Lenny's Open Heart Surgery

Hello, my name is Christa, and in one month, on November 14, 2022, my husband Lenny will have open heart surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm. I am setting up this donation fund to help cover household and living expenses and any medical expenses not covered by insurance.

The aneurysm was found by accident. Lenny went to the doctor for a routine blood pressure check and noticed his chest felt a bit tight. He mentioned it to the doctor, who then hooked him up to the EKG. It was found he was in Afib. He was instructed to go to the ER and was eventually shuttled to the hospital to stay until he converted to a normal heart rhythm. While at the hospital, he had an echocardiogram. It was found then that he had an ascending aortic aneurysm. After getting a second opinion and further testing, we found out that he was born with a bicuspid valve instead of a tricuspid valve. In normal circumstances, an aneurysm his size with a tricuspid valve would be a wait-and-see situation, which could mean years before surgery would be needed. However, the bicuspid valve combined with the aneurysm made surgery necessary sooner rather than later. Well… it is sooner, and the surgery has been scheduled for three days after his 51st birthday.

Recovery from the surgery will take at least three months. Lenny is a lead automotive technician. Due to the physicality of his work and because he gets paid by the job, he will not be paid during his recovery period. He has two weeks of vacation pay and disability payments that should kick in. Even with disability, his pay will be significantly decreased from his normal pay. When he does finally return to work, he will be on light duty, which will also cause a decrease in his normal pay. During this time, we still need to pay our household bills which include: mortgage, automobile payments, storage unit, insurance (auto, boat, home, and health), credit card, utilities, gas, groceries, and school necessities for our 14-year-old son, and any medical expenses not covered by our health insurance.

My husband is a generous man and would gladly give the shirt off his back to help someone. He is constantly helping family, friends and neighbors and even strangers. I have had to set aside my pride to allow others the grace to help as my husband helps others. I hate to ask for help and money in this way, but I will so that I can keep my household running without getting into potentially unbearable debt. Your support and generosity will be a great gift to my husband, the gift of alleviating financial stresses and concerns so that he can focus on healing. I humble myself and simply ask - help.

My family and I thank everyone who has taken the time to read our story. We appreciate any help, whether financial or prayers, and positive thoughts cast out to the universe.

I would also like to add that any donations not used to help us through his recovery period will be donated to the American Heart Association to help fund the research, education, and advocacy initiatives in fighting cardiovascular disease.