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He received a call on Sunday, February 12, and was pretty nervous, went into the hospital, and was fortunate that on the first opportunity, he got his new heart. There was a BIG Angel granting him his Second Chance to live. Thank you so so much my Amazing Donor.
Family and friends of L. Eduardo Smith are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.
Eduardo has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
——————-Espanol——————————————————————
Eduardo es un receptor de trasplante de corazón. Tiene 62 años y se ve afectado por accidentes cerebrovasculares desde 2008. Antes cuando Eduardo estaba en México, se esperaba cinco meses para el equipamiento necesario para poner dos stents en sus arterias del corazón.
Este fue un gran evento y una experiencia que le cambió la vida y lo hizo mirar a su naturaleza espiritual. Luego, en 2016, tuvo otros eventos cardíacos menores, y fue hasta febrero de 2017 que tuvo otro accidente cerebrovascular importante que requirió la colocación de otros tres stents en las arterias posteriores del corazón. El período de los meses siguientes después de este procedimiento fue muy difícil para Eduardo, no podía respirar, apenas podía caminar y, por supuesto, no podía trabajar. Su principal objetivo era llegar a la boda de su hijo mayor, lo cual hizo. Entró en Urgencias y aquí los médicos descubrieron que sus pulmones estaban llenos de agua debido a una débil afección cardíaca (fibrosis auricular). En este período, sólo podía dormir una o dos horas por noche. Cuando en estuvo en el hospital, fue drenado 17 libras de líquidos de su cuerpo en un día. Su fracción de eyección había bajado del 45% a alrededor del 35% en un corto período de tiempo. Y en un mes que la fracción de eyección había pasado al 25%, fue cuando su cardiólogo decidió enviarlo al equipo de trasplantes del sistema de salud UCSD en San Diego.
Leopoldo tenía todo tipo de exámenes de laboratorio, tomografías computarizadas, ultrasonidos, entrevistas, CAT de corazón derecho al menos una vez al mes. Fue admitido en la lista de espera de trasplante de corazón en marzo de 2019. Estaba teniendo todo tipo de exámenes y análisis con el fin de mantener una excelente supervisión sobre su condición. Resulta que su fracción de eyección llegó a casi el 20%.
Todavía estaba sin ingresos, y principalmente sus hijos y algunos amigos lo ayudaron a él y a su esposa Patricia a obtener algunos ingresos periódicos.
Recibió una llamada el domingo 12 de febrero, y estaba bastante nervioso, entró en el hospital, y tuvo la suerte de que en la primera oportunidad, obtuvo su nuevo corazón. Había un gran ángel que le concedió su segunda oportunidad de vivir. Muchas gracias mi increíble donante.
Familiares y amigos de L. Eduardo Smith están recaudando dinero para la organización sin fines de lucro Help Hope Live para financiar gastos médicos no asegurados asociados con el trasplante.
Eduardo ha elegido recaudar fondos para Help Hope Live en parte porque Help Hope Live asegura la responsabilidad fiscal de los fondos recaudados y la deducibilidad de impuestos para los contribuyentes. Los colaboradores pueden estar seguros de que las donaciones se utilizarán para pagar o reembolsar gastos médicos y relacionados. Para hacer una donación deducible de impuestos a esta campaña de recaudación de fondos, haga clic en el botón Dar.
Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto con Help Hope Live al 800.642.8399.
Gracias por su apoyo!
Today I just want to thank you. Thanks, everyone who is helping and contributing from anonymity. Really every dollar is a marvelous blessing.. Love you with all my new heart. God bless you.. and we bless you..
