My name is Patience Winfrey. I am 32 years old. I currently reside in New Orleans, LA. In November of 2012 after giving birth to my first child, I was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in addition to congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and the list goes on. Eventually my heart seemed to recover and I was able to have another child in 2014. Sadly, in 2017 after the loss of my oldest due to an accident, I suffered from depression and the stress of everything took a toll on my body and heart to the point my heart percentage dropped and haven’t fully recovered. In 2020 I was told to get a S-ICD defibrillator in the event I go into cardiac arrest. In January 2022, I ended up having weight loss surgery to better my chances of getting a heart transplant. For the last two years of my life, I have been surviving but not living as my heart can only take so much. The week leading up to Easter 2024, I was hospitalized for fluid buildup which resulted in a meeting with my heart transplant team. It was then decided to begin the preparation to place me on the heart transplant list. As I was getting my right heart catherization test done, it was discovered that I had more fluid build up around my heart and the pressures of my heart had decreases. I have been placed on the heart transplant list as of May last year. Due to recent events that have taking place, I am currently in the hospital with a balloon pump in my left groin. I have been updated to a status 2e on the transplant list. So it could be anyday now that I get the call for a heart but until then I am and will be residing in the hospital. This has been a long journey but in the end I will have my big beautiful heart.
I am raising funds because I am unable to work as a result of my heart condition. While I am on disability because of the diagnosis, it doesn’t cover all of the expenses that I am to incur as a result of the transplant. I am looking for help with expenses that will come about pre/post transplant. Funds donated will go towards bills, food, and anything else needed. I am sincerely grateful for your words of encouragement, support and prayers!