LVAD appointmentsMaine Boston transplant appts

My name is Aletha June Bright  

(AKA Tina)

I had a heart attack on 3/25/2021. I was at work the day before having pain between my shoulders but didn't think anything of it. The next morning I still felt it and my daughters dog at the time wouldn't leave my side. He knew something was wrong. I thought I was having anxiety attack as I am prone to them. Then the pain started going down the back of my arms and my chest was feeling heavy. I looked at my husband and said I'm calling an ambulance something isn't right. I may be having a heart attack. The ambulance arrived and I walked to the ambulance. They  hooked me up to oxygen and was giving me nitro. I thought still for sure I was having an extreme anxiety attack. Then the ambulance attendant says "You are having a heart attack " I started crying my anxiety went through the ceiling. Then the attendant called one hospital in (Ellsworth Maine) and said we are taking her straight through to Bangor she is not going to make it otherwise.   We got about half way there and I remember the ambulance attendant stay with us don't fall asleep. I did I fell asleep. When I woke up I was in recovery had 2 stints placed and I was told I had a widow maker. (100% blockage of  my LAD, main Artery) I was in the hospital for about a week then went home to recover and getting ready to move in April (not fun) got moved and somewhat settled into apartment and it was going good. Then in August July I fell so bad I cracked ribs and being on blood thinners I turned black  not blue but black immediately.  I went to ER came home iced it for weeks. Then the next month August I had a suspicious feeling i was going into congestive heart failure I was filling up with fluid. Went into a routine Echo cardiogram and sure enough I was called into the hospital for admittance the next morning to go through fluid removal as my heart was drowning. Almost 2 weeks later I get released. Had a few more routine check ups with one of the doctors that was there for stint placement. Many medication tries and changes that didn't work. That doctor talked about defibrillator implant. I opted for a second opinion. I went to Southern Maine for the 2nd opinion. I had a few appointments medication changes etc. They just weren't helping. So then I got set up with a stress test. (in southern Maine 3 hrs away from me ) I failed the test miserably. One of the head cardiologist came in and said. I wouldn't make it a year without the LVAD device Surgery. They went on to explain what it was. I cried for days and days. I was scared. I wanted to see my grandkids grow up. So I decided that I would do it. I talked to family members and let them know my decision. My daughter and husband by my side. My son on stand by. Along with other family waiting to hear. On January 6th 2022 I went into Maine Medical Center Portland Maine. For intense tests and preparation for the surgery. On January 12th I had LVAD surgery transplant device. I was in the hospital a month with a much intensified recovery and learning all the ins and outs of my LVAD. Now I am going through the work up and bridging over to transplant in Massachusetts. 6 hrs away from where we live. I am asking for help to be able to get my car completely fixed registered for many trips going forward. And I need help with my rent. And stability. My life done a 180 in 1 day. I am unable to work and my husband can't leave me for long periods of time. While I get disability it's our only income. 

             Thank you 

          Aletha (Tina) Bright