Matthew Rutkowski Heart Transplant Fund
Donation protected
Matt has always had a love of life and a big heart. His presence is strong and those who know him are drawn to his kind, fun, witty and charming personality. Matt can met someone and instantly become their friend. He can find good in everything and everyone. He loves telling jokes, saying quick witted things and making people laugh. I have grown so much as a person these last 16 years because of him, he has taught me to be kinder, how to appreciate the little things in life, to be compassionate and the way to a good mans heart is definitely with lots of home cooking. Most importantly he has taught me to have faith and when it feels like life is at its worst there are always 101 things that make life great. I've seen him give homeless people his last $5 because they needed it more. Watched him continue to love and be a father to his 3 kids after he separated from their mother. Blessed now with 3 grandkids he loves every minute of their time together and misses them the moment they go home. Our cats have an amazing bond with him and they help him stay healthy.
In 2015 Matt suffered his 2nd heart attack.
Things weren't good and he was told he was in the ending stages of congestive heart failure. Our lives were turned upside down. He managed to still be the lovable guy we all know and love. He starting improving his health . He changed his diet and quit smoking.
Unfortunately heart disease runs in his family, he's diabetic and his heart was already severely damaged. In 2017 he suffered his 3rd heart attack, it took 15 minutes before he could be revived. Doctors were concerned about brain damage and didn't expect him to survive. He amazed us all when he woke up. He was home a week later.
He started walking for exercise at night. It was hard for him at 1st but 5 minute walks eventually turned into an hour walk and then he began walking 3 miles a day, 5 days week. He was doing good. His attitude was positive and he was determined to lose weight. He never had bad days or complained about feeling sick.
Since February of this year he has been in and out of the hospitals 7 times due to his defibrillator firing. This last visit was for 27 days. He had some complications from a procedure that again left him fighting to live. Amazing us all again, including his team of doctors he was up the next day and breathing on his own. Barely able to talk he said to us "I promise you, I am not going to let this thing get me. I promise, I will beat this, I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to fight as hard as I can to be here for my kids, grandkids and you. I promise you". The determination he had in his voice was powerful to hear & at that moment I knew he would fight this.
On June 12th he went into cardiac arrest at our home. His defibrillator fired multiple times but this time it couldn't get his heart beating. Paramedics performed CPR for 20 minutes. Doctors didnt predict a good outcome for him due to his past attacks and how weak his heart now was. They induced hypothermia and on Friday June 14th he woke up. He was air lifted to Tampa where he has been in the transplant program for the last year. That afternoon he went into cardiac arrest. He was hooked up to machines when 30 minutes of CPR wasn't working. He later had complications and his organs starting shutting down. Doctors were able to determine that he still had cognitive function and performed a emergency open heart surgery.
The surgery worked. His organs starting healing and his body was able to support them. He is dependent on machines to keep him alive and will remain in the hospital awaiting a heart.
He is a fighting for his life and proving how strong he is. He is determined to be here for all of those that love him.
I've always believed that Matt has a special gift and that God has plan for him that Matt had not yet figured out. I see Matt doing amazing things and helping thousands of people.
THE GOOD NEWS!
He was approved Mon June 17th for a level one emergency heart transplant. He is now on the list and will receive a heart quickly.
We will have to remain in Tampa 6 months after the surgery. Matt's generosity and kindness towards others over the years has blessed him with some amazing friends. One of those friends is allowing us to stay in his home locally while Matt recovers.
I will not be able to work during his recovery as I will be his primary caregiver. This fund is needed for monthly expenses, medical bills & medications not covered by his insurance and possible travel expenses for secondary caregivers.
His strength, will, positivity and courage will allow him to lead a longer life and be able to do so many more things than before.
If you would like to share a story about Matt on this page please do so.
I would love to read them to him while he recovers. He draws a lot of his strength from those he loves. Support is key to his speedy recovery.
In 2015 Matt suffered his 2nd heart attack.
Things weren't good and he was told he was in the ending stages of congestive heart failure. Our lives were turned upside down. He managed to still be the lovable guy we all know and love. He starting improving his health . He changed his diet and quit smoking.
Unfortunately heart disease runs in his family, he's diabetic and his heart was already severely damaged. In 2017 he suffered his 3rd heart attack, it took 15 minutes before he could be revived. Doctors were concerned about brain damage and didn't expect him to survive. He amazed us all when he woke up. He was home a week later.
He started walking for exercise at night. It was hard for him at 1st but 5 minute walks eventually turned into an hour walk and then he began walking 3 miles a day, 5 days week. He was doing good. His attitude was positive and he was determined to lose weight. He never had bad days or complained about feeling sick.
Since February of this year he has been in and out of the hospitals 7 times due to his defibrillator firing. This last visit was for 27 days. He had some complications from a procedure that again left him fighting to live. Amazing us all again, including his team of doctors he was up the next day and breathing on his own. Barely able to talk he said to us "I promise you, I am not going to let this thing get me. I promise, I will beat this, I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to fight as hard as I can to be here for my kids, grandkids and you. I promise you". The determination he had in his voice was powerful to hear & at that moment I knew he would fight this.
On June 12th he went into cardiac arrest at our home. His defibrillator fired multiple times but this time it couldn't get his heart beating. Paramedics performed CPR for 20 minutes. Doctors didnt predict a good outcome for him due to his past attacks and how weak his heart now was. They induced hypothermia and on Friday June 14th he woke up. He was air lifted to Tampa where he has been in the transplant program for the last year. That afternoon he went into cardiac arrest. He was hooked up to machines when 30 minutes of CPR wasn't working. He later had complications and his organs starting shutting down. Doctors were able to determine that he still had cognitive function and performed a emergency open heart surgery.
The surgery worked. His organs starting healing and his body was able to support them. He is dependent on machines to keep him alive and will remain in the hospital awaiting a heart.
He is a fighting for his life and proving how strong he is. He is determined to be here for all of those that love him.
I've always believed that Matt has a special gift and that God has plan for him that Matt had not yet figured out. I see Matt doing amazing things and helping thousands of people.
THE GOOD NEWS!
He was approved Mon June 17th for a level one emergency heart transplant. He is now on the list and will receive a heart quickly.
We will have to remain in Tampa 6 months after the surgery. Matt's generosity and kindness towards others over the years has blessed him with some amazing friends. One of those friends is allowing us to stay in his home locally while Matt recovers.
I will not be able to work during his recovery as I will be his primary caregiver. This fund is needed for monthly expenses, medical bills & medications not covered by his insurance and possible travel expenses for secondary caregivers.
His strength, will, positivity and courage will allow him to lead a longer life and be able to do so many more things than before.
If you would like to share a story about Matt on this page please do so.
I would love to read them to him while he recovers. He draws a lot of his strength from those he loves. Support is key to his speedy recovery.
Organizer
Susan Hens
Organizer
Bonita Springs, FL