Support Josh's Urgent Heart Surgery and Recovery

I am reaching out with a heavy heart to share the story of my husband, Josh, who is facing a challenging medical journey. On October 8, 2024, Josh was rushed to the hospital due to severe lower abdominal pain. After thorough examinations, he was admitted for an emergency surgery to address a hernia with a bowel obstruction.

While preparing for this surgery, we received devastating news from the cardiothoracic team at Barnes. They discovered that Josh’s congenital heart disease has worsened, and he will need open-heart surgery within the next month or two. Josh was born with a congenital heart defect known as aortic stenosis, also referred to as Shone syndrome. Unfortunately, the valve in his heart has thickened significantly since his last appointment, to the point where doctors were surprised he hadn’t fainted or passed out just from walking around.

Since our last update, Josh has undergone several appointments and tests. The medical team has determined that his surgical plan is more complex than initially thought. He will require not only a valve replacement but also an aortic root replacement and a plication of the ventricular septal aneurysm through a thoracotomy.

This news has taken an immense toll on our family, and as Josh is the primary provider for our family of five—our three wonderful children, including a teenager graduating high school this year and two younger ones in kindergarten—this situation feels overwhelming. With Josh unable to work, his disability benefits will not cover the extensive medical expenses and our everyday cost of living.

I typically don’t ask for help, but we are in urgent need of support to help us navigate this devastating time. Any contributions, no matter how small, will make a significant difference as we focus on Josh’s health and recovery.

If you’re unable to donate, I kindly ask that you share this post with others who may be able to help. Your prayers, love, and support mean the world to us during this challenging time.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. We appreciate each and every one of you.