{"references":{"updates":[{"id":38449777,"author":"Deryk Drummond","user_profile_url":"","author_type":"BENEFICIARY","status":1,"text":"Recently had a nice 10 day stay in the hospital which started as some unusual pain in my chest. Some of these things are normal in my condition this one however was not. \n\nI was in the ER and they were doing all of the usual work ups. When the blood tests didn’t prove anything out really, I asked for a CT scan , because that’s what my heart team would have done from the beginning, anyway, they did it and wishing 30 mins I was in surgery for a blockage in my  left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) or WIDOW MAKER! \n\nThey avoided placing a stint and did a “clean out” because the plaque buildup was at 72% and if stinted it changes my status as a heart transplant patient. \n\nI was then transported to my heart team where i stayed an additional 8 days for treatment, monitoring etc. Two catheterizations later, and multiple medicine changes I was finally discharged and remain on the path for a heart. \n\nGod willing that’ll come sooner than later! \n\nGod bless!","photos":[{"id":278516159,"filename":"","fund_id":75227803,"ext":"","url":"https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/75227803_1778498764305574_r.jpg","photo_type":2,"caption":null,"created_at":"2026-05-11T06:26:12.000-05:00","scaled":{"4x3-1200":"https://images.gofundme.com/jK2VnGWGH-4lYPL2_qz-v7_QpEQ=/1200x900/https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/75227803_1778498764305574_r.jpg","3x2-1200":"https://images.gofundme.com/LbANFhbvj1vpT21eyxFE1C_ypWY=/1200x800/https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/75227803_1778498764305574_r.jpg","16x9-720":"https://images.gofundme.com/uN2C3yRWbkE1KcmaIxPgskBZ-tQ=/720x405/https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/75227803_1778498764305574_r.jpg","3x2-720":"https://images.gofundme.com/OyCY7vef0yQIgl2ZczHcX2cjZgs=/720x480/https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/75227803_1778498764305574_r.jpg","3x2-640":"https://images.gofundme.com/CRguCYGFp46YAG2FEFqMo3PvLTg=/640x480/https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/75227803_1778498764305574_r.jpg","1x1-960":"https://images.gofundme.com/lQFamLRQ3ehAxDXRilZ235c8dnc=/960x960/https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/75227803_1778498764305574_r.jpg"},"mediaid":"","media_type":3}],"created_at":"2026-05-11T06:26:12.000-05:00","youtube_url":"","media_type":1},{"id":37945965,"author":"Deryk Drummond","user_profile_url":"","author_type":"BENEFICIARY","status":1,"text":"News is, new meds in place, Entresto (cost a fortune) and a few others. I will continue on meds along with a therapy regiment for the foreseeable future.\n\nAlong with device checks, catheterizations and maintenance, we will continue to wait and pray. \n\nGod bless.","photos":[],"created_at":"2026-02-16T20:04:10.000-06:00","youtube_url":"","media_type":1},{"id":37317715,"author":"Deryk Drummond","user_profile_url":"","author_type":"BENEFICIARY","status":1,"text":"Now under a new heart team. First meeting went well Monday. They all seem very nice and more than capable of continuing my care until a heart is available. \n\nI will undergo a 3 day active catheterization on the 18th so they can determine what amount of activity my heart can actually take on now. That should be a blast (uggh).\n\nI’m sure after this there will be a a new series of pills etc to keep me going. As well as my defibrillator check, to assure the battery is still up to snuff when it needs to kick me back in rhythm.\n\nThe road from here will likely trend downward leading to walking IVs etc. But this is the path and we have to stay positive and focused.\n\nThanks to all. More soon.","photos":[],"created_at":"2025-11-07T14:33:45.000-06:00","youtube_url":"","media_type":1},{"id":36984799,"author":"Deryk Drummond","user_profile_url":"","author_type":"BENEFICIARY","status":1,"text":"The latest news on my journey continues with constant monitoring. It’s a series of catheterizations (view my heart and its ejection fraction) mine sits at 14ish percent which is extremely low.\n\nI am more short of breath now than ever before but I kinda have learned to deal with it. I have no other option anyway. \n\nI’ll continue my pill regimen each day until I eventually will need full time IVs etc. Many more doctors visits and hospital stays in my future so that’s where I stand for now. \n\nThanks for everything!","photos":[],"created_at":"2025-09-11T18:12:02.000-05:00","youtube_url":"","media_type":1},{"id":36413087,"author":"Deryk Drummond","user_profile_url":"","author_type":"BENEFICIARY","status":1,"text":"It’s been a while since an update. Many appointments have come and gone. I’ve had multiple hospital stays as my heart deteriorates. Currently going through fluid build up stages where my heart can t keep up necessarily with moving the fluid along. That causes a lot of fatigue, exhaustion, shortness of breath etc. \n\nAt this stage I continue to be monitored closely with my defibrillator implant which transmits signals to my team about my heart function as well as shocking it if in fact it weakens to a stop at any point.\n\nWaiting on a heart is a long journey that hopefully will culminate into a new ticker, god willing, and a new lease on life. \n\nI’ll continue under my heartbreaks care with the addition and subtraction of medications that will aid in keeping me alive until a new (to me) heart presents itself!\n\nGod is great-","photos":[],"created_at":"2025-06-05T05:01:15.000-05:00","youtube_url":"","media_type":1},{"id":34163291,"author":"Deryk Drummond","user_profile_url":"","author_type":"BENEFICIARY","status":1,"text":"So, last weeks appointment with my electrophysiologist, Dr. Cyrus Hadadi, went well. We went over a defibrillator option which I will have implanted 3/29 in case the ol ticker stops while waiting for a heart. It’s not great news, while i know how weak my heart is I wasnt necessarily ready for this step, albeit necessary. I will continue to wait and pray that I’ll be blessed with a heart.","photos":[],"created_at":"2024-03-20T09:06:13.000-05:00","youtube_url":"","media_type":1},{"id":34019715,"author":"Deryk Drummond","user_profile_url":"","author_type":"BENEFICIARY","status":1,"text":"Officially placed on the Transplant list as of 2/3/24. With more appointments and preparation for the transplant we continue to pray for the best care that can be received. After a hiccup a couple of weeks ago, and more catheterizations, we continue to look to the future for the blessing of a heart. \n\nOver the next few weeks there will be multiple visits preparing for this transplant WHEN it happens. We have fully accepted the diagnosis and appreciate the love and prayers.","photos":[],"created_at":"2024-02-22T08:59:19.000-06:00","youtube_url":"","media_type":1},{"id":33404579,"author":"Melissa Liggins","user_profile_url":"","author_type":"ORGANIZER","status":1,"text":"Everyone say a little prayer for Deryk today as he undergoes another heart catheterization. The nerves are real today as we've waited for this for awhile now and have had it rescheduled so many times it seems. Today's procedure will determine if the medication he's on is working at all. From there it will determine if he needs to be on a full time IV, whether or not they will need to try for the LVAD now, or if he will just go onto the transplant list. Fingers crossed that Deryk's procedure goes well with a speedy recovery, we get some solid answers, and that we get a more concrete plan for here on out.","photos":[],"created_at":"2023-10-11T06:46:23.000-05:00","youtube_url":"","media_type":1}]},"meta":{"last_updated_at":"2026-06-08T20:25:14.522397-05:00","has_next":false}}