HOY SOLO DESEO DARTE LAS GRACIAS. GRACIAS A TODOS LOS QUE NOS ESTAN AYUDNDO Y CONTRIBUYENDO DESDE EL ANONIMATO. DE VERDAD CADA DOLAR ES UNA NEORME BENDICION. LOS AMOS CON TODO MI NUEVO CORAZON. QUE DIOS LES BENDIGA. NOSOTROS LES BENDECIMOS
6 MONTHS!!! THANKS...To GOD, to you who has been with me by my side, to you who has supported me, your calls are a treasure to me, your visits are truly immense love showings, your financial support is like a great debt of love. To you DONOR, there are no words to thank you, we are ONE now. To my Angel who takes care of my day by day. To my brothers, sisters and mother. My friends/brothers who have been incredible in every way. To our sons and daughters who, now I know why GOD has lent them to us. . To all those anonymous souls who have been my saviors. To the army of light who have been with me every moment. To the Master. To my incredible doctors, nurses, technicians, lab staff, front desk people, all the medical team who has been so loving and professional. To LIFE for showing me how beautiful is having you, to Death also, because I accept you as part of me. To sickness, because without you I couldn't appreciate like this the real meaning of HEALTH, of the big-little daily acts that I couldn't fully appreciate. To PAIN I've gone through because, in my beautiful moments, I value what is not to have it. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.. ❤ ❤ ❤
6 MESES!!! GRACIAS... A DIos, a ti que has estado a mi lado, a ti que me has apoyado.. tus llamadas son un tesoro para mi, tus visitas son las muestras de amor inmensas, tu apoyo economico como una gran deuda de amor. A ti donador no hay palabras suficientes para agradecer, somos uno ahora. A mi Angel que me cuida a diario.. A mis herman@s-amig@s que han sido increibles en todos los sentidos. A nuestr@s hij@s que nos han sido prestados y ahora veo por que. A mis hermanos y mi madre...A todos aquellos anonimos que sin buscar nada han sido mis salvadores.. A ese ejercito de luz que maravillosamente ha estado en todo momento. Al Maestro. Mis increibles doctores, enfermer@s, tecnicos, laboratoristas, recepcionistas, todo el equipo medico que han sido tan amoroso y profesional. A la vida por mostrarme lo hermoso que es tenerte, a la Muerte porque tambien te acepto como parte de mi. A la enfermedad, porque sin ti no sabria apreciar de esta manera lo que es el valor de la Salud, de los pequenos inmensos actos diarios que no sabia valorar. Por los dolores que he pasado, porque en los momentos maravillosos valoro lo que es no tenerlos... GRACIAS, GRACIAS, GRACIAS ❤ ❤ ❤
FIVE MONTHS, CINCO MESES!!!! WOOWWWW... there are no words that can express what is going on in my life. Everyday there is a blessing, every moment is this feeling of gratirude and blessings that makes it easier to go on. My new heart is doing very well, my main "battle" is dealing with the medications side effects. I have been having really painful cramps through the night wich makes it very hard to sleep, migraines and headeches, anxiety and trembling all over my body; my memory is terrible, and I have to admit it affects my EGO, sometimes I feel so ashamed to forget everything or say some words instead of the ones I meant to say, in a matter of seconds forget what I am about to do... BUT I know this is also going to pass, I am very sure this GIFT I was given is bringin more good thing than the ones I am talking about. And even I know these are some trials to better apreciate my MIRACLE.... And now I can see and feel the importance and weight of all the HELP everyone of you is providing. Your support, your love and help is part of the fuel which moves me. THANK YOU, THANK YOU... I am so GRATEFUL. and I send you all my most lovinngly BLESSINGS, may GOD be with you every moment of your days and let them be filled with love and happiness.
GRATITUDE, GRATITUDE. GRATITUDE.. that is the feeling, the emotion, the place where I am at. I feel so thankful for everything going on in my life, I have the GREAT AND MIGHTY ONE in me, I have you, my Incredible Wife, sons daughters and now, ONE of the biggest gift a human can receive: a GRANDAUGHTER!!! It's amazing how just took me one day, in giving up, in letting go, yes it sounds crazy, but that's what it took and takes. Just letting go and releasing everything to GOD. First, he gave me along with my donor a NEW HEART, then together with you, he provided financial support, food, and now a beautiful place to live close to the ocean. And some cherry on the cake, my beautiful package of hean on earth, my Minerva, my first granddaughter/ grandson.
Now it's the new heart that keeps me and makes me go on. So now, I am taking my part of work and responsibility, I bought a bike for me and my wife and started little by little riding them, doing exercise while having fun and strengthening my heart and my body to help take some load of my doctors.
