Please Help Josh Run and Climb again
Donation protected
Joshua is the only child of an international nurse who works in the number one tertiary health institution in New Hampshire (DHMC). I got to know Josh as we call him through his mother, Ivy. He is intelligent, respectful, smart, an athlete, and a volunteer in the upper valley. His volunteering for every one of our DHMC Affinity and Belonging council and Employee Relations Group outings shows his willingness to serve and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the upper valley.
His relationship with his peers speaks of a wonderful, dedicated athlete who is an avid indoor rock climber and currently co-captain of his high school track team and an outstanding scholar considering his consistent GP of 4.0 per semester.
Back in February, he was seen by a provider 5 times before he was diagnosed with heart failure. He started with respiratory, followed by GI, and then palpitations. On March 1st, 2023, he was admitted to the Dartmouth Hitchcock Pediatric ICU and was started on IV cardiac meds and aggressive diureses. By March 4th, he was taken to the Boston Children’s Hospital Cardiac ICU via ambulance for further management by the Advance Cardiac Therapies. He went through extensive diagnostic procedures (including a cardiac catheterization and biopsy without sedation and only managed with local lidocaine), heart failure medications, myocarditis was ruled out and he was diagnosed with “idiopathic cardiomyopathy”. His heart eventually failed, and he had to be on BIPAP for 5 days until he could get his LVAD. The LVAD (left ventricular assist device is a mechanical pump that is implanted inside a person's chest to help a weakened heart distribute and supply blood to the body). This implanted LVAD was placed on March 16th, and this required him to undergo a heart and lung bypass during surgery. His chest was left open for 48 hrs to reassess the recovery of the right side of his heart. He was not extubated until March 20th. After this, he suffered delirium, double vision, pleural effusions, and post-op pain (from the LVAD machine, ET tube, NGT, large chest tubes, and surgical incisions. His chest and arms are now mapped with surgical scars and multiple punctures. He has to relearn to walk and regain the muscles he once used. His organs are now recovering from getting re-perfused and his appetite is starting to come back.
There is a 5% chance for Josh’s heart to recover with the help of the LVAD, but the goal is for it to help him get stronger until he gets a heart transplant. LVADs are often called a "bridge to transplant."
Josh has a long road ahead of him and his parents have been very supportive. However, the long-term admission and other required care are exerting a financial strain on the family. Hence, we seek support for Josh and his family so they can focus on him getting stronger for his heart transplant and recuperating.
Your gift will be a blessing and will be received with joy no matter how small.
#PLEASE HELP JOSH RUN AND CLIMB AGAIN
Fundraising team (2)
Princess NH
Organizer
Lebanon, NH
Anna Ivy Park
Beneficiary
Gertrude Gakii
Team member