Help Send Danielle to Japan for Heart Surgery

Danielle is not a quitter. When you think of 'High Hopes', she is standing right there next to it. But then the doctors told her there were no more options for the atrial fibrillation that had plagued her life since she was 19 years old. They would do a procedure to 'knock out' the left side of her heart and put in a permanent pacemaker. She would still have afib and would have to be on blood thinners for the rest of her life. Her hopes of life as a normal 34 year old were done. After 2 ablations, a plethora of medications, and many cardioversions, they were giving up. The doctor told her to leave the job she loved and not work because stress was putting too much strain on her heart. Danielle was the daycare director at Little Steps Community Daycare at Family Promise of Hall County for five years. She served children who were enduring homelessness, were escaping homes with domestic violence, and children of parents in long term recovery programs. She truly enjoyed being able to serve her community and loved her work so much. Her resignation was incredibly hard and this step back was just another blow.

Did I tell you she wasn't a quitter? She had been on a Facebook group for afib for a long time. They knew her story. She was one of the youngest member of the group. People told her not to give up. She needed to get a Wolf Mini Maze. This procedure is only done by two cardio thoracic surgeons in the world. One in Houston and one in Japan. She started the search, watched the videos, and read the statistics. These surgeons were curing afib with this procedure and had a 97% success rate. She contacted Houston and had a video visit with Dr. Wolf. He looked at all her records and said, "Danielle, I can change your life". Hope soared.

Unfortunately, Danielle's national healthcare policy would not cover the surgery because it was out of state. She knew there was one other option. Several people who had the procedure were in the same position. Paying out of pocket for surgery in the USA is astronomical. Make that open heart surgery and it is worse. Other patients had traveled to Japan. They raved about Dr. Ohtsuka, the care they received in Japan and the life changing surgery he performed. It wasn't long before she was face to screen with Dr. Ohtsuka. He is a kind, loving and reputable surgeon and told her he could help her. He said, 'you are too young to live this way, come to Japan.' Surgery is about 10% the cost in the USA. Even adding travel and remaining in Japan for 3 weeks as Dr. Ohtsuka requires, it is so much less. Surgery in Japan is doable if we can give her some help.

Danielle is married and has three sons, the youngest being only 6. She currently lives with heart rates that hit the 200's daily, despite medications. She also lives with fear. Fear of stroke or bleeding from the meds. Fear of leaving her husband and kids. She has nights where her heart feels like it will beat right out of her chest. While she tries to be positive and continue to do the things she loves best, like hiking, it's always done slowly and with extreme caution.

Her surgery date has been set for January 26, 2023. She is ready to go and her Mom will travel with her. She needs your help! Danielle and her husband are living on one income and so far no help from the State of Georgia. Any donation you can make would be greatly appreciated. No donation is too small. If you cannot afford to donate, we understand. We believe in the power of prayer and would ask for you to please keep her in your prayers. We know success does not come without His help.

Let's get this young woman to Japan for surgery and change her life!!

All money donated will be used for surgical costs, pre-op/post op testing/procedures, and travel expenses. Any remaining funds will be used to reduce the financial burden this has put on Danielle and her family.