EVERYONE THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO EACH ONE OF YOU
TRADUCCION A POST 5 Mayo
Gracias, gracias, muchas gracias.
Entiendo que nosotros como sociedad estamos atravesando una experiencia nunca antes vista. Y a traves de esta experiencia, aprendemos como enfrentar estos nevos tiempos. Quiero reconocer a aquellos que han hecho el esfuerzo y nos han ayudado con sus donaciones. Los ultimos $300 dolares fueron una ayuda taaaaaan especial, nos dieron lo que nos faltaba para pagar nuestra renta!
Gracias, muchas gracias y por favor si estas en posicion de ayudar, agradecemos toda ayuda que podamos recibir. Que Dios les bendiga y ayude a cada uno de ustedes
Thank you, thank you so much.
I understand that We as a society are going through an experience as never before. And through these experiences, we are learning how to cope with these new times.
I want to acknowledge those who have made the effort and help us with your donations. The last $300 dollars were soooo helpful, they provided us with the gap we needed to pay our rent.
Thank you thank you, and please if you are in the position to help, we appreciate all the help we can get. May God help each one of you
TRADUCCION A ESPANOL DE ACTUALIZACION ANTERIOR
TRANSLATION TO SPANISH FROM LAST UPDATE
2da OPORTUNIDAD DE VIDA
Hola a todos, soy Patricia HartSmith, esposa de Leopoldo Eduardo Smith, y hoy deseo compartir con ustedes el milagro de la Segunda Oportunidad de VIDA que hoy vivimos.
Eduardo recibió un nuevo corazón en Enero 14 de este año y desde entonces, cada día ha sido un bello día lleno de regalo, amor y gozo y muchas sorpresas llenando su y mi Corazón, lo que nos mantiene en un completo estado de paz interna y gratitud.
Si te parece bien, te compartiré un poco acerca de porque estamos en esta gran situación, apoyados por la Fundación Help Hope Live, porque no siempre tuvimos esta felicidad en nuestras vidas.
Hace tres años, en Febrero 12, 2017 Eduardo tuvo un ataque al corazón que se lo daño tremendamente, y por dos años vivimos entre salas de emergencia, médicos y muy pocas esperanzas de mejoría. Hace un año, tuvimos la oportunidad de ser referidos por nuestro cardiólogo Dr. Pandhi al Centro Cardio Vascular Sulpizio de UCSD con un increíble equipo de especialistas en trasplante de Corazón. Eso nos dio esperanzas, el solo saber que había una posibilidad para Eduardo de ser incluido en la lista de espera de trasplante de corazón. Pero nos mencionaron que debíamos estar conscientes de que su Corazón solo funcionaba al 20% y debido a que su altura es de 1.95m.
Fue un poco difícil encontrar al donador adecuado para él, podía llevarnos hasta tres años o más. Para mí, fue muy difícil especialmente porque nos casamos solo hace cinco años, dándonos una segunda oportunidad de llenar de nuevo nuestros corazones de amor. Así que decidí vivir cada día como si fuese el último, disfrutando cada día y cada momento de su vulnerable vida.
Y el milagro se inició en Enero 12 del 2020, solo 10 meses desde que se registró en la lista de espera de trasplante de corazón. Cuando los doctores le llamaron a mi esposo urgentemente y dijeron que tenían a un posible d donador y que necesitaba ir inmediatamente al Hospital Sulpizio, “corrimos” para estar ahí lo antes posible. Después de 26 horas de nuestra llegada, empezaron con el procedimiento de cirugía de trasplante que les tomo siete horas. Durante esas horas, sus hijos y esposas y yo estábamos experimentando un pequeño pedazo de milagro: sentíamos una tremenda paz en la cual sabíamos que todo estaba bien. Cuando terminaron, nos dijeron que la cirugía fue un éxito total!!
