Our family is asking for help for my husband Brock, who has faced more medical challenges in his 35 years than most people could ever imagine.
Born with Half a Heart
Brock was born with a serious congenital heart condition called Tricuspid Atresia. This is a complex heart defect where one of the main valves inside the heart is missing. Instead of an open door for blood to flow through, there is just a solid wall. Essentially, he was born with half a heart. By the time he was 3 years old, he underwent five major open-heart surgeries to "re-route the plumbing" so his body could get oxygen. During one of those operations, he suffered a stroke that left him with only about 20% use of his left arm. At the time, him and his parents were told he would only live to be about 16 years old. Thankfully, he has made it almost 20 years past what they predicted!
A Lifetime of Compounding Conditions
As Brock reached his mid-to-late 20s, the complications from his lifelong heart condition began affecting his liver as well. He has since had to undergo additional liver procedures and continues to deal with the effects of his heart condition. He was told that there will come a time in his life where he will need a heart and liver transplant.
The Toll on His Right Arm
For the past three years, Brock has also lived in agonizing right shoulder pain. Because his right arm has to do everything, it is completely worn out. He has tried cortisone shots, physical therapy, and everything in between just to push through the pain. Now at 35, the strain and damage became severe enough that he needed surgery on his right shoulder. The world sees the brave face he puts on outside the house. But as his wife, I see the truth. I see the tears, the sleepless nights, and the moments he asks "why?"
The Road to Mayo Clinic
We thought relief was coming on August 31st, but his local surgery was canceled at the last minute. His low heart rate, high blood pressure, and complex heart condition meant local anesthesia couldn't safely clear him. After a lot of frustration and tears, Mayo Clinic stepped in. They told us that because his condition is so complex, he must have the surgery in Rochester, MN, where a full team of specialists are ready if anything goes wrong.
Surgery and Current Complications
He underwent surgery on September 16, 2026. While the shoulder surgery itself went well, the post-op recovery has been very difficult. He was in recovery for about 6 hours, and doctors then had to hospitalize him due to dangerously low oxygen levels. Nerves have been incredibly high for both of us.
Why We Are Asking for Your Help
This surgery means Brock has completely lost his independence for at least six weeks. On top of being out of work, he needs 24/7 care for the simplest daily tasks. Because I am the only person he feels comfortable helping him, I am taking significant time away from work, resulting in a heavy loss of income for our family.
We dislike asking for help, but we know that many loved ones want to support us and just don't know how. While NDAD has wonderfully helped us with travel expenses for past checkups, this surgery is a much heavier financial burden. We are reaching out because we truly need financial assistance to help cover our basic bills during this recovery period.
With Deepest Gratitude
We are so incredibly thankful to God for His blessings, and to our family who is helping care for Brock so I can occasionally work. Please continue to pray for Brock, myself, and our kids as we start this long, hard road toward healing. ❤️
