Chad’s Road to a Heart Transplant
Donation protected
There are people in this world that simply would never ask for help, but have a heart of gold and gladly go out of their way to help everyone else. For example my awesome friends, Chad and Shannon Robertson.
Chad is a 45 year old Navy war veteran (Desert Storm), nurse, husband and father of six who was diagnosed with Viral Hypertrophic Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure three years ago. In May of 2015, their family’s life changed drastically. Their lives were normal for the most part, however Chad, who was employed as a nurse full time started to become ill but didn’t think much of it, thinking it couldn’t be more than a cold or flu. His illness continued to progress and he was later admitted into the hospital with doctors saying his heart was only functioning at 8%. He remained hopeful with medication and lifestyle changes and returned to work full time doing what he loved best—taking care of others. He even sprang into action during the Great Flood of 2016 to care for patientsaround the clock even after his own family lost everything.
In September of 2017, he suffered a set-back and was admitted into the hospital. During this hospital visit Chad was told that he developed a blood clot in his heart. It was then doctors informed him that he would need a heart transplant to survive. He was discharged to home to complete the lengthy pre-transplant work up, and in January 2018, he had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) surgery as an additional life saving measure, which was in turn a blessing as he was shocked, going into cardiac arrest 3 times within 30 days of implantation. February and March he was hospitalized again, but his last admit this past April his illness had progressed so aggressively he was admitted into Cardiac ICU and advised this time he would be unable to be discharged without surgery. Chad had surgery to have an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) to give his heart rest and during this time he was also listed as a status 1A placing him at the top of the heart transplant list. Due to the short time for use of the IABP and a heart not arriving in time, Chad made the ultimate decision to undergo surgery for a Left Ventricular Assistive Device (LVAD) as a bridge to transplant. After a lengthy hospital stay of one month and a long road to recovery ahead, Chad now has a “new normal” to adjust to but still looks forward to the day he receives the ultimate miracle “a new heart.”
The hope for this campaign is to raise awareness of organ donation, offset the financial burdens that have been incurred on this journey and the journey to come after Chad’s heart transplant through the use of these funds. On top of all the stresses of his wife living in the hospital with him, being away from their small children, there is the constant stress of paying the bills. His wife, Shannon continues to work as a nurse full time to take care of the family in addition to being the full-time caregiver for Chad.
While Chad’s medical insurance will cover much of the pre and post-transplant needs, there are additional cost, loss of wages, ongoing medication, lifetime after care, treatments and unforeseen expenditures that he will endure after surgery; many of which insurance will not cover.
Any donation would be greatly appreciated and help thisamazing family during this chapter in their lives. If you are unable to donate, please send Chad your positive thoughts, prayers and love. God Bless you all!
Chad is a 45 year old Navy war veteran (Desert Storm), nurse, husband and father of six who was diagnosed with Viral Hypertrophic Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure three years ago. In May of 2015, their family’s life changed drastically. Their lives were normal for the most part, however Chad, who was employed as a nurse full time started to become ill but didn’t think much of it, thinking it couldn’t be more than a cold or flu. His illness continued to progress and he was later admitted into the hospital with doctors saying his heart was only functioning at 8%. He remained hopeful with medication and lifestyle changes and returned to work full time doing what he loved best—taking care of others. He even sprang into action during the Great Flood of 2016 to care for patientsaround the clock even after his own family lost everything.
In September of 2017, he suffered a set-back and was admitted into the hospital. During this hospital visit Chad was told that he developed a blood clot in his heart. It was then doctors informed him that he would need a heart transplant to survive. He was discharged to home to complete the lengthy pre-transplant work up, and in January 2018, he had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) surgery as an additional life saving measure, which was in turn a blessing as he was shocked, going into cardiac arrest 3 times within 30 days of implantation. February and March he was hospitalized again, but his last admit this past April his illness had progressed so aggressively he was admitted into Cardiac ICU and advised this time he would be unable to be discharged without surgery. Chad had surgery to have an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) to give his heart rest and during this time he was also listed as a status 1A placing him at the top of the heart transplant list. Due to the short time for use of the IABP and a heart not arriving in time, Chad made the ultimate decision to undergo surgery for a Left Ventricular Assistive Device (LVAD) as a bridge to transplant. After a lengthy hospital stay of one month and a long road to recovery ahead, Chad now has a “new normal” to adjust to but still looks forward to the day he receives the ultimate miracle “a new heart.”
The hope for this campaign is to raise awareness of organ donation, offset the financial burdens that have been incurred on this journey and the journey to come after Chad’s heart transplant through the use of these funds. On top of all the stresses of his wife living in the hospital with him, being away from their small children, there is the constant stress of paying the bills. His wife, Shannon continues to work as a nurse full time to take care of the family in addition to being the full-time caregiver for Chad.
While Chad’s medical insurance will cover much of the pre and post-transplant needs, there are additional cost, loss of wages, ongoing medication, lifetime after care, treatments and unforeseen expenditures that he will endure after surgery; many of which insurance will not cover.
Any donation would be greatly appreciated and help thisamazing family during this chapter in their lives. If you are unable to donate, please send Chad your positive thoughts, prayers and love. God Bless you all!
Organizer and beneficiary
Erica Rose-Crawford
Organizer
Baton Rouge, LA
Shannon Robertson
Beneficiary