Los siguientes 11 días en el hospital fueron tan bendecidos con enfermeras, doctores, familia y amigos, rodeándonos todo el tiempo con tanto amor y regalos que nunca sentimos temor o angustia, nos sentimos sostenidos todo el tiempo con amor. Repentinamente cuando Eduardo era dado de alta dado que estaba aceptando el nuevo Corazón muy bien, teníamos las sorpresiva noticia de que era imposible ir a casa debido a que tenía requerimientos, cuidados y alimentación especiales, sin animales o niños (enfermos) a su alrededor, sin polvo, ni patógenos, ahora los enemigos eran los virus, hongos y bacterias. Además de que necesita estar cerca del hospital por cualquier emergencia o situación especial y para asegurarnos de que cumple con sus citas a laboratorios, doctores y de otros tipos, semana a semana.
De nuevo, y aun cuando estábamos muy limitados de dinero, el milagro de la Segunda Oportunidad actuó y gracias a algunos amigos tuvimos la oportunidad de quedarnos en un hotel, durante las siguientes semanas continuamos recibiendo sorpresas, regalo de la familia y amigos para apoyar su recuperación y a mí como su cuidador primario.
Ahora la Fundación Help Hope Live nos brinda esta oportunidad de crear esta campaña para conseguir fondos y mantener el milagro vivo para la salud de Eduardo y por un año, ese es el tiempo que los médicos dicen que se requiere para determinar su estado, y ya sea continuar con los mismos cuidados especiales o que su cuerpo acepte completamente el nuevo corazón, entonces determinaran los pasos a seguir.
En el mejor de los casos, el estará listo para poder regresar a trabajar y continuar con una vida normal con nuevas esperanzas y sueños.
Así que por ahora, es su momento de ser parte del milagro de vida de esta Segunda Oportunidad, al ser parte de este bello regalo de vida y amor para Eduardo y para mí. Gracias a ti y a la Fundación Help Hope Live, continuaremos compartiendo nuestro amor e historias contigo. Desde mi corazón al tuyo, bendiciones infinitas.
Como resultado de la bendición del Trasplante de Corazón, estamos llevando a cabo esta Campana de Recaudación de Fondos para poder satisfacer los gastos y necesidades del próximo año, en el cual no podremos trabajar y recibir ingresos. Agradezco y bendigo todo su amoroso apoyo. Por favor ve al siguiente enlace helphopelive.org y DONA (botón GIVE). GRAACIAS!
February 18th, 2020
2ND CHANCE LIFE
Hi everyone, I am Patricia Hart-Smith, Leopoldo Eduardo Smith’s wife, and today I want to share with you the miracle of the Second Chance LIFE we are living today.
Eduardo received a new heart on January 14th of this year and since then, everyday has been a beautiful day full of gifts, love and joy and many surprises filling his and my heart, which keeps us in a complete state of bliss and gratitude.
If it is ok for you, I will share a little bit about why we are in this great situation, supported by Help Hope Live Foundation, because we didn’t always have happiness in our life
Three years ago, on February 12th ,2017 Eduardo had a heart stroke that damaged his heart tremendously, and for two years we were living between emergency rooms, doctors and with little hope for improvement. One year ago, we had the opportunity to be referred by our Cardiologist Dr. Pandhi into the UCSD Sulpizio Cardio Vascular Center with an amazing heart transplant team. That gave us hope, just knowing there was a possibility for Eduardo to be included into the heart transplant waiting list. But they told us that we had to be aware that his heart was working around 20% and because of his height (6”4) or 1. 95m. It was a little difficult to find the right donor for him, it could take up to three years or more, and his heart could lose more efficiency. For me, it was quite difficult specially that we got married only five years ago, giving us a 2nd opportunity to fill again our hearts of love. So, I decided to live everyday as the last one, enjoying everyday and every moment of his vulnerable life.
And the miracle started on January 12, 2020, only 10 months since he was registered into the heart transplant waiting list. When the doctors called my husband urgently and said that they had a probable donor and he needed to go immediately to Sulpizio hospital, we ran to be there ASAP. After 26 hours from our arrival, they started the heart transplant surgery that took 7 hours, and during those hours his sons, their wives and me were experiencing a small piece of the miracle: we experienced a tremendous peace that everything was all right. When they finished, they told us that the surgery was a complete success!!
