Your share could raise $30
Before you go, did you know that simply by sharing this campaign, you could help it raise $30? It's an effective way to support the cause.
No thanks- Pin it
- SubscribeUnsubscribe
- Embed
Dawn Stevens Lyon hasn't added a story.
"My mom, Kathy Mathis is one of the strongest people I know. My mom is honestly the heart of my whole family. Unfortunately her heart doesn't work too well. A year and a half ago, while I was away at college, my mom had a massive heart attack. That is when this huge roller coaster ride for my family started. She started with finding out she had many heart attacks before, that she wasn't able to identify so they had caused major damage to her heart. Her heart was only functioning 20%. She then had valve replacement surgery which up-ed her function to 30%. Next was a double bypass surgery. An hour after the surgery, she went into cardiac arrest, was revived but then had to be opened up again due to internal bleeding. She survived, but had a very hard time recovering. She was unconscious for 2 days after the surgery, which were some of the hardest days for me. Her mother, my grandmother, had the same surgery many years ago, but didn't survive. It was truly my mom’s strength and faith that pushed her through.
The moment she was conscious and the days following, all she could do was worry about us and missing my brother’s last high school football games. But that is my mom, only thinking of others. Today, a year and a half later, my mom was told awful news. Her heart is still only functioning at 30%. She has another leaking valve and she is going to need an internal defibrillator on her heart. She has a test next week to check a spot on her lung they have been watching as well. My mom smoked for over 20 years, but stopped the night of her heart attack. What tops the cake is my mom and stepdad currently have no health insurance. The defibrillator alone will be $40,000. She has gone through so much already and now even more to come, but she would never show how hard or worried she is. Even with all the emotional and financial stress, she puts on a smile for everyone. I know she is cracking though, she even told me she feels as if she is back at square one. It breaks my heart to think of how she feels inside. It is hard for me to even think about or admit, but I get worried if she will be there for my wedding in 4 months or to see my little brother graduate college in 3 ½ years."
- Megan
As it stands right now, Kathy is afraid to leave the house. If her heart stops it won't be able to start on its own without the internal defibrillator and pacemaker. She won't show it but she is scared beyond words. She doesn't want to to die. They have put off all Christmas gift giving to have more money for the surgery. I think how hard I think my life is sometimes and how busy I am and how I would love to just slow down for a while, no chaos, smooth sailing, etc. But with this news and the other tragic events that have been going on in the world I'm refocusing on the fact that I am alive. My children are alive and were untouched by the evil that is plaguing others right now. God Bless my friends and family and may they have a wonderful holiday season with their families.
Highlights
See all activity106Activity
Delete media item?
Delete this item from the media gallery? It will also be deleted from any related story update.
Set as ?
The campaign video will appear in social media and email.
The campaign cover picture will appear in social media and email.
The will appear at the top of your campaign page and in social media and email.
Reset ?
It will be removed from the top of your campaign and won't be used as default in social media and email. The will remain in the media gallery.
Embed
Share a link
Delete update
Delete this story update?
Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.
Report campaign
Report submitted
Thank you. We take reports like yours very seriously. Our goal is to keep the community safe.
Please know that we may contact you for more information, but that we won't notify you personally of our decision. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Thank you. We've already received your previous report. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Tell us about the problem. Please fill in both fields below.
Record a video
Upload a video
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Take a minute or two to record one now. Record a short video message of support. Or upload one from your device. You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Upload a short video message of support. Upload a short video message of support. Or record one right now.
- Most effective video length: about a minute.
- Maximum length: 5 min.
- You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Heads up! The existing video will be replaced.
Email your friends
Join our team
Tell people why our cause matters to you. Your personal message will encourage others to help. Easy, effective, optional.
Say it in video
Short personal videos by supporters like you are incredibly powerful. Record one right now and you'll help us raise more money. Easy, optional, effective.
Add a personal goal
Set a personal fundraising goal. You'll encourage more contributions if you do. And rest easy. There's no obligation to achieve your goal or bad consequences if you don't. Easy, optional, effective.
We have a video!
Video thumbnail
We'd love to show you our campaign video. Want to take a look?
, you're already on the team.