MobilityWorks
Accessibility for all: Helping people connect with who and what matters most
Searching...
No results found. Please try modifying your search.
Terri is a 32 year old woman who is striving to live a normal life. Her journey started when she was 12 years old going to many doctors and going through several tests trying to reach a diagnosis. The doctors at that time decided she had Mini-Core disease. However, with advances in medical technology, we were told this year that she has Titin’s disease and that she will need a heart transplant.
Titin’s disease was identified around 2014 and it affects the skeletal muscles and sometimes the heart and the lungs. Terri’s disease has progressed to include her heart causing cardiomyopathy. Terri strives to work every day but there are days that can be tough. She has been lucky to have understanding employers who try to accommodate her; however, her heart is getting weaker and the only way to fix the problem is with a new one.
She went through the Heart Transplant Evaluation in 2016, but was rejected due to being too well after several tests. In the last year, Terri’s CHF has worsened. She had a PVC ablation in January 2019. During the ablation the surgeon discovered that a lot of her PVCs were caused due to scar tissue developed from having CHF. Terri’s pacemaker was updated to a defibrillator during the procedure to prevent any dangerous heart rates. After having complications from the ablation and physicians realizing how her CHF has progressed, the Heart Transplant Team have started their evaluation again to determine which part of the list Terri should be placed on.
A new heart would not only allow Terri to return to work, which she loves, but to have a much more normal life. She has a degree in Health Information Management, a dog named Lady, and a Bearded Dragon named Shredder. Terri’s dad, I, and other family members are committed to support her through this transplant.
Transplants are lifesaving, but they can drain you financially. Even with insurance, Terri is facing very high expenses including relocating for three months to Nashville, TN to be closer to Vanderbilt University Hospital, post-transplant medications of up to $1,500 a month for the rest of her life, co-pays, lab fees and more.
We, as a family have always been there for Terri; however this financial challenge is more than we can handle alone. So, I ask for you to help with the financial burden of Terri’s uninsured transplant related expenses. A fundraising campaign in her honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law, are held by Help Hope Live in the South-Atlantic Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a contribution.
Thank you for your prayers, support and generosity.
Gratefully,
Teresa Surratt, Terri’s Mom
Great News!! Terri has her new heart and so far it is working!!
I had my right heart cath completed yesterday. They placed the swan cath, which got me bumped up on the list to a status 3. Doctor let us know that the wait time for someone at status 3 and A+ blood type is probably about a week or so, not for sure but that’s a reasonable time frame.
Heart Cath numbers were better than the Heart Cath from 2/15.
The plan for today is get more fluid off.
Unfortunately I have been admitted to Vanderbilt for the 3rd time this year. I had blood work Thursday. My BUN is badly elevated. The BUN tells you how your kidneys are working. Mine are overworking. Good news is my creatinine level is normal so I’m not in kidney failure. Potassium level is also normal. I still have a lot of fluid.
They had a right heart cath planned for the 27th. At which time they said there would be a likely chance they’ll keep me and move me up on the transplant list. This has just caused that to happen a week early.
It looks like I’ll be calling Nashville home until after recovery. I’m suppose to have a heart cath today. They tried yesterday but because of a slight complication it couldn’t be completed. I’m doing fine.
The increased dosage of my diuretic has been working to remove the extra fluid I’m holding onto. This is good news for me because I really did not want to be admitted to the hospital again.
I had my first Heart Transplant hospital follow up appointment. It went fairly well. My current issue is the same as why I was previously admitted, excessive fluid retention. So far I have delayed being readmitted (YAH). Tomorrow I have to increase my dosage on my serious diuretic. We are hoping for a positive response with it. If I do not see any response from this then Friday I’ll return to Vanderbilt to be admitted for more IV drip therapy. Cross your fingers...say some prayers...and hope that the medication reduces the amount of fluid I’m currently holding on to.
Hey everyone! Just a small update.
I saw my PCP today for a hospital follow up. She had labs drawn so hopefully my numbers come back good still. Her concern is for my potassium level. The diuretics that I take can deplete my potassium, which can have major side effects. I’m slowly getting better so I’m confident my potassium level is fine or only a little low.
My Heart Transplant coordinator has sent in a referral for me to start cardiac rehab. I’m looking forward to getting back into a gym. It will start in a few weeks so I still have plenty of time to recuperate from my recent hospital visits.
I heard from Vanderbilt Heart Transplant Team today. I will be added to the list. This is definitely good news, but it is still scary. The coordinator said that because of my blood type A I could potentially receive a new heart in a few months.
