Jeff Edmonds’ heart surgery and stroke recovery

Hey guys.. Some of you may know that my brother, Jeff, has defied medical odds his entire life. He was born with a special heart, that unfortunately at times doesn’t cooperate with him. He has had a number of procedures and surgeries… and he always pulled through with grace. He’s lived an amazingly full life, against all odds.

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023, he went under for yet another procedure to place new leads on the ventricles of his heart and a new pacemaker. The surgeons ran into challenges with the entry point they had planned and he ended up having his chest cavity fully exposed for open heart surgery. This wasn’t in our hopeful playbook.

The surgery was a success as far as his heart is concerned. We were devastated to learn he suffered a stroke at some point along the way. He awoke from surgery in a completely different state than when he went in. He is experiencing all the common stroke symptoms left side paralysis, left visual neglect (brain is not recognizing his left field of vision), sensory processing and communication issues… pretty much the worst possible outcome we could have imagined aside from losing him during the surgery. He will need to relearn most everything. This has been a trying time for everyone.

Jeff is a fighter. He has always had to be with his heart condition… now he has to fight harder than ever before, and his whole life has changed, for now. He has already made major strides and was able to bend his left leg on Thursday. It’s a testament to his will, and those who know him…his Irish stubbornness.

I am reaching out for support to help with his living expenses and massive medical bills that will be coming. He will have some disability benefits coming in but it wont cover his needs, including his mortgage. Any support will make a difference. The last thing I want him to worry about is finances. His energy needs to go to healing his body and brain.

His daughter, Jayannthi, is his true pride and joy. She adores her daddy and needs him. They the best of friends. Please consider donating so that next July for her birthday and the annual water ballon fight/camp we can pelt him with water balloons up at our family ranch.

Please share this with anyone you may know that knows Jeff, or anyone who feels drawn to help him out.

Life is delicate and changes so quickly. Lead with love while you can. Thank you.