Bridge The Gap To A New Heart For "Chip" McGrady

Here we go; as I sit here with a tear in my eye, I can't believe I have to do this. We are always the givers, but sometimes even the givers need a helping hand.

Backstory: As some may know, "Chip" (My father and father to my sister Emily) has had a pretty mild heart condition over the past several years. In 2010, after multiple visits to the emergency room, his cardiologist recommended that he receive an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The purpose of the ICD would be to continuously monitor dad's heart and deliver electric shocks, when needed, to restore a regular heart rhythm. Dad's heart races uncontrollably and goes into lethal arrhythmias- the shock from the ICD is to prevent him from having a heart attack or, worse death. Dad's heart could have stopped at any time without warning!

He has fought through many years and many, many trips to Boston hospitals. Dad has worked with his cardiologist very closely to prevent any other damage from occurring to his heart. But nevertheless, he was getting random shocks with no warning at all that would send him to the emergency room, grasping for his normal life back!

Fast Forward: About 3 weeks ago, dad was shocked twice while sitting home on the couch. His team of doctors always told him if he was shocked more than once in a short period of time that he needed to get to the emergency room asap because something wasn't right. Dad made his way to the emergency room at Charlton Memorial. While waiting in the ER for answers, he was shocked 7 more times for no reason! Getting shocked by the ICD is comparable to getting kicked in the chest by a horse. Charlton Memorial immediately sent him to Brigham and Women's ICU in Boston. Dad has been in the ICU since Sunday, Sept. 18th. He has been on an ECMO (a machine that does the job of his heart and lungs. Basically life support) and has since been intubated and on heavy sedation since his arrival at Brigham And Women. I've made several visits and have been in very close contact with all his doctors, nurses and surgeons. At this point in time, he's been diagnosed with Ventricular Tachycardia (basically heart failure) and Sarcoidosis (an inflammatory disease which causes organ inflammation, in this case its his heart thats inflamed ) which combined can be fatal. Dad has since undergone a few surgical procedures to keep him alive and as comfortable as possible.

As I sit with the Doctors and medical support staff, things are changing very rapidly as his condition continues to worsen. There are a few limited options on the table right now. Dad has now since been to the OR again and recently had a small temporary device called an "Impella" pumping device implanted in the ventricles of the heart. Its job is to serve as a bridge to recovery or transplantion.

That is where we are today. Trust me; I know it's a lot! And if you have read along this far then, you know how hard this is for all his family. After much thought and consideration, I have decided we are left with no choice but to ask for help. Dad is going to be out of work for weeks, if not months, and who knows what's going to happen beyond all that. Yes he has medical insurance, but we all know how that goes. I don't even need to get into that. There are far more costs associated with this than we will ever know. There is no way for us to predict how long this journey will be. It could be weeks; it could be months upon months... Please help his family help him ease his mind of his financial burdens. The physical pain and emotional toll of having to go through this nightmare are enough. We want him to focus on his mental health and physical healing so that he can recover enough for the next steps (heart transplant).

I will keep up with this page as frequently as possible and add updates as we get through this together. We are not just looking for financial support here, so whether or not you can or cannot donate, one thing I ask, and I know my dad needs right now is your prayers. Please pray for "CHIP" and help us bridge the gap to a full recovery

Thank You, Megan McGrady