Helping Dennis with Recovery from Heart Transplant
Donation protected
This is Dennis, the man and veteran I'm lucky to call my dad. He is one of the most selfless human beings I have ever known, as well as a fighter.
In 2011, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure after a "widow maker" heart attack. The heart attack alone should have killed him, but it didn't. Dad wasn't ready to go and pulled through. I always knew his stubbornness was a positive trait! Unfortunately, his condition continued to worsen over the year though. Later in 2011, he had a defibrillator put in, should something more happen, due to the fact that the left side of his heart was virtually dead according to his doctors. It was only working at about 30% overall of what a normal heart should be for his age group. Fast forward to February this year and dad went to see his doctor for what he thought was acid reflux, an issue he had been dealing with for years. Come to find out he had had yet another heart attack and ended up being airlifted to Spectrum in Grand Rapids. It was there that he was told that a heart transplant would be critical for his survival. He was put on the transplant list immediately. Only by the grace of God on February 25th, a donor heart was flown in and he received a new heart.
My dad has a lot of challenges ahead of him. Recovery is a lengthy process mentally, physically and financially. The average transplant costs more than $1,000,000 and we are grateful his insurance is covering most of that. However, even with health insurance, he faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are estimated to be around $100,000 a month, and while insurance helps with much of that, it will not cover all of it. These medications are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.
Because dad lives more than 90 miles from the transplant center, he and his caregivers (family) will need to stay near the hospital for the many appointments he will have for the first thirty days after being released. After that time, he will also need to travel for follow up evaluations and doctors’ appointments, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging, adding to the financial strain.
This man is one of the most generous men anyone will ever come across. He even picked up a hitchhiker, while en route to the hospital when he was having his “widow maker” heart attack (which he never should have done, but it just goes to show how much he wants to help others). Over the years, he has gladly sacrificed himself and his time to help out not only his own family, but his friends and neighbors. He does this because that is who he is, asking for nothing in return.
My dad is beyond thankful for the donor and to be alive and get another shot at life. Before his health began to decline he enjoyed fishing, hiking, swimming and painting, and he is hoping to get back to that. It is my hopes that he can do this with a little less stress though, so I am reaching out in hopes of giving back to the man who has never stopped giving. This account is being set up in order to ease some of the financial strain that will be coming dad’s way.
Every donation helps no matter how big or small. We appreciate the prayers as well because we have seen firsthand that they work! Thank you for all the support. God bless!
In 2011, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure after a "widow maker" heart attack. The heart attack alone should have killed him, but it didn't. Dad wasn't ready to go and pulled through. I always knew his stubbornness was a positive trait! Unfortunately, his condition continued to worsen over the year though. Later in 2011, he had a defibrillator put in, should something more happen, due to the fact that the left side of his heart was virtually dead according to his doctors. It was only working at about 30% overall of what a normal heart should be for his age group. Fast forward to February this year and dad went to see his doctor for what he thought was acid reflux, an issue he had been dealing with for years. Come to find out he had had yet another heart attack and ended up being airlifted to Spectrum in Grand Rapids. It was there that he was told that a heart transplant would be critical for his survival. He was put on the transplant list immediately. Only by the grace of God on February 25th, a donor heart was flown in and he received a new heart.
My dad has a lot of challenges ahead of him. Recovery is a lengthy process mentally, physically and financially. The average transplant costs more than $1,000,000 and we are grateful his insurance is covering most of that. However, even with health insurance, he faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are estimated to be around $100,000 a month, and while insurance helps with much of that, it will not cover all of it. These medications are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.
Because dad lives more than 90 miles from the transplant center, he and his caregivers (family) will need to stay near the hospital for the many appointments he will have for the first thirty days after being released. After that time, he will also need to travel for follow up evaluations and doctors’ appointments, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food, and lodging, adding to the financial strain.
This man is one of the most generous men anyone will ever come across. He even picked up a hitchhiker, while en route to the hospital when he was having his “widow maker” heart attack (which he never should have done, but it just goes to show how much he wants to help others). Over the years, he has gladly sacrificed himself and his time to help out not only his own family, but his friends and neighbors. He does this because that is who he is, asking for nothing in return.
My dad is beyond thankful for the donor and to be alive and get another shot at life. Before his health began to decline he enjoyed fishing, hiking, swimming and painting, and he is hoping to get back to that. It is my hopes that he can do this with a little less stress though, so I am reaching out in hopes of giving back to the man who has never stopped giving. This account is being set up in order to ease some of the financial strain that will be coming dad’s way.
Every donation helps no matter how big or small. We appreciate the prayers as well because we have seen firsthand that they work! Thank you for all the support. God bless!
Organizer and beneficiary
Aaron Flynn
Organizer
Traverse City, MI
Dennis Flynn
Beneficiary