Help Fix Kim's Broken Heart
Donation protected
We prepare for many things in our lives. Needing open heart surgery at 37 years old is not one of them.
Kim was born with a birth defect causing her to have open heart surgery at 14 months old to remove her pulmonary valve. The purpose of that valve is to carry blood through the heart to the lungs. In the past few months, Kim has been experiencing shortness of breath, weakness, and exhaustion. It turns out that she has been living with severe pulmonic regurgitation for 30 years. Meaning, the blood that should be pumping through her heart to her lungs is leaking back into her heart, causing her right ventricle to be extremely dilated and her heart working over time to pump blood to her lungs. It is difficult for her to do simple tasks as she gets winded almost immediately even walking up one flight of stairs.
We are fortunate to live in Massachusetts where we have some of the best hospitals and surgeons. Kim has a wonderful surgical team at Mass General on her case. There are many obstacles ahead however. We have reached a road block as there are aspects of this surgery that are not covered by insurance. Prior to even scheduling surgery for her heart, Kim needs preventative oral surgery that is not covered and costs over $1000. After surgery, she will require a lot of after care. Recovery from surgery is 4-6 months. There are specialists and rehab that is not fully covered.
Kim gives so much of her heart and soul to her friends and family, and now she needs us. Please consider donating to her medical funds. Any amount helps and is so unbelievably appreciated. Thank you so much to everyone that has reached out with words of love and support. We will continue to update this page as new information is available.
Lots of love and thanks,
Kim's Angels
Kim was born with a birth defect causing her to have open heart surgery at 14 months old to remove her pulmonary valve. The purpose of that valve is to carry blood through the heart to the lungs. In the past few months, Kim has been experiencing shortness of breath, weakness, and exhaustion. It turns out that she has been living with severe pulmonic regurgitation for 30 years. Meaning, the blood that should be pumping through her heart to her lungs is leaking back into her heart, causing her right ventricle to be extremely dilated and her heart working over time to pump blood to her lungs. It is difficult for her to do simple tasks as she gets winded almost immediately even walking up one flight of stairs.
We are fortunate to live in Massachusetts where we have some of the best hospitals and surgeons. Kim has a wonderful surgical team at Mass General on her case. There are many obstacles ahead however. We have reached a road block as there are aspects of this surgery that are not covered by insurance. Prior to even scheduling surgery for her heart, Kim needs preventative oral surgery that is not covered and costs over $1000. After surgery, she will require a lot of after care. Recovery from surgery is 4-6 months. There are specialists and rehab that is not fully covered.
Kim gives so much of her heart and soul to her friends and family, and now she needs us. Please consider donating to her medical funds. Any amount helps and is so unbelievably appreciated. Thank you so much to everyone that has reached out with words of love and support. We will continue to update this page as new information is available.
Lots of love and thanks,
Kim's Angels
Organizer and beneficiary
Ashley Twitchell
Organizer
Danvers, MA
Jenny Strongerthan Uknow Lopez
Beneficiary