My name is Amanda, and Amy and Martin are very near and dear to my heart. I wanted to put this together on their behalf because I know they’ll both need love and support in the weeks ahead. Thank you for helping lighten their load during this season. 🫶🏽 Last week, what began as chest pain became a life-threatening medical emergency. Martin suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the cardiac unit. Testing revealed severe blockages in all of his major coronary arteries, and later Doctors discovered an aortic aneurysm. On Sunday, Martin underwent emergency open-heart surgery, including a quadruple bypass and repair of his aorta. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and Martin is now beginning what will be a long recovery.❤️🩹 Many of you have asked how you can help. While Amy and Martin are incredibly grateful, they are also the kind of people who will likely say, “We’re okay.” The reality is that recovery from open-heart surgery is a marathon, NOT a sprint. Although support often pours in during the first few days, the weeks that follow are when help is often needed the most. Doctors expect Martin’s recovery to take at least 12 weeks. During that time, Amy will be balancing caregiving, working, managing their life and this very unexpected time , while helping Martin heal. (oh and if you know Amy, she will 100% be putting her skills to work, with making sure only the most healthiest lifestyle possible is started for Martin.) This page has been created to coordinate practical support in the weeks ahead. Whether you can provide a funding for groceries, spend a few hours keeping Martin company so Amy can rest or run errands, help with a grocery or pharmacy trip, or simply send a gift card, every act of kindness makes a meaningful difference. Amy can use this page for updates, and as their upcoming week unfolds I will add what their needs are. Thank you for helping carry some of the load so Amy and Martin can focus on what matters most, healing and recovery
While a home-cooked meal is such a thoughtful way to support, the family has several food allergies and dietary restrictions. With Martin beginning a heart-healthy lifestyle following surgery, they will also be navigating a new way of eating as part of his recovery. Because of this, grocery gift cards will likely be more helpful than prepared meals. During this time, Martin will be unable to work, and I’d love to help ease some of the day-to-day burden so he can focus on healing and so Amy feels supported. If we can take a few things off their plate, I know it would mean a great deal. Their preferred grocery store is Sprouts, but they also regularly shop at Publix, Whole Foods, and Detwiler’s Farm Market.