Andrea Troope-All Heart-My story

Hello,

My name is Andrea. I am 52 years old (my photo is from my 50th bday) and for the first time ever I want to share my health journey outside of my family and close friends. For as long as I can remember I've always been a bit sickly. At the age of 17 I had my daughter Nyasho, it was a high-risk pregnancy because I had anemia and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. For years after that and likely due to my young age I was in a cycle of struggling with managing my hyperthyroidism, Pernicious anemia and other deficiencies.

These chronic illnesses now seem so mild compared to where my health issues evolved and where I continue to be now. The thing is I never let my health struggles slow me down, I continued to work, go to school and attempt to build a life. I worked in retail, cosmetics and aesthetics. As time went on, I had such severe anemia issues that I needed blood transfusions, in the early 2000's I began to have issues with edema and shortness of breath. It turns out I had what was possibly an undetected congenital heart issue called mitral valve regurgitation.

At this time, I was able to connect with the heart team at the NY Presbyterian Hospital, I needed heart surgery to fix my valve. Before I could undergo surgery, I went through a traumatic episode where I went into heart failure and spent a month in ICU before I could undergo surgery. After that experience of almost losing my life, I didn't quite understand why I was still here. I underwent surgery to fix my leaking valve. My surgery was successful, and I went home. I can't quite explain how strange you feel after this type of incident, you're not quite sure of your purpose or why you are here. I did then and throughout my health journey have suffered from depression. I find joy in the simple things in life, having a good laugh, connecting with friends and being with my family. In the same vein my health struggles are not easy, and I've found most can't understand the depths outside of my medical teams. A few short years after my heart surgery I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and in (2009) after another stay in the hospital I went into kidney failure and was diagnosed with end stage renal failure.

I immediately started with Hemodialysis but after many complications, I switched to PD (peritoneal dialysis) which means I have the equipment in my bedroom that I use daily to keep myself alive. I have had countless hospital stays long and short, and I have recently suffered a mild stroke, which has brought about vision issues and headaches. I know you may be asking how this can happen to 1 person, but it has, and I don't consider myself unique. I am amazed at times that I am still here. I am strong and I want to live, I have a lot to live for, I am a mother, if I didn't have my daughter at a young age, I may have never had that experience. I am now a grandmother, and it has been the biggest joy and blessing to my life.

This go fund me is to bring awareness for living donors who would consider being tested to see if you are a match to donate a kidney. A new kidney would significantly change my quality of life. I am reaching out to family, friends and strangers to ask would you consider being a living donor? If you have read my story this far, perhaps you can take some time to call and get more information or be tested as a living donor. It can also be done as a swap, it would be no cost to you, my insurance would cover the majority of expenses. If you are interested to learn more, you can contact me by email. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, I remain positive that I will have many more stories and adventures to tell.

My sister wrote this several months ago but was not yet ready to share. I am posting on her behalf as of today 3/18/2024-Our sister Andrea has been hospitalized after several months of complications from her hemodialysis that she returned to in November after a bad infection. Andrea is now back in heart failure and is with an amazing medical team in New York. She is currently in ICU being monitored and stabilized. The hopes are that she will be able to improve to be considered for a heart transplant.

The goal for this Go fund me is to support Andrea with her out of pocket medical costs, travel expenses between NJ and NY and loss of income.

$7000-Medical bills

$3000-Travel

$5000-Income supplement

If we exceed our initial goal all additional contributions will continue to go towards Andrea’s medical needs.

All support is greatly appreciated, we pray that Andrea will be given more time with us and the years to enjoy an improved quality of life.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

The Troope Family