12-20 Update on my GoFundMe request

Last edited Fri Dec 20, 2024, 07:06 PM - Edit history (3)

UPDATE 12-20
I was able to secure my first consultation for January 17th at ODark30 uhm I mean 830am at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis with Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Masood. That means I have to leave here at 630 to make sure I'm 15-30 mins early. I am on the cancelation list so fingers crossed, it could be sooner. I have been very pro-active, calling them only to find out that they didn't have the referral yet. Thankfully, a sweet nurse called from Mattoon Hospital to see if I'd heard anything. Long story short, they had wrong fax#.
The great news is that the referral got faxed, my appt got made, shaving at least 10 days off my waiting time due to upcoming holidays.
As to the GoFundMe request, You all have brought it up past the 50% mark to $2840.00 I'm still struggling to find adequate expressions of my gratitude as I've never experienced such kindness, generosity and love in my lifetime.
I can find no quote that memorializes what you all have done for me together than:

“Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being.” – Kevin Kruse

I want to thank you all again from the bottom of my heart for your collective action that has given my life renewed hope and purpose.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to each of you wonderful DUers who brighten so many days and lives around the world.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-john-mckusick-overcome-health-and-financial-struggles

I got bad news from my heart catheterization procedure today. They stopped the procedure early on when they found multiple blockages that will require either triple or quadruple bypass surgery. I will be having the surgery at Barnes Jewish hospital in St Louis sometime after the holidays. They are supposed to reach out to me shortly to meet with the surgeon.
I was hoping for better, but will find a way to cope. I'm really struggling to hold it together but you all have helped make it less of a burden with your help and support. I'm in the car on the way home so I'll post further.


Before I go into detail, I would like to express my undying gratitude for your amazing response to my plea for help. I've been moved to tears many times from the kindness, love and yes the financial donations so many of you have made and offered.
I have been affected to the core of my soul by your outreach, my life changing forever in a positive way as I never felt worthy of such unconditional love from anyone near me, much less strangers I'll likely never meet.
My Heart Catheterization is scheduled for 11am CST this morning and instead of fear, anxiety, worry and emotional paralysis of what might happen, you've given me a calm, relatively serene peace as I know my bills for the next couple of months will be covered.
Thus far, the GoFundMe has raised $2810.00 out of the $5500.00 goal.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-john-mckusick-overcome-health-and-financial-struggles

I owe a special debt of gratitude to Omaha Steve, XanaDUer2 for embracing me in my time of need.
I also want to thank Debm55, MustLoveBeagles, Spanone, Niyad, Jfz9580m, Liberella among others for keeping my request in front of everyone's eyes.
To each donor, I responded as quickly as possible through GFM directly and to all of you that sent the warmest wishes, I've never in my life felt so embraced and loved.
You've all impacted my self worth in ways I couldn't have thought possible a week ago. I grew up in foster homes and group homes for the majority of my childhood, have had abandonment issues my entire life and you all have given me the opportunity to genuinely believe that my life has intrinsic worth for the first time.
I have made reference several times to feeling like I've had my own It's A Wonderful Life experience and please be assured that that is no exaggeration.
In some ways, this journey is still in its infancy, but I feel like you all have carried me a thousand miles closer to where I need to be and for that, I will always be grateful.
Thank you so very much for all that you've done, and please know that your gifts in words and deed have impacted me far beyond your loving intent.

I will update with the results and (fingers crossed) of the catheterization and hopefully the treatment provided to remedy the blockages.
You have given me the power to face this moment with hope and courage rather than fear and trepidation.
For that gift and all the others, Thank You Thank you Thank you.
Love,
John Mckusick