Mom’s Second Open Heart Surgery

(Original post from August 10th)

Hi, everyone!

This GoFundMe is organized by Caitlin Bloomingdale (29) and Ryan Bloomingdale (25). We’ve created this fundraiser because our mom, Lynne, needs a second open heart surgery.

It’s been almost ten years since she received her first open heart surgery, and we previously held a benefit to help cover her medical expenses. However, as Catie and Mom live in a different state now, we, unfortunately, don’t have the same amazing community support we had during her previous surgery. So, we wanted to try another method of raising money to help pay for her medical bills.

Mom started experiencing the same symptoms of heart valve problems recently, i.e., fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heart rate and chest pain. She’s been meeting with a heart doctor since Catie and Mom moved to Ohio in late 2019. She has been testing at University Hospitals, and her heart surgeon is from Cleveland Clinic. They’ve been monitoring her replacement valve, and it’s finally reached the point where it needs to be replaced since it’s not functioning at its highest capacity anymore.

She has had to leave work frequently for scans, other appointments and meetings with her surgeon and cardiologist. Recently, through testing, it was also discovered that she has an expanded blood bubble in her aortic valve, similar to an aneurysm or embolism. Further tests are needed to determine the severity of it as, if it’s not currently growing or endangering her further, the doctors would prefer to wait to address it as it would involve more involved procedures.

Catie will be taking time off from work to help care for our Mom, and our aunt may also stay with Mom to provide her with more constant care and support. Mom will also need rehab for a long time post-procedure and was out from work for 3-4 months after her first open heart surgery. Her open heart surgery will most likely take place by the end of August.

We, of course, hope for a smooth surgery, speedy recovery and that she has the least amount of pain possible throughout the process. That said, if you’d like to donate funds to help support our Momma through this challenging time in her life and help her pay for her bills and medical expenses, please consider donating.

Anything helps, and our family would greatly appreciate it! If you cannot donate, sharing this page would also help us!