About Coach Chuck
Coach
Chuck has had great progress in the past few months. Chuck received
his new heart on December 10, 2008 and was released from the hospital
on New Years Eve. He is doing well and has not experienced any set
backs.
Because of his long stay in the hospital and the transplant surgery, he has exhausted all his medical insurance. Even though, support has been made available from family, friends, the Woodstock Jaycees, the Knights of Columbus and many community members, help is still needed with ongoing medical expenses. Chuck is not eligibly for Medicare; he does have Medicaid but there is a large out-of-pocket expense before the coverage kicks in each month.
Coach Chuck and his family are grateful for all the help and support received thus far and are extremely humbled by the ongoing support. They are looking forward to the upcoming fun fair and the continuing raffle ticket sales to help with his expenses. Everyone’s generosity is very much appreciated by Coach Chuck and his family.
Coach Chuck has lived in McHenry County all of his life, specifically Woodstock for the last ten years. During this time, he has been involved with many community activities. He has coached youth football for St. Mary’s, Coached Baseball and Softball for the Woodstock Park District, and worked as the Intramurals Coordinator for McHenry County College's Athletics Department.Coach Chuck battled health issues since 1994, when he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and poor blood circulation due to a hereditary disease called Muscular Dystrophy. After this diagnosis, he was able to lead a somewhat normal life, until December 2005 when he required an internal heart defibrillator. Between April 2007 and May 2008, this defibrillator unit shocked him five times. Shortly after the 4th episode with the unit, Chuck suddenly required a trip to the emergency room that would later transgress into a 72 day stay in the hospital that started on June 1st 2008.
While hospitalized, one of the tests observing his heart function also revealed a small cancerous mass on his left kidney. On June 25th, the cancerous kidney was removed. All the while, Chuck’s heart function was being maintained by a heart assist device called a balloon pump. After many other tests and a long recovery Chuck underwent another surgical procedure, in which doctors installed a left ventricle assistive devise or LVAT for short. This device helps pump an adequate amount of blood throughout his body, and allows him to be at home until the transplant. On August 11, 2008, Chuck was finally discharged home cancer free and anxiously awaiting the heart transplant.
As of Friday, October 10, 2008, Chuck has received the GREAT news that he is cancer free! His physician will be discussing at their next physicians' meeting moving Chuck up on the transplant list.
As of Wednesday, November 19, 2008, Chuck has been moved to the A1 status list. This means that if a heart becomes available in the next 30 days, Chuck will receive it.
On Wednesday, December 10, 2008, GREAT NEWS! Chuck has received his new heart!
Chuck is doing well and is expected to come home in 1-3 weeks!