Stress Echo Test

Levi had a stress echo test this week which verified that his heart is under performing and does not show any signs of improvement. So, they are getting him on the transplant list. They'll be performing a heart cath within the next couple of weeks along with implanting a defibrillator as they don't feel it is safe for him to continue without a defibrillator for much longer.  They've tweaked his medications some more, too. The heart cath will most likely give us a clearer idea of what the time frame is for transplant and probably determine whether or not they want to keep Levi in ICU while waiting for a heart.

American Heart Association

I've been unable to find any information about the AHA helping individual heart patients.  Does anyone have any information?

Prayers needed for Levi!

In November, Levi began struggling to breathe because of fluid around his lungs.  His doctors determined that his heart was failing due to rejection.  They took action to reverse the rejection and he felt much better and was able to visit family for the holidays.

So far in 2019 Levi has had a few hospital stays due to heart failure symptoms.  These symptoms are due to restricted blood flow to and from his heart.  The doctors have put him on new meds and adjusted others.  His heart is somewhat stabilized but still considered to be in failure. 

At this point he is doing okay and trying to do things as normally as possible since he's not technically on the list for another transplant yet. We should know more within the next couple months.

Please join us in praying for healing for his heart, wisdom for the doctors, and financial support.

From Patient to Strongman

Before his heart transplant, Levi would get winded climbing a flight of stairs.  But look at him now!

This is him this past weekend competing in the Houston Strongest Man and Woman Competition!  Can you believe it?  I never would have dreamed this!

Navigators at The University of Texas at San Antonio

Levi and Jessica have moved to San Antonio to begin their college mission work with Navigators on the campus of University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA).  They have been unable to raise full support so are currently looking for part-time jobs to supplement their income.  This also means that they do not have health insurance at this time.  Levi's medications are extremely expensive so please pray for them!!

They are very excited to be at UTSA fulfilling what God has called them to do.  They are working with several student leaders, teaching and encouraging them in their own fulfillment of God's plans. 

Levi's band just released a new album titled A House Not Built With Hands. It tells the story of Levi's heart transplant and if you like post-rock music you will love this!  You can get it on itunes or bandcamp.  The profits from this album are being donated to Levi to help with medical expenses .... so buy two!!

It has been 3 years and 3 months since Levi's heart transplant.  What a journey it has been!

Levi recently had his regular checkup and all 25 tests performed came back normal.  Praise the Lord!

And a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us through prayers, uplifting words and finances!!

Levi has enjoyed being able to lift weights since his transplant.  He hopes to compete in a Strongman Competition in the near future.  He currently squats 250 lbs, deadlifts 315 lbs, benches 190 lbs and can log press 135 lbs.

Levi is still on six medications (and will be for the rest of his life).  The price of these medications is over $2000 per month and we are not sure what Levi's share will be with their new health insurance through Navigators.  Also, so far in 2016, Levi's hospital has billed $60,000 for his care.  After insurance adjustments and payments he is left owing $7,000.

It seems that the pacemaker was the answer to the black outs Levi was having.  That has not happened since having the pacemaker inserted.

In fact, Levi got the go-ahead from the doctor to begin lifting weights.  He enjoys it and has reached some amazing goals that he set for himself.

Pacemaker

Levi continued to have blackouts even after the seemingly successful ablation and medication changes back in December.  The most recent blackout happened while he was at work back in March. He went to the emergency room and the doctors downloaded the heart rhythm records from the monitor that was implanted back in December and found that Levi's heart was pausing at times, the longest time frame being 8 seconds.  They believe this is what caused the blackouts and that a pacemaker was needed to keep that from happening.  

A pacemaker is a device placed in the chest that uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate.  They can:

• Speed up a slow heart rhythm.
• Help control an abnormal or fast heart rhythm.
• Make sure the ventricles contract normally if the atria are quivering instead of beating with a normal rhythm.
• Coordinate electrical signaling between the upper and lower chambers of the heart.
• Coordinate electrical signaling between the ventricles.
• Prevent dangerous arrhythmias.

Pacemakers can also monitor and record the heart's electrical activity and rhythm. Therefore, Levi's monitor was no longer needed and was removed.  

Levi was not allowed to drive or lift for a month after having the pacemaker inserted. He feels well and has not had any blackouts.