed away from the surgery and the fund is now intended to help his wife and kids financially. The original details are still below.**

Nick is a husband and father of 3 children who is undergoing his 6th open heart surgery for an aortic valve replacement and LVAD heart pump.

 He was born with Truncus Arteriosus, which is a heart defect that has resulted in many open heart surgeries and procedures necessary to prolong his life. 

Recently, he underwent a hospital admission at Strong Memorial hospital to determine if he would be a candidate for a heart transplant but due to past blood transfusions, his antibody levels have left him incompatible with 99.5% of the population. Because of this, he is not able to receive a donor heart without traveling out of state for more evaluation and that's an option that just isn't practical for him. 

A team of surgeons and cardiac specialists have determined that a Left Ventricular Assist Device and Aortic Valve replacement would give him the best possible chance at a quality of life. Because of his extensive surgical history and unique anatomy, this surgery is extremely high-risk but very necessary. It comes with a lengthy, complicated recovery and several lifestyle changes that he will have to follow for the rest of his life. 

Because Nick has not been able to work he has been fighting with social security to get approved for disability for nearly 2 years and has yet to receive a court date to appear before a judge to appeal. In the meantime, I (his wife) have been working as much as I can, while trying to care for our children, maintain our household and take care of Nick's at-home medical needs. At this point, I am not able to take a leave from my job, and I don't qualify for any FML or any paid leave but during Nicks's stay, I will have to take care classes in Rochester to teach me how to properly care for him 24/7 when he comes home. So we are asking for some help financially to keep us afloat during this stressful time. If you are uncomfortable with donating to this Go Fund Me, our cash app is $RMBiggie. 

**UPDATE** 1/29/23

This isn't the news any of us wanted. We were so hopeful for Nicholas Biggie to get through this surgery and have a shot at a better quality of life. Unfortunately after his surgery he started to have several complications that he could not and never would be able to overcome. I made the incredibly difficult decision to take him off life support at about 7pm last night. He pushed for as much time as we possibly could but he was maxed out on everything. I played some of his favorite music, I tried as hard as I could to allow everyone I could a chance to say good bye. I held his hand through the whole thing. He did not suffer. He was kept comfortable. I am so sorry to everyone who loved him. He was loved by so many of you guys. He was the best daddy to his children and the best husband I could ever ask for. Everything with me and Nicholas was perfectly imperfect and I wouldn't trade these almost 18 years with him as my soul mate (plus a few as my friend) for anything.

I broke the news to the kids a little bit ago and now we can get through this together. We are going to be okay. I am finding out that I am stronger than I ever knew and that it's because of the love and support of each and every person that has been there for us.

I'm taking today to just be there for my kids and tomorrow I will start to make arrangements.

I wanna say thank you to every single person who's sent condolences, money, brought over food.. everyone who's helped go to and from the hospital.. everyone who visited us while he was home.. everyone. I love and cherish every single one of you guys.

Keep my babies in your thoughts and prayers. I don't know how I will get through this but I know I'm gonna love these kids twice as hard tonight and every day as long as I live.. BIGGIE STYLE ❤️+