Medical expenses for Terence Stokes
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October 23, 2019 was the day that our world changed. My husband, Terence "Terry" Stokes had been feeling sick for a few weeks and continued to get worse. It started off as a cold and eventually developed into difficulty breathing and the inability to get comfortable. He is quite stubborn and didn't want to go to the doctor. On the morning of the 23rd, I found him nearly unconcious on our couch whimpering and I told him we were headed to the ER. Upon arrival they immediately began to work him up with concerns of a heart attack or something similar. His heart was racing at 200+ bpm and he was gasping for air. Next thing I knew, there were 4-5 doctors surrounding him, IVs being placed, EKGs being ran, oxygen masks and forms requiring my signature to allow for treatment of A Fib. They wanted to do a procedure where they look closer at his heart to be sure there wasn't a clot, the do a cardioversion (shock) his heart back into a normal rhythm. They needed to sedate him to get started, I was given just a few minutes to kiss him and assure him everything was alright, then they sent me to a waiting room until they could get some answers. After what seemed like hours, the cardiologist came in to let me know that they needed to intubate him, put him on a ventilator and transfer him to the heart hospital in Indy. Was there anyone I could call to come be with me... on a Wednesday morning....everyone I knew was working. I called my parents, who headed to me as quick as they could.
We met the transport team at Community North Heart and Vascular hospital 2 hours later and that was the first time I saw him laying in the bed, connected to the VENT, and hooked up to IVs, monitors, with a central line and dialysis catheter in place because now they say that his kidneys are struggling and he needs 24 hour slow dialysis. They did the procedure to see if they could cardiovert him back to normal rhythm, but he had a very large clot in his left atrium, so they could not. Im not even sure how I made it through the first night...but somehow I made it home to hug my kiddos and try to comfort them while they realize daddy is staying at the hospital. Gratefully my mom settled in quickly to our new routine and just took care of things at our home as I began the new journey of going to the hospital each morning to meet with the doctors during morning rounds. The first morning I met our young cardiologist, who just happened to be Philippino, and he informed me that Terry was in cardiogenic shock and was not only in heart failure, but also kidney, liver and respiratory failure. They were doing all they could, but each organ system relies on the other systems to work and most medications were contraindicated in each scenario we were dealing with....his kidneys needed IV fluids but his heart couldn't handle it, his liver failure limited what BP meds we could use...we were in a lot of catch 22 situations.
Each new day brought new challenges but also minor improvements. By the 3rd day I was feeling slightly optimistic because I was present for Terry's "sedation vacation" where they stop sedation to see if he can respond and he did. I felt on top of the world seeing him squeeze the doctors hands and move his feet. He was still on all the meds, and dialysis, but I was seeing improvements.
On the 4th day I met our other cardiologist on the heart failure team...he was very matter of fact and informed me that Terry's prognosis was poor and he had a 50/50 chance at survival. I feel sorry for our nurse Tracy that day. I think she actually picked me up off the floor. I was terrified once again. The ups and downs of the ICU are terrible...time stands still and you sit and wait for the doctors...and then cry after they leave.
They kept telling me that we just had to give it time. I would stare at his EKG and see his HR go from 75-80 up to 140-150 with pvc's and the alarm A Fib constantly lit up in yellow. I learned quickly what alarms to actually listen to, and which could be ignored.
On day 5 something changed...Terry began to respond to his BP medications and his liver and kidney parameters began to improve. His HR became "stable" at 100-115 bpm, and he came off dialysis. He was making steady improvements...still slow, but steady. On day 6 they started weaning him off of the sedation. On day 7 they pulled him off the vent and extubated him. He was making big strides and I was told by the NP that he was making a miraculous recovery!
On day 8 a new doctor from the electrocardio unit stopped in to talk to us about having a pacemaker and defibrillator put in...which came as a complete shock...as it hadn't been mentioned before. She explained everything and said she would come back the next day to discuss further.
After several phone calls and discussions with nurses I trust, I felt better about this procedure. It was scheduled for Monday morning.
Luckily his procedure went very well, even though his heart is so large and weak.
He remained in the hospital for an additional 2 days and was finally released 14 days later on November 6th. He missed Halloween with our kids, seeing our 1 year old begin walking, and her cutting her first tooth. We were so very glad to bring him home!!!
I say our life changed because we now have learned to lean on others. We have to use a babysitter for the first time ever for our Raeya. Terry has a long road ahead. He is still in heart failure and will be on lifelong medications and diet restrictions with numerous trips to the doctor!!! He is slowly building his strength back up. We as a family are making changes.
