Mandy’s Road to Recovery

I’m Dana Fano and have been one of Mandy’s best friends since kindergarten. Mandy is a single mom by choice with a 6-month old daughter, Mackenzie, and they have a 12-year old dog named Rocco.  

I’m starting this page to help them cover basics and essentials during Mandy’s recovery following a recent event.  Mandy was the victim of a medical mistake that caused her to have a major heart attack and suffer significant adverse cardiac events and damage including a rare type of cardiomyopathy called Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (aka squid syndrome or aka broken heart syndrome). Mandy’s heart is functioning at about 25% related to the damage sustained to the heart muscle. 

Mandy receives biweekly infusions of IVIG for Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) which is a type of Primary Immunodeficiency that prevents her from making antibodies and therefore susceptible to severe infections. Mandy receives 50 mg of IV Benadryl before each infusion to help prevent reactions to which Mandy is prone. This is where the crucial mistake was made during Mandy’s last infusion.  The nurse accidentally administered an entire vial of Epinephrine (that was concentration for subcutaneous or intramuscular administration) instead of the Benadryl.  Epinephrine administered intravenously at that dose and concentration is likely to cause cardiac arrest or a fatal outcome.

Mandy’s doctor was shocked that she survived and that Mandy was even here to be speaking with her (on the phone) that evening. The doctors at the hospital were equally surprised that Mandy did not suffer a worse fate. Mandy was very fortunate to survive but the error caused significant cardiac injuries.  

Mandy is now home from the hospital. Because she is at high risk for two types of fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, she was given a cardiac life vest. She wears it 24/7 (except showers).  It is able to detect those fatal heart rhythms and if one of those were to occur, the vest would deliver a shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. It’s essentially a wearable defibrillator.  

Because of the cardiomyopathy and damage to the heart muscle, Mandy will continue to experience symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, etc. She is also suffering from severe PTSD related to the event.  Mandy is coping with the physical and emotional recovery as she tries to adjust to her new “normal” with the help of her mom who is now staying with Mandy to care for Mandy and Mackenzie (and Rocco) daily. 

Mandy faces a long road to recovery but to quote her perspective about it, she keeps saying, “at least I’m here to travel that road.” 

While Mandy travels that road to recovery, she could very much use our help to
cover basics and essentials such as:
rent, food, household bills, health insurance premiums, doctor visit copays and medication costs, necessities for Mackenzie such as diapers, wipes, and formula, items fir baby-proofing since Mackenzie will soon be mobile, and necessities for Rocco (12-year old furry member of the family) such as his food and medication. 

 Our help will go a long way. Any amount of assistance is very helpful and beyond appreciated so no amount is too small.  

Many, many thanks for taking the time
to read and consider helping out. It means more to Mandy and her family than you could possibly know. 

Many blessings!