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Sunday September 5, 2010

URGENT: Please help Philip Schnibbe get a critically needed heart transplant.

1/14/09 UPDATE

Due to the quick response and overwhelming show of support, the hospital did admit him on 1/5/09. They administered the IV Drip required to lower the heart & lung pressure -which it did. Because that medication was successful it is evident that it is not too late for a transplant to be effective. The urgency issue is abated; until the pressures can’t be controlled by medication. He does need a new heart. Especially if he ever wanted regain any of his old levels of activity or if he wants to return to work.

On 1/9/09 he volunteered to participate in a Clinical Research Study for a new technology. He underwent a surgery for an Implantable Homodynamic System with Single Chamber Cardioverter Defibrillator. The device has a battery pack, electrical circuitry, activity counter and 2 leads. It monitors heart rate, physical activity, internal temperature, and pressure into the heart, out of the heart and the differential pressures associated with the heart. The defibrillator lead has an insulated wire that carries electrical signals between the device and his heart. It will activate to shock his heart when the heart beat get to dangerous levels. Thereby reducing "sudden cardiac arrest". The pressure lead has an insulated wire which senses three different pressure levels inside the heart. Everyday he places an external hand held device over the area where the internal device is located and the data is transferred to the Research Team and his Cardiologist via the telephone line. The data is then recorded and if need be the team or Physician contact him to "tweak" his medications They assure us that as soon as the pressure sensor indicates a problem with the pressure that can't be corrected -he will be brought into the hospital to undergo immediate treatment and/or transplant. His condition is not likely to improve with this technology but it has bought him more time, and reduced the "urgent -by 1/18 or else scenario". He felt that as a case study, his participation will help many others. He so much appreciates what everyone has done for him (that is the only way he would have gotten admitted in the 1st place) -He knows that this is one way he can pay it forward. This technology is not yet approved but is designed to allow patients to stay at home during a heart health crisis. Instead of being admitted and held at the hospital at astronomical costs, instead of being away from the family during an incredibly stressful time, this device could save millions and keep many patients with their families.

Philip's story

Until recently, Philip was an active and healthy 53-year-old who lives in Williamsburg, Virginia. Last May, he had what is known as a "widow-maker" heart attack (so called because it is most often fatal). Such heart attacks are especially serious because they occur when there is 100% blockage to the left side of the heart. This is the kind of heart attack that recently killed television news anchor Tim Russert so precipitously. Although Philip miraculously survived his severe heart attack, his heart is not healing or responding to medicines and supplements. To compensate for the damaged heart muscle, his heart has enlarged to a point where it has lost its ability to pump enough oxygenated blood throughout his body. As a result, his lungs are being unduly stressed. He is in danger of having his liver and kidneys shut down because of the lack of oxygen. Philip has taken care of his health and he even purchased a special health insurance policy specifically to cover catastrophic medical needs. But his insurance policy now says it will only cover $25,000 of the approximately$500,000 needed for the heart transplant. The medical staff have agreed to go ahead with the transplant if he can demonstrate that he can cover the financial debt-they don't need for him to raise the full $500,000, just show a good effort toward that amount.

How is Philip doing now?

Philip is able to live at home and is as active as he can be under the circumstances. As long as nothing he does is too strenuous and his movements are even paced, he is okay. He can drive, shop, walk around, cook, and manage stairs. He does have to rest a lot and limit himself to doing one thing at a time.

What is his prognosis?

Philip is in constant danger of sudden cardiac arrest because of his severely damaged heart muscle. If he does not have a heart attack, then, without a heart transplant, the doctors guess that he will live anywhere from 1 to 7 months, depending on how quickly his otherwise healthy organs start shutting down due to compromised oxygen supply. In other words, he will most certainly die in the next few months without a heart transplant. If the pressure in the heart and lungs is not lowered soon, then the doctors say that there is nothing more that can be done for Philip. With a heart transplant, however, the doctors estimate that, because Philip is otherwise in excellent shape, he would live 20 years. But the doctors say that he needs to receive his transplant by January 18, 2009, so that his other organs will not shut down, thus compromising the ability of the heart transplant to be effective.