I had just started a new job October 1st. I am so very grateful for my understanding boss, supervisor and team who have been there for me every step of the way. I have missed a total of 3 1/2 weeks of work. We are a family that lives pay check to pay check. The bills are starting to roll in...and now I am feeling the stress of debt. I didn't want to ask for help...but I am learning to graciously accept help in this time of need. So many friends and family have already jumped in with groceries, gift cards, financial donations and prayers. I am so humbled by the kindness we have been shown. Terry and I have been together since high school, 23 years and will celebrate 15 years married in April. We are committed in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer.
Thank you for reading our story, and we appreciate any help you can give, even just by sharing this.
Have a blessed day,
Amy and Terry
We met the transport team at Community North Heart and Vascular hospital 2 hours later and that was the first time I saw him laying in the bed, connected to the VENT, and hooked up to IVs, monitors, with a central line and dialysis catheter in place because now they say that his kidneys are struggling and he needs 24 hour slow dialysis. They did the procedure to see if they could cardiovert him back to normal rhythm, but he had a very large clot in his left atrium, so they could not. Im not even sure how I made it through the first night...but somehow I made it home to hug my kiddos and try to comfort them while they realize daddy is staying at the hospital. Gratefully my mom settled in quickly to our new routine and just took care of things at our home as I began the new journey of going to the hospital each morning to meet with the doctors during morning rounds. The first morning I met our young cardiologist, who just happened to be Philippino, and he informed me that Terry was in cardiogenic shock and was not only in heart failure, but also kidney, liver and respiratory failure. They were doing all they could, but each organ system relies on the other systems to work and most medications were contraindicated in each scenario we were dealing with....his kidneys needed IV fluids but his heart couldn't handle it, his liver failure limited what BP meds we could use...we were in a lot of catch 22 situations.
Each new day brought new challenges but also minor improvements. By the 3rd day I was feeling slightly optimistic because I was present for Terry's "sedation vacation" where they stop sedation to see if he can respond and he did. I felt on top of the world seeing him squeeze the doctors hands and move his feet. He was still on all the meds, and dialysis, but I was seeing improvements.
On the 4th day I met our other cardiologist on the heart failure team...he was very matter of fact and informed me that Terry's prognosis was poor and he had a 50/50 chance at survival. I feel sorry for our nurse Tracy that day. I think she actually picked me up off the floor. I was terrified once again. The ups and downs of the ICU are terrible...time stands still and you sit and wait for the doctors...and then cry after they leave.
They kept telling me that we just had to give it time. I would stare at his EKG and see his HR go from 75-80 up to 140-150 with pvc's and the alarm A Fib constantly lit up in yellow. I learned quickly what alarms to actually listen to, and which could be ignored.
On day 5 something changed...Terry began to respond to his BP medications and his liver and kidney parameters began to improve. His HR became "stable" at 100-115 bpm, and he came off dialysis. He was making steady improvements...still slow, but steady. On day 6 they started weaning him off of the sedation. On day 7 they pulled him off the vent and extubated him. He was making big strides and I was told by the NP that he was making a miraculous recovery!
On day 8 a new doctor from the electrocardio unit stopped in to talk to us about having a pacemaker and defibrillator put in...which came as a complete shock...as it hadn't been mentioned before. She explained everything and said she would come back the next day to discuss further.
After several phone calls and discussions with nurses I trust, I felt better about this procedure. It was scheduled for Monday morning.
Luckily his procedure went very well, even though his heart is so large and weak.
He remained in the hospital for an additional 2 days and was finally released 14 days later on November 6th. He missed Halloween with our kids, seeing our 1 year old begin walking, and her cutting her first tooth. We were so very glad to bring him home!!!
I say our life changed because we now have learned to lean on others. We have to use a babysitter for the first time ever for our Raeya. Terry has a long road ahead. He is still in heart failure and will be on lifelong medications and diet restrictions with numerous trips to the doctor!!! He is slowly building his strength back up. We as a family are making changes.
I had just started a new job October 1st. I am so very grateful for my understanding boss, supervisor and team who have been there for me every step of the way. I have missed a total of 3 1/2 weeks of work. We are a family that lives pay check to pay check. The bills are starting to roll in...and now I am feeling the stress of debt. I didn't want to ask for help...but I am learning to graciously accept help in this time of need. So many friends and family have already jumped in with groceries, gift cards, financial donations and prayers. I am so humbled by the kindness we have been shown. Terry and I have been together since high school, 23 years and will celebrate 15 years married in April. We are committed in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer.
Thank you for reading our story, and we appreciate any help you can give, even just by sharing this.
Have a blessed day,
Amy and Terry
Organizer
Amy Stokes
Organizer
Lebanon, IN