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In May of 2020, Darci experienced a cardiac arrest while hiking with her family and friends. She was diagnosed with ACM, Arrythmogenic Cardiomyopathy, a genetic condition that affects both of the lower chambers of her heart (the ventricles). An internal pacemaker/defibrillator were placed at that time. Darci has been followed regularly by cardiology teams in Bend, OR and at the Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease in Palo Alto, CA.
Things had been fairly stable until Darci started experiencing evolving symptoms throughout the winter and spring of 2024. In mid-June, further testing was completed by her team at Stanford, who determined that her disease has progressed to heart failure. She needs a heart transplant. Darci is currently hospitalized at Stanford Hospital until she receives a transplant. This has been a very scary and unexpected change of plans from her very active life as a wife, mom, sister, friend and NICU nurse.
Darci loves spending time with her family, hiking, walking, yoga and barre3. She has been married to Kelly Meyer since August 2000 and they have two dearly-loved children, Keegan–19 and Molly–17. Darci has worked as a nurse in the NICU at St. Charles since 2003. Earlier in her career, she worked in pediatrics and as a diabetes educator at Emmanuel Children’s Hospital (now Randall Children’s Hospital). She also worked as a school nurse at North Marion School District.
Family and friends of Darci are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund medical expenses associated with her transplantation.
Darci 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.
We are so grateful for your support!
Belated Update: We had our first in-person follow-up at Stanford since we came home in September on 10/21. I was able to go hiking without a mask & it was SO GREAT!!! (I'll still be wearing them indoors). My rejection labs were good so I was able to wean my prednisone dose further. My white & red blood cells are low, which is not uncommon. At this point we will continue to monitor. We continue to adjust medications to keep med levels in goal range. I started cardiac rehab a few weeks ago--it's very reassuring to increase the intensity level and know that I am being monitored. And the staff are all so amazing! I/we are SO GRATEFUL for all of your love, support & encouragement through our journey!
Hello! This is a much belated thank you! I am so deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support that we have received during the whirlwind of the past few months. I have felt carried by your love during some of the roughest moments—it helped more than I can ever express with words. I know that Kelly, Keegan & Molly feel the same. We were able to return home last Friday after my visit with the transplant team on Thursday. I’ll continue to have monthly follow-ups at Stanford monthly until 6 months, then every 2 months until 1 year and then every 3 months during year 2. If at any time I start having trouble or experience rejection then I may visit sooner and/or be admitted for hospitalization. I’m doing my best to cherish the amazing grace of life. Sending out the BIGGEST hugs to all of you!!! You are forever in our hearts. Alll My Love, Darci
Yesterday we walked 5.8 miles total. We are living in some apartments across from the hospital that Stanford helps you get into for out of town patients during recovery. We are on the third floor and today she climbed all three flights of stairs without stopping and we did 5 1/2 miles. It’s so great to see her improving almost every day.
Good news!! We are just over 3 weeks post transplant. Her second biopsy came back 0 rejection!! We are up to 5 miles a day walking, everyday we seem to gain more. Starting to get a little stir crazy her at the apartment but that’s well worth not having any complications.
She keeps getting better every day! We walked almost 3 miles yesterday and did 3 miles today.
Yesterday was a full day, we went on three walks , over 2 1/4 miles total. I colored her hair (yes I am opening a salon when we get back) she cut my hair and best of all Darci’s cousin Martin and his wife Karen from down here brought us an amazing home cooked meal. All that led to a very tired day today but we still got just over a mile walk in!!
Yesterday she went for a car ride to the store. First time out in the car for over 5 weeks. She waits in the car while I grab stuff. She still has quite a bit of pain in her upper chest and left shoulder. Still just treating it with Tylenol and ice. This morning we walked over to the hospital and did some blood work, afterwards we took a longer route back and is very tired and taking a nap.
Well till next time everyone have a great day!!!
Yesterday we had biopsy and bloodwork, today we got the results of mild rejection. We will adjust medication and retest next week. We went for 2 walks today a total of 59 minutes!!! Not fast walking but every step counts!
Monday we moved into our Stanford hospital apartments. Tuesday was a little rough, We did walk from hospital to apartment which felt good! Getting settled and being free was a lot to take in, definitely tiring. She had a good night sleep Tuesday night and felt great Wednesday. We had a friend stop by and drop off some things. It was so wonderful seeing a friend after being away from everyone for over 6 weeks. This morning we walked over to the hospital to do labs and our first follow-up appointment. Today they will put a catheter in her neck and do a biopsy of the heart to check for rejection. THANK YOU for all the love and support. We feel truly blessed
Well we were able to go down to the third floor garden by ourselves tonight! That felt so good and freeing for her. They are still adjusting the meds, trying to fine tune everything before we can get discharged hopefully Monday.
Top of the morning to you all. Today is even better, she slept good and woke up feeling good. Every day she gets better and better, of course she has some downs but over all every day is a new day. The Doctors came around again this morning they just say you are doing great and there is not much for them to do other than be happy for how well she is doing. Still having some draining out of the last chest tube but are hoping to pull it tomorrow. AS of now they are thinking of discharge on Mon or Tuesday. There is more water retention so they are upping the diuretic to shed off that swelling.
Today is a good day, She is feeling good which makes her antsy and wants to do stuff. she still has the chest tube in, they hope to pull it tomorrow. After the tube is pulled out she will be free to roam around. YAY!!!
Day 4 , She walked down the hall for the first time last night, she was trying to walk off some anxiety. Today she walked down the hall and got the swanganz lead out of her neck. We are currently waiting to move out of ICU.
Day 3, She had a little more sleep last night, getting better. One chest tube was removed today and she is down to one IV med, that should be weaned off today. One of the Dr’s was just in and are very pleased with how fast she is recovering. All the exercises and strengthening before the transplant has really payed off. We might be able to move out of ICU tomorrow
So today is 24 hrs after her new heart. She is loving her ice chips
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Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Darci Ann Meyer
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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