Who is Philip Schnibbe?

Philip has been the lead troubleshooter for a large manufacturer of computer room air conditioning, desiccant dehumidifiers, and other specialized air-conditioning units found in military equipment, space exploration systems, and major product manufacturers such as processed food plants, medical equipment, and electronic equipment. The equipment he worked on is also found in financial institutions, health care institutes, pharmaceuticals plants, telecommunication and internet host sites, government and educational institutes, and private and public corporations. In his work, he traveled extensively to work on equipment all over the world. Philip has played ice hockey since the age of four, when he started goal-tending. He played all through his youth and actually scrimmaged in games against the Washington Capitols. He has an avid love for travel and a zest for adventure that leads him to try new things. He has one daughter, Hayley Rose Schnibbe, 19, who is his only known blood relation, since Philip was adopted into his own family. In 2004, he helped plan his high school class reunion (Langley High School, McLean, VA), and during the process, reconnected with an old girlfriend, Susan, whom he had dated briefly in high school. They had also shared a 2nd grade class in elementary school. Looking through old journals, Philip found he had written all kinds of teenage romantic thoughts and notes about her at that time. By the time of the reunion, they had reconnected and fallen in love. Susan and he have been very active and have spent time adventuring, including so many bike rides that Williamsburg people recognize them as the "bike couple." Together they traveled to Iceland, Mexico, New York City, Las Vegas, Sonoma, AZ, San Francisco, and the Sierras. They are together today, Susan by his side, supporting him and being there for him in every way possible. Their wish is to marry and spend the rest of their lives together.

What a heart transplant can do.

"Heart transplantation has made great strides over the years. Today's heart transplant recipients live longer after surgery than those who received heart transplants just 10 years ago. Many transplant recipients return to work and many participate in moderately strenuous activities, such as walking, swimming, and even running. "Even considering that patients are in a life-threatening situation at the time of transplant, about 87 percent of those who receive heart transplants survive for more than one year, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Additionally, 73 percent live at least five years after the procedure. "A patient generally becomes eligible for a heart transplant when diagnosed as having end-stage heart disease, all other medical interventions have failed and the patient is stable enough to sustain a major surgery." Source:http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/heart-transplant-surgery.html In Philip's case, because he is otherwise so healthy, the doctors estimate that his life expectancy should be 20 years.

What is the cost of transplant?

The transplant is estimated to cost approximately $500,000. If there is a showing of people who are willing to donate on his behalf and he can demonstrate that he can fundraise for his medical expenses, then his heart transplant will be scheduled in the next few weeks, within the important window for his transplant to be successful. Even if you can only donate $10 or $25, please know that such a show of support will convince the medical team that Philip has the wherewithal to raise this money. He doesn't have to raise the whole amount in the next few weeks, but he needs to show that people care and are willing to help him raise the funds.

How do I donate?

Why donate to the National Transplant Assistance Fund?

Money donated to The National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF) on Philip's behalf will be specifically earmarked for his heart transplant, minus a 4% operating fee. Setting up his donation fund through the NTAF has the added benefit of providing assurance that Philip's case is a real medical emergency and not an internet scam. The Better Business Bureau WiseGiving Alliance has found that NTAF meets all 20 of the Alliance's Standards of Accountability. The standards were developed to promote ethical conduct by charitable organizations. (For more information, see http://www.transplantfund.org/Publications/article_detail.cfm?art_id=8) According to the NTAF guidelines, in the event Philip does not survive, monies donated to this fund will go toward his funeral expenses, and remaining funds will go toward the NTAF general fund, which helps other people in dire need of transplant. Finally, the NTAF is a tax-deductible 501(c)3 organization. So you can rest assured that your money will be put to critically life-saving use by helping this urgent cause.

Susan and Philip shortly after they fell in love, June 2004.

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