The next 11 days in the hospital were so blessed with nurses, doctors, family and friends, surrounding us all the time with so much love and gifts that we never felt fear or anguish, all the time we felt sustained with love.
Suddenly when Eduardo was discharged because he was accepting the new heart smoothly, we had the surprising news that it was impossible to go home because he needed special requirements, care and nutrition, no animals or children around, no dust, no pathogens, now the enemies are virus, fungus and bacteria, along with that he needs to stay near the hospital for any emergency or special situation and to make sure he complies with his lab, hospital, doctors’ and other appointments week to week.
Again, even though we were very short of funds, the miracle of the 2nd chance acts and thanks to some friends we had the opportunity to stay in a clean hotel in San Diego, during the following weeks we continued receiving surprises, gifts from family and friends to support his recovery and me as his first caregiver.
Now Help Love Live Foundation is giving us the opportunity to create this campaign to raise some funds to keep the miracle alive for Eduardo’s health and for one year, that is the time that doctors says is needed to determine his status and either continue with the same special cares or in case of his body fully accepting the new heart then they will also determine the next steps. Best case scenario he will be able to return to work and to continue with our normal life with new hopes and dreams again.
So for now, is your moment to be part of this Second Chance life miracle, being a part of this beautiful gift of life and love for Eduardo and myself. Thanks to you and the Foundation, we will continue sharing our love and story with you. From my heart to your heart, infinite blessings.
I am a heart transplant recipient. That is a strange thing to grasp, it sort of the things one normally reads about or sees on TV or a movie. But I really went through the process of a heart transplant.
I am so, so BLESSED, I am so THANKFUL, I wish I could have the person who gave me this gift of life in front of me and just hug him/her with every bit of my strength, of my GRATITUDE and LOVE. Even if it doesn’t seem this way, it’s easy to go through this process when I have the help, support, care and professionalism as the Doctors, nurses, therapists, and all the amazing staff at UCSD Health San Diego. The love of many members of my family, and luckily a huge response from so many friends from close and very distant places. I am really a LUCKY man.
I have received so many things, that I feel overwhelmed. I probably have to tell you that the sun is not always shining in my corner. Currently, my wife and I don’t have a place to call home, we are currently staying/living at a modest hotel. We are cooking what we can on microwave and eating out once a day in order to stretch the money some friends and family have provided. We don’t know how long we can stand and afford living and paying a hotel.
I have a very strong faith that things are going to change for the better pretty soon, and I am really sure GOD is putting everything and everybody required right in front of us. We feel very protected and provided.
And then, there’s you.. you beautiful people with a heart so BIG, that I know that just by being here speaks a lot about you. And that is something I want to thank right now from the bottom of this new heart. Whatever you can contribute I am very thankful for that, and I ask the Creator to multiply whatever sum you contribute back to you..
This is my first update exercise, and I hope it works OK for everyone. I am thinking of posting the same in Spanish (or maybe some Spanglish!?).
Thank you so much
Eduardo
Loading Images
Just thinking of you!
Marla Grassi
I encourage all friends and family of Eduardo and Patricia to support them as they take this next part of their healing journey together. It is an honor to contribute and I know their hearts, minds and spirits are full of faith that they will live a full life together--with our help. Much love to you both, your friend always, Deborah L-G
Deborah Loesch-Griffin
Cuídenles a sus mismos
Sarah Stewart
Happy to help!!
Marla Grassi
Patricia and Eduardo!
You are two of my most beautiful and treasured friends. The love you have taught and shown to me has bonded us forever. I will work to share your story and pray still for you, the donor and family, and your future.
Much much love,
Marla
Marla Grassi
LOVE YOUR FAMILY AND WORK HARD FOR THEM !!!
Alexander Smith
Queridos Eduardo y Paty, estamos agradecidos a Dios de esta milagrosa oportunidad. Estamos aquí para apoyarlos en el camino a la recuperación total. Les mandamos un fuerte abrazo. Los queremos mucho.
Ceci Florentino y familia.
Cecilia Florentino
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Leopoldo Eduardo Smith
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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