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Free Ice Cream & A New Heart

 As we celebrated 7 months off the heart transplant list we quickly found ourselves back on the list. Many of you will be shocked by this news...and I won't lie...we were too

Mike came down with the tiniest of colds and a little cough at the end of June 2024. His appetite dwindled and he just wasn't interested in being super active. By the devine grace of God and His perfect timing Mike's doctors office called and randomly wanted a blood panel completed. The results caused them to call and Mike expressed his concerns about his little cold and other small symptoms. They had him come into the office gave him an IV to help get some fluid off his body. He lost 10 pounds in less than 24 hours...and his cough went away. They set up a right heart cath for the next day to see what was going on. The results came in a bit worse than the previous November 2023 cath, but not too alarming and they released him to go home. 

We took the boys to SpringHill, enjoyed some alone time, picked them back up and headed to the UP for 4th of July. We celebrated Mike's birthday (July 8th), celebrated my dad's birthday (July 12th), had Mike's birthday party (July 20th), I went on a work trip (July 23-25), celebrated Vanessa's birthday on (July 26th), celebrated Lorriane's birthday (July 28th), I went on another work trip (July 30-31). It was a busy July to say the least! 

During this time we could tell something was off with Mike. His cough returned, he lost more weight, his appetite and energy was gone, and we could see that his heart was working hard. August 1st he had a follow up appointment and we again expressed these concerns. The doctors were concerned as well and he was admitted to the hospital. 

He was given a right heart cath that evening and a swan was placed. At first the cath looked normal, but when the blood was drawn from the swan directly from his heart they found that his heart was very weak. Mike was in cardiogenic shock...his organs were doing well...but his heart was not. 



After many tests, procedures, medications, talks, and emotionally draining exhusting days Mike was placed back on the heart transplant list, this time at a level 2. He will be staying in the hospital until he receives a heart; which hopefully will be in 2-4 weeks time or more - just depends when a heart is available for him. 

On one draining day I took a walk and found myself at the ice cream stand in the children's hospital...ice cream heals a broken heart, right? I ordered and went around the corner finding myself face to face with an old team member that used to work for me. We exchanged greetings and I excitedly said hi to a friendly face. She said it was covered and waived me on to pick up my ice cream. Who knew a $1.39 ice cream could mean so much at that exact moment. I firmly believe that God gives us what we need in moments of great need. He sends people, smells, phone calls, animals, and kind words and acts to heal our hearts when they are breaking. 


What's Next: 

  • Every day is different but now we wait for the perfect heart to come. I will update as news comes and let you know how we are all doing. 

How to Help: 

  • Mike is at Butterworth Corewell Hospital in downtown Grand Rapids. Because he is on a heart floor there are special restrictions. He cannot accept flowers, plants, food, or latex ballons. 
  • Right now we are back and forth from home/school/daycare/work/hospital. Gift cards to the hospital cafeteria, or food places would be helpful-we can grab and go. When we are home, post transplant, meals will be helpful then. 
  • Prayer - we need lots of it!
  • Mike is going through a lot right now, please feel free to reach out via text to him or myself, or to call me.

To be honest - I am sure there are other ways to help I just don't know what they are right now! We are flying by the seat of our pants right now, there are no manuals for this adventure!

Special Shout Out to our Village: We have kept this news very private as we figured out what was going on. But we have already felt the love. Thank you for caring for our boys, making us cheeseburger soup, weeding our garden, mowing our lawn, running errands, and being there for the best hugs! We love you! 



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