Support Brian in his Heart Health Battle

Hello! My name is Ashton, and I’m reaching out to share my family's story in the hopes of garnering support for my father’s mounting medical expenses. Over the past few months, he has faced significant health challenges, battling Atrial Fibrillation—an irregular heartbeat that can lead to serious complications—and Ventricular Tachycardia, a potentially life-threatening cardiovascular disorder. 

 

His journey has led to numerous extended hospital stays, each lasting a week or more, where he has undergone a series of invasive treatments, including ablations in an effort to restore normal heart function, and the installation of an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) to manage his heart rhythm. Unfortunately, despite the extensive medical intervention, doctors have indicated that a heart transplant may be a consideration as a last resort.

 

Given these circumstances, and the fact that he has been unable to work due to his condition, I am creating this GoFundMe campaign with the hope of easing some of the financial burdens our family is currently facing. The funds raised will go towards covering his medical bills, regular living expenses, travel costs for medical appointments, and any other necessities that may arise during this challenging time.

UPDATE (11/9/2024)

Since the last update, we’ve learned that Dad has been diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease that causes clusters of abnormal cells, called granulomas, to form in the heart tissue. These granulomas can interfere with the normal function of the heart, leading to complications such as irregular heart rhythms, including ventricular tachycardia (V-tach).

Over the past couple of days, the medical team started him on a high-dose steroid regimen, which has been effective so far in controlling both the inflammation from sarcoidosis and reducing the frequency of his V-tach episodes. This initial steroid course is designed to last for three days, after which they will begin tapering down the steroids gradually and introducing antibiotics to prevent potential infections due to his immunosuppressed state. The treatment plan is to cycle between steroids and antibiotics in a repeating pattern, which they hope will manage the inflammation, keep the sarcoidosis in check, and ultimately help stabilize his heart rhythm.

Even with the steroids showing promising results, the doctors are also discussing the possibility of a heart transplant as a long-term solution. The transplant would remove the source of his heart issues entirely. He’s been evaluated and approved to be placed on the transplant list, with plans to officially list him as early as Monday.

For now, he’s still being closely monitored at Vanderbilt to see how he responds to the steroids. The medical team is watching his progress carefully but hasn’t provided a set timeline. This means he could be discharged within a few days if his condition stabilizes, or he might remain hospitalized for a longer period, depending on how things evolve.

We deeply appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this challenging time. Your support means the world to our family