Jeremy’s Open Heart Surgery

Jessica and David recently found out their first born, Jeremy will require open heart surgery. Jeremy is a healthy active 14 year old boy who has played Rec baseball, football and basketball since kindergarten. He started high school this year and was looking forward to finally getting to play high school sports. Unfortunately, when it came time to try out for the football team Jeremy did not pass his sports physical due to a heart murmur and was told he needed to have an echocardiogram before he could be cleared to play. This wasn’t a total surprise because Jeremy has had a murmur his entire life that the doctors said was innocent. He was scheduled for what was thought to be a routine echocardiogram in November to confirm his innocent murmur and clear him to play sports. Needless to say it was a complete shock to all of us when the Doctor told us it was not an innocent murmur and he would need open heart surgery. The cardiologist diagnosed him with a sub aortic membrane growing 6mm away from his aortic valve that is effecting the valve function and will cause damage to his heart function. The cardiologists are all in agreement that the membrane needs to be removed while Jeremy is young and healthy and before his heart becomes symptomatic and the only way to do so is through open heart surgery. The surgery is scheduled for Wednesday and Jeremy will be in the ICU for a week and the recovery process will be long and require multiple follow up appointments. Jessica and David will be staying in Virginia so they can be by Jermeys side for surgery and recovery. Unfortunately, David’s job does not provide him with any paid time off, and he will be missing work with no pay. This family of 8 is stressed out enough worrying about Jeremy and his health and recovery, I would hate for the stress of bills and medical expenses to pile on top of the stress they are already under. If you could donate any little bit to help relieve some of the financial stress so they can focus on caring for Jeremy and being there for each other during this tough time it would be greatly appreciated. Most of all, thank you for all the prayers you have already been praying and please continue to pray that Jeremy’s surgery is successful and that he has a speedy recovery, and can go back to playing the sports he loves. Thank you!