Waiting for a Heart

A friend of mine, Howard Gofrth, has a nephew who is waiting for a heart. This is just mind blowing to me. Steve Goforth is 37 years old with a wife and two young boys, ages seven and nine. His father grew up here in Bartlesville, though he was several years ahead of me in high school. I was out in Tucson for the winter (January-February) this year when I first learned of Steve's problems. Howard kept us posted from the point where "he has an enlarged" heart to "he is on a list waiting for a heart". How does one handle that type of news. I remember how scared I was when the doctor told me "you need bypass surgery". I can't imagine what went through Steve's mind when he learned that he needed not only a new heart, but that the existing one wasn't good enough to last him until he got one. Instead he has been put on an artificial pump while he waits. I was on a bypass pump for less than an hour and had doctors and nurses constantly monitoring me. Steve is walking around with one on his belt with no one monitoring him.

I think it takes real courage to handle this situation. You can read about Steve's journey through this ordeal at his blog (firemansheart.blogspot.com). It is also listed under the recommended blogs section of this blog. You will be impressed how well he is handling the news and the wait.

Steve has already used up about half of the two million lifetime maximum of his medical insurance and he still has to incur the costs for the temporary pump, the actual removal and transplant of the heart, rehab, and constant monitoring for the rest of his life. These are costs one just can't put into a monthly budget. In addition, he is unable to work while he waits. His disability insurance will expire soon. His wife continues to work, but it just isn't enough to meet their current obligations. You can help Steve and his family by donating at

http://www.firemansheart.org/

to a medical fund set up for him by his friends. The link is also included in the link section of this blog. Any contribution will be appredciated. Remember that Obama raised a huge amount of campaign funds by receiving contributions of $5 and $10. While you are considering a monetary donation, think about signing up for organ donation, if you haven't already. There is a link in the links section of this blog to Donate Life America and Myths about organ donations. The myths link will tell you that your organs can't be to old or worn out.

Please send your friends and family the above link to help Steve. I'm sure we can make a significant dent into his healthcare costs if enough people learn about his condition.

If you can't afford a donation, then please join with me by praying for Steve and his family until this ordeal ends.