Justine’s Fight Against Congestive Heart Failure
Donation protected
Justine Gibson is a 25 year old currently living in Jacksonville, FL since separating from the U.S. Navy in mid 2019. She is one of my best friends who I met while my family was stationed in Washington state, and someone who I consider my sister. She has been a part of my family and my children’s lives and we love her dearly. After leaving the military, she started serving and managing at a brand new restaurant called The Local in Neptune Beach, FL.
Justine was sick before she left the Navy, and from the moment she got out it has progressively gotten worse. After going to urgent care multiple times over the course of the last 6 months, being treated for bronchitis, pneumonia, and receiving breathing treatments, she still didn’t get better. After ending up in the hospital last week with worsening symptoms they finally ran further testing. Doctors and cardiologists determined that she has Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and her heart was not pumping enough blood to fulfill her body's needs. After a few days on the general hospital floor at Memorial Hospital, her condition further declined and she was transferred to the Heart and Chest Pain Center at Memorial. She has an ejection fraction (EF
20%, a person with a healthy heart typically has an EF of anywhere between 55-65%.
She is now going on over a week in the hospital, and is unsure when she will be released. Justine is currently fighting hard to manage this condition, and the challenges that come with CHF. As we look towards the next steps, once released, she will be required to wear a LifeVest, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) which is worn by patients at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). A defibrillator is a device that is used to control dangerously fast heart rhythms by applying an electric shock to the heart. If they can not get her heart above 35% in the next few months, she will have to undergo a surgery to place a permanent defibrillator in her chest.
Justine is unsure as to how much the Veterans Assistance (VA) benefits will cover for the amount of medical bills, LifeVest, and all the medications that she will need to be on continuously. She has already missed a significant amount of work days that she relies on for her general living expenses. Anything that you can do to help Justine is greatly appreciated, whether its donating, spreading the word, or just sending your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post! All proceeds will go directly to Justine to cover medical costs.
Thank you again!
Blessings,
Jessica Bush (Best Friend)
Justine was sick before she left the Navy, and from the moment she got out it has progressively gotten worse. After going to urgent care multiple times over the course of the last 6 months, being treated for bronchitis, pneumonia, and receiving breathing treatments, she still didn’t get better. After ending up in the hospital last week with worsening symptoms they finally ran further testing. Doctors and cardiologists determined that she has Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and her heart was not pumping enough blood to fulfill her body's needs. After a few days on the general hospital floor at Memorial Hospital, her condition further declined and she was transferred to the Heart and Chest Pain Center at Memorial. She has an ejection fraction (EF
20%, a person with a healthy heart typically has an EF of anywhere between 55-65%.
She is now going on over a week in the hospital, and is unsure when she will be released. Justine is currently fighting hard to manage this condition, and the challenges that come with CHF. As we look towards the next steps, once released, she will be required to wear a LifeVest, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) which is worn by patients at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). A defibrillator is a device that is used to control dangerously fast heart rhythms by applying an electric shock to the heart. If they can not get her heart above 35% in the next few months, she will have to undergo a surgery to place a permanent defibrillator in her chest.
Justine is unsure as to how much the Veterans Assistance (VA) benefits will cover for the amount of medical bills, LifeVest, and all the medications that she will need to be on continuously. She has already missed a significant amount of work days that she relies on for her general living expenses. Anything that you can do to help Justine is greatly appreciated, whether its donating, spreading the word, or just sending your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post! All proceeds will go directly to Justine to cover medical costs.
Thank you again!
Blessings,
Jessica Bush (Best Friend)
Organizer
Jessica Bush
Organizer
Jacksonville, FL