Help Dave in his time of need

On Tuesday morning October 18th David woke up experiencing a severe pain in his chest and throat. He drank some water and attempted to sleep it off but the pain got worse. He called his parents Paul and JoAnne Herman and explained how he was feeling. They rushed over to his apartment and determined that Dave needed to go to the ER. Thirty minutes after he woke up, they arrived at Florence Hospital. Soon after arriving they conducted blood and heart tests, the doctor determined that Dave was having a heart attack and needed to be airlifted to the nearest heart hospital. Dave arrived at Banner Heart Hospital via helicopter within 25min and was rushed into the operating room to remove the clot in his artery. After the blockage was cleared they inserted a ventricular assist device (VAD) which is a mechanical pump that's used to support heart function and blood flow. Dave spent over three days in ICU, on Thursday they removed the pump and Dave was able get out of the hospital bed and move around that night. Midday Saturday they did a second heart catheter and determined that no other clots had formed in his heart. Dave was released later that evening and went home to get some rest. He spent the following week recovering. Friday the 28th Dave met with a cardiologist and was told that he could return to normal activities. On Monday 10/31 Dave went back to work and started feeling better, after work on Tuesday the 1st of November Dave started experience similar chest pains and headed back to Florence hospital.  They admitted him again and he still does not know for sure what’s causing his pain and abnormal EKG’s or tests. I am sitting next to Dave right now (11-3-2016) and he is feeling better but anxious to find answers as to why he is having heart issues. Dave is only 31 years old, he is in good health. He typically walks/runs 20,000 steps a day and works on the weekend. He is not overweight and does not drink alcohol or use drugs. The doctor said It’s not anything he did wrong. It’s probably genetics, but because he is adopted, there is no way to get any family history. Before the heart attack Dave had never spent any time in the hospital.

 

Due to the urgency of the situation, Dave was flown to the nearest heart hospital which unknown to him was not in his insurance coverage network. At the time of the heart attack Dave was insured by United Health Care. The five days spent at Banner were not covered. At this time, he’s not sure if the helicopter ride is even covered. As of now, Dave is over $150,000.00 in debt. Dave is one of my best friends and has been one of the most positive people in my life. I cannot imagine being in his shoes right now. People aren’t supposed to have heart attacks at 31. If you have anything to give, please help Dave. He and his family truly appreciate any help or positive prayers sent their way.

 

 

Thank you