June 29, 2021

Update 2021

It's been a year now since I received God's gift, a Heart transplant. A second heart, a second chance to live. This journey within 3 years of one open heart surgery to receive a heart pump (LVAD) to keep me alive while I wait for a donor and second open heart surgery to receive a new heart. Two major surgeries back to back with multiple doctor visits to check medication and for possible rejection leaving us to face thousands of dollars of medical and medicine bills the insurance will not cover has been hard physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.

On top of all that came COVID-19 which place med at high risk. I was able to go back to work but only on a part-time basis.

In August of last year we got a call about keeping my Dad (Grandpa) in our home. He came under hospice care after one month in a nursing home. We are happy to tell you God was in control of our lives. Dad was dismissed from Hospice care. He made a big turn around after only being given 3 months to life. Now, Dad is on a homecare service. He has done well with physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Again, God is in control of circumstances and journeys in our lives God doesn't owe us and explanation about anything. He is God. He never promised us we get the life we always wanted but he does promise to be with us no matter what happens.

We appreciate all your prayers and support. If you are able to Give, click the yellow Give button. Thank you so much! May God Bless you.

April 21, 2020

On March 6, 2020 God answered a much-needed prayer. He gave me a heart, a heart transplant! In October of 2018 I had heart failure as the left side of my heart enlarged and stopped pumping. Medication kept my heart going for a month as they waited for a donor. At the end of November, the doctors came to the decision to connect the LVAD Heart Pump to my heart allowing it to survive on its own until a heat donor was available.

Now, sixteen months later we received that call that we had been waiting for. The call was from the hospital telling us that they had a donor. It is hard to describe the feeling that came over my wife and me. In fact, it was a combination of emotions. We felt excited, nervous, overwhelmed, and prayerful as we packed our bags quickly and left to the hospital. Our prayers were answered, we pray for the family of the donor, and we are grateful for the many friends and family that have helped us make it this far.

The journey is far from over. I am now in the recovery stage with therapy and many hospital check-ups. After two open heart surgeries within two years, the financial strain has been overwhelming. We are doing our best to catch up on all the bills from the first surgery while we are now being flooded with the bills from the second surgery.

This has been a struggle for my wife and me, and any help, donations, and support would be much appreciated. We have joined a non-profit organization, Help Hope Live, who has helped and is continuing to help us raise funds to go towards the hospital bills and expenses. All the donations sent will be placed in an account and designated towards my name.

We would like to ask that you consider helping us in this matter as it is a tremendous burden. We count it a blessing to have the heart transplant behind us and look forward to the new normal and the future.

My wife and I would like to thank you for your thoughtfulness, generosity, support, and prayers.

We ask for special prayers for the family of the donor as they mourn the loss of their loved one.

Thank You For Caring,

Rene & Mary Zapata

Visit www.helphopelive.org/campaign/15025