April 2002

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It all started in September 2000 when Katie, who is 9 years old now, began to complain her "heart hurt". When the pain moved to her abdomen her mother took her to the Doctor's and they did a echocardiogram. Katie was diagnosed with the life threatening condition called Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH).They placed a hole in her heart to release the pressure and she has to wear a backpack which dispenses medication to her body 24 hrs. a day. She needs a lung and possibly a heart transplant and is on the waiting list. Katie is able to go to school 1/2 day in a wheelchair. Katie's Dad had his right leg amputated in 1999 due to vascular problems he has, and while Katie was in Children's Hospital in St. Louis receiving treatments, her Dad was in the hospital having 7 surgeries in 2 weeks, trying to save his left leg. Unfortunately, they had to remove his left leg in December 2001.

So this family has had to endure the Father losing a leg in 1999, Katie being diagnosed with PPH in 2000, and the Father losing the other leg in 2001. How much can one family take is my question?! Mom is the hero here in my opinion, not only is she taking care of her husband and daughter, she works full time to support the family. We need to reach out to this family and show them the caring support only the ShareaCard Friends can give.

To those interested in helping out with the Fund for Katie's transplant:

Katie Hisey Fund
HFS Bank
PO Box 487
555 E. 3rd Street
Hobart, IN 46342

checks can be made out to "The Katie Hisey Fund"