December 10, 2023
Hello!
I wrote this special blog to ask for your help...
My heart condition is very serious and I will need a heart transplant. I received additional procedures and a pacemaker defibrillator. But my heart condition is still severe and dangerous.
I ask for your support to help me focus on my wellness and recovery.
A Brief History: Three Severe Conditions
About three years ago, I was admitted to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston with heart failure. My fabulous wellness team brought me back from the brink of near death.
If you or a family member has had heart failure, you know how serious this condition can be.
The lower part of my heart was severely dilated. My ejection fraction (EF) was around 7% and the normal EF in a healthy heart should be 50% to 70%!
The doctors performed two other procedures including:
- An ablation procedure to fix my heart’s atrial fibrillation. My electrophysiologist, Dr. Jonathan Waks, performed the ablation and fixed the problem.
- A heart cathertization procedure related to the severe issues in my heart.
I am extremely thankful that the BIDMC team nursed me back to return home to my family. But my EF remains dangerously low at 15%.
Yes, I am physically disabled from my weak heart. But I focus on good health through walking, weight control and meditation in my daily routines.
The doctors are not sure why my heart is failing. But I feel that my heart condition is stress related to the pandemic, combined with my lifelong anxiety and depression.
Where I Am Today: Failing Heart and Kidneys
In 2022, Dr. Waks implanted a pacemaker/defibrillator device. My condition is stable, but my heart function is still failing.
Today, my cardiologist, Dr. Marwa Sabe is very concerned that my kidneys are not getting enough blood flow.
You know that any problem with your kidneys can be life-threatening.
This year, Dr. Sabe reviewed my recent right heart cathertization test. She recommended a complete evaluation to place me on the heart transplant list.
After the evaluation, a committee will determine if I qualify for the transplant waiting list. The evaluation process continues.
Since my heart failure, I remain very weak. My condition affects me physically, emotionally, and mentally. I’m resigned to the fact that a heart transplant is my best path to wellness.
Open Your Hearts and Wallets: Saving My Life
As a single income family, we ask for your financial help. One income is a big strain on my family and we have depleted our emergency fund.
I ask that you open your hearts and wallets to help my family. We welcome your generous gift of any amount.
My spouse, Bessie, continues to work for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She loves animals and created a website (DrPetMom.com) to encourage adoption of senior and special needs pets.
We adopted a feral cat, Oscar, who is a love bug and a wonderful therapy cat for our family. Homeless animals need forever homes too. She is also writing a series of books about pet parenting tips.
This year, Bessie had major lower abdominal surgery. Thank God, the pathology was benign. She is still slowly recovering.
Your gift will make an impact.
Your gift will relieve our financial stress while I grapple with the medical challenges ahead.
Your gift will also allow me to return to a normal life when I can pay forward your love and kindness.
And your prayers are very much welcome…
I am grateful to you for your generous gift to save my life!
Thank you!
I am grateful that you are reading this blog and considering a gift!
Gifts can be made via PayPal (preferred): https://paypal.me/SocialClaude
Or you can mail a paper check or money order to:
Claude DiDomenica
PO Box 873
Norwood, MA 02062
I can arrange other payment methods but the best would be PayPal or check. If you use the link I provided, 100% goes directly to me without any fees whatsoever. And the funds are deposited generally the next day in my bank account.
You can email me at: SocialClaudeD —@— gmail.com.
Good health and best to all,
Claude DiDomenica
