Join TaneshaNicole's Fight Against Heart Failure

Hi everyone, I’m TaneshaNicole’s friend Ollie, and I am raising money to help my dear friend with medical expenses after their life was changed drastically by a serious diagnosis earlier this year. They are such a kind, loving, and supportive friend and community member-- in the midst of all of these health challenges, the absolute last thing they should have to worry about is medical bills. It would mean so much to me if you have anything to donate! If you aren’t in a place to donate, spreading the word and sharing with your social networks would be so appreciated. Tanesha has put so much love and energy into our communities, and I am honored to take this time to give some of that love and energy back.

A little bit more about the situation (all shared with TaneshaNicole’s permission):

As some of you might know, in January of this year, out of nowhere, Tanesha started experiencing some difficulty breathing. They ended up staying in the hospital for five days, and were diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Heart failure is an incurable diagnosis, and they have spent the last five months going to 3-6 appointments each week to try to treat it and get to a sustainable level of functioning.

A small bit of good news: in the last five months, through treatment, Tanesha and their medical team have been able to increase heart function to 34% (but if that still sounds bad to you, it’s because it is). Despite this, they are currently at the maximum dosage for all of their medications, and it is likely that more invasive measures will be needed in the near future. Tanesha is only 28 years old, and although there is no cure, the doctors are feeling hopeful about some longer-term treatment options.

The funds will be used primarily to pay off the existing medical debt (Tanesha has insurance, but we all know how messed up the U.S. insurance and healthcare system is, and they’ve still had to be responsible for thousands upon thousands of dollars). Anything raised above that amount will go towards past and future time off work, future medical bills, and generally just supporting the basic functions of their life (rent, groceries, etc), which have been deeply impacted both by the financial realities of heart failure, as well as the physical ones.

I know that both of us really appreciate your support, whether that’s in the form of a donation or through spreading the word. Although we can’t cure this for TaneshaNicole, I believe that we can meet our goal and make this horrible reality just a little more gentle.

Here’s some more about what happened directly from TaneshaNicole themself:

“Around 5:30pm on January 2nd, 2024, while sitting at my desk, I noticed I was experiencing difficulty breathing, despite not doing anything strenuous. Being in the height of cold and flu season and my history of asthma, I believed it was a flare up and thought I needed a breathing treatment as my inhaler was not providing relief.

After a three hour wait, and being the LAST person to be called back at Urgent Care, the doctor who saw me began taking my vitals and immediately advised we go to the nearest ER as I had three abnormal signs: increased heart rate (133bpm while at rest, normal is under 100bpm), shortness of breath, and decreased oxygen levels.

Anni and I immediately headed to the ER department at Regions Hospital. Within minutes of arriving and explaining why we were referred, I was taken back to triage. In triage I received an echocardiogram, had my vitals rechecked, and then was sent back to the full waiting room. Within moments of sitting down, we were taken to a room where a full night of testing began: a chest X-ray, CT scan, two heart ultrasounds, and many rounds of labs.

By 6am on Jan. 03, 2024 we were informed that they would like to admit me, as I was presenting with all the signs of Congestive Heart Failure. Yupp, at 27-years old with no immediate family history, I was diagnosed with heart failure.

The doctors confirmed that my heart was working at best, 50% capacity, and that they thought there was an infection somewhere that was leading to fluid and pressure buildup. They confirmed this by doing another echocardiogram, which reads and determines my ejection fracture (the amount of blood leaving my heart when it pumps) and overall heart function.

Over the next four days, I was put onto a rigorous medical therapy program consisting of seven different medications, including two lasix treatments a day (one orally, one through my IV). The job of the lasix is to release the excess fluid being retained so that my heart could beat with less strain. In that time, additional testing was ordered to try and understand the cause of my condition.

On Thursday, we attempted to complete an MRI, however due to the amount of fluid still on my heart and lungs at that time, which made breathing nearly impossible, I was unable to lay flat for long enough to successfully complete the scan. Thus, they determined we needed to do a left and right heart catheter and angiogram to determine the next steps of my care. This procedure happens while you are awake and the pain management I was given was the max dose of children’s chewable orange aspirin. They were moving so quickly that I was already on the operating table being prepared for the procedure before I had even signed a consent form. The results showed I still had too much fluid build up for them to release me so the IV lasix therapy was doubled and I was placed on a strict meal plan of clear liquids only to avoid additional sodium intake that would prevent the fluid’s release.

It was not until Saturday, January 6th, I was cleared to be discharged. By the time I was released, over 20 pounds of fluid had been lost and we finally saw my first heart rate under 100bpm. My doctor informed me that things were going to be very different moving forward. With an ejection fracture of 25%, that means my heart is working double time just to keep up with my day-to-day routine. I was placed on six new medications, a new dietary plan, and referrals to three additional specialists: cardiologist, cardiac therapist, and a nutritionist / dietitian who specializes in treating patients with CHF.

On January 12th, I began cardiac rehabilitation therapy (aka heart physical therapy), a 15 week program designed to improve cardiac function through monitored physical activity and strength training. Since January, I have had no less than 3 standing medical appointments a week. This is not inclusive of labs, additional specialists, follow ups, primary care or mental health services. Some weeks, as many as 6 appointments.

With the support of my therapist and encouragement of those closest to me, I am accepting that I need my community’s help. The increased stress around financial stability and this great need for care is not good for my heart health or my recovery and though I’d like to believe I can, this is not something I can get through alone. Thank you so much for your support! It means a lot to me. ”