In the meantime, hopefully, I can start Cardiac Rehab so that I can work on my muscle strength and weight. Dieting is challenging, but I’m determined to lose this weight.
Hello Everyone! I'm back being evaluated by the Heart Transplant Team. I've had 2 hospital stays since January. I was hospitalized for a week each time. Being in the hospital has improved my kidney function & got a lot of fluid off to help stabilize my CHF, but my leg & arm muscles have suffered some. I'm currently out of the hospital. My daily goals include watching my salt/fluid intake & work on getting my muscle strength/endurance better. It's currently a waiting game, but I should hear back from the Heart Transplant Team tomorrow (2/27).
I have received wonderful news from the transplant team. After my test results last week, they have determined that I am too well to be listed on the Heart Transplant list for now. I will be referred back to the CHF clinic at Vanderbilt to be monitored. The weight loss has definitely helped. I'm going to keep on losing so that I can postpone being added as long as I can.
Thanks everyone!!
I went for my check up with the Heart Transplant Clinic and Neurology Clinic today. The heart transplant group is going to continue to follow me. As of right now, they have not made the official decision to add me to the list. There are still factors that they are trying to determine. Hopefully the visit with the neurologist will give the heart doctors insight into my congenital myopathy. The neurologist does not see a reason that my titin congenital myopathy would hinder me with receiving a new heart. The heart transplant will meet and discuss my case in the next 2 weeks. The cardiologist still feels that as long as my health status remains stable then I should be able to postpone the urgency for the transplant. That is definitely a plus. Another plus for me is I have lost 28 lbs. I definitely feel better lately since watching my salt intake more closely.
I had my follow up with the Transplant Clinic at Vanderbilt today. It went well. The Transplant Clinic doctors still want to find more information regarding my Titin myopathy and figuring out how my muscle disease may progress in the future. The doctors are also still trying to figure out which causes my fatigue first my heart failure or my muscle weakness. It is a little difficult for me to distinguish between the two sometimes. The doctor I saw today is going to make a few calls to other neurologists that I have seen to try to get the information regarding my muscle disease. As of right now, I have an appointment in January with the neurologists at Vanderbilt. I don't have to follow up for 3 months with the Transplant Clinic.
Please check me out on Facebook. www.facebook.com
Hello everyone! I had a follow up appointment with the transplant clinic at Vanderbilt today. I feel that the appointment went well. As of right now, it is a waiting game. They are trying to follow up with neurologists to get their view on how my muscle disease may progress in the future. The earliest Vandy can get me an appointment with the neurologist group is January. The transplant clinic is going to try to follow up with my current local neurologist so I will probably get an update of that in a month when I return. On the plus side of my appointment today there is not an urgency to be placed on the heart transplant list. I am feeling well, exercising, and losing weight. I strive to continue this to push off the possibility of a transplant as long as I can. I still need to prepare myself for the day that it will be a necessity so any donation that you are able to provide I will greatly appreciate! ~Terri C~
I am in the beginning process of being evaluated to be placed on the heart transplant list. I have a congenital myopathy along with my cardiac issues. My congenital myopathy comes from the Titin mutation that I was born with. The Titin mutation causes both my heart issues and my skeletal issues. My physicians' are currently evaluating how my congenital myopathy will be affected by the heart transplant. Once they gather enough information I will most likely be added to the transplant list. I have been told numerous times in the last 5 years that I may one day need a new heart. I just did not think it would come possibly this soon.
Loading Images
May your new heart bring you a long healthy life full of wonderful things!
Rita McCaslin
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. May God bless you and your family.
Kay Patterson
Terri, you are in our prayers. Love, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Phil
Sandy Hill
You’re in my prayers.
Cristan Pollan
Terri, you are amazing and strong... so many people are sending you and the family love and prayers. All the best to you, Teresa (belated Happy Birthday wishes) and Tony.
Love, Julie Reese
Julie Reese
Wishing you much success with your health issues.
Benny King
Never doubt what God can do!
Camille Wiencek
Stay strong and stay on your path you are a true warrior
Alvin Ryan
Terri I wish I could give more! I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I know it's been years since we've seen each other but I have always considered you a dear and wonderful friend!!
Jamie Williams
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Terri Surratt
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.
Subscribe to this campaign to receive updates.
Accessibility for all: Helping people connect with who and what matters most
Building leading-edge mobility products
One of the largest mobility dealers in the U.S.
Consult with specially-trained pharmacists, get your medications for pickup or delivery and more
All news, and all that matters to you
Your first step to optimized communications
The event for the disability community
Born to connect, empower and inspire the rare disease community.
A mobility dealer for wheelchair accessible vehicles and adaptive equipment