Survived 8 heart attacks & need to move back home

Update on my ❤️‍ Journey,

I saw my primary care provider the other day and found out I had what’s called a Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection. Not much is known about this type of heart attack/attacks (I had 8) except it only makes up 1-4% of all heart attacks, it’s mostly common in women (90%) and it’s rare to survive.

From what Doctors know, SCAD is a side effect from an unknown, underlying condition or disorder.

I have had so many blood tests done to check for multiple autoimmune disorders but because I’m in Hawai’i they were all sent back to the Mainland and will take a few weeks to complete. I also have several nodules on my lungs which I’ll be having a CT scan to recheck the sizes and if they haven’t went down I’ll need to see a pulmonologist for a biopsy.

My appointment with my Cardiologist is on Tuesday and from what I was told before I’ll need another MRI on my Heart and Stomach to look for more blockages.

This has definitely been the scariest thing I’ve been through in my life. I have a long road of recovery ahead but I couldn’t be more thankful to have such an amazing husband by my side taking care of me ❤️

My daughter who calls/texts several times a day to check in, my best friend who reminds me of how incredibly tough and stubborn I am to make it through this. And my Mom who has been so supportive.

My husband has not been able to work as I’m still not 100% stable on my feet, get winded pretty quickly and still slow going being able to take care of myself completely.

Any donation helps so much since Alex has to stay home to take care of me and is not able to work.

Niki will be flying out Mid August to come get me and fly with me back to Washington. My daughter and her boyfriend will be flying in to help Alex with packing up our stuff and getting the dogs ready to fly with them back to Washington. All of this planning is exhausting and expensive

I’m doing my best laying in bed trying to plan but our funds are going fast and more will definitely be needed to make it happen.

I have never been one to ask for help, I’ve always just managed to work my hardest to make things happen, unfortunately I’m not in the position to do that this time around and help from others is the only way we’re going to make it through this difficult time and situation.

Thank you so much for all the well wishes, it really means a lot ♥️

I’ll update again when I find out more.

Much love to everyone, thank you for your support and prayers.

Love Tish

About a month ago I went to the ER with some minor chest pain, I had never experienced that kind of pain in my chest before so I thought it would be best to get checked out. The ER did an EKG and ran a few blood tests, but released me shortly afterwards saying I was fine.

For the next couple of weeks I was downing antacids like candy thinking I was just having terrible heartburn. By Wednesday of last week the pain was intense, I wasn’t sleeping and unfortunately due to tropical storm Calvin, (we live in Hawai’i) My husband and I were trapped at our property unable to cross our river. Finally Thursday showed us a break from the rain and Alex brought me back to the ER. The ER did another EKG which they said looked fine but I was in terrible pain and my blood pressure was really low. Finally they did a blood test for my heart and it showed I had some recent damage. I was transferred to Hilo hospital here on the Big Island, which has better care for Cardiac patients. I definitely wasn’t a typical case. My EKG’s were not showing what they would expect to see but my blood pressure kept plummeting down into the 70/40’s and I was feeling terrible. I was finally able to see a Cardiologist and thankfully she decided to take me in to the Cath Lab where they could go in and look at my heart.

After a month of wondering what was happening in my body and knowing something “wasn’t right” I finally found out…

I had a complete dissection in my artery, it had completely torn or more so shredded, and the Cardiologist ended up putting in 3 stents to repair the damage.

I’m finally home from the hospital but my life has changed drastically…

Our current living situation is not safe. We do not have running water, no power, and a driveway that collapses trees (Hau) on top of itself weekly, blocking our way out. I had 3 heart attacks on 7/20/23 while my poor husband worked as fast as he could to clear out the collapsed trees from the storm the night before, taking him about an hour and a half, and the closest hospital that is able to provide proper care is over 3 hours away.

Honestly, I have a little PTSD thinking about having to return to the property after our stay at the Airbnb we are currently staying ends next Tuesday.

Alex and I are away from all of our family on this island with only a few friends for support. We do absolutely love it here, but we haven’t been able to find a safe housing situation as it is very expensive here.

I felt so incredibly helpless and bad for my husband as he was the only one here to support me, while driving back and forth 3 hrs each way to get home and take care of our animals after spending the day at the hospital with me.

I’ve always been the tough one, the one to take on all problems head on. But those days in that hospital were the most helpless I’ve ever felt.

I am not able to return to work and Alex has had to leave his position as well to drive me back and forth to the numerous appointments I have ahead of me (I’m not allowed to drive). So we have decided it’s time to leave Hawai’i and relocate back to Washington to be closer to family for support, and better healthcare.

I want to thank my amazing Husband, he’s so patient with me. His love truly is the most precious gift.

I also want to thank my family and friends for doing their absolute most to support me while I’m over 2000 miles away and going through this life altering journey.

Any financial help will be absolutely appreciated and will be put to use in helping us with all of our expenses until Alex is able to get back to work after our move back to Washington.

Remember that life is short, hold the ones you love close, and always say I love you.

❤️