Event:
Sunday, May 19th
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Team: | Coach: | Company: | Raised: | Join Team Link |
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Name: | Company: | Raised: | Donation Link |
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We Walk to Save Lives!
Company | Amount |
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MEMIC |
$711 |
We Walk to Save Lives!
My father was 55 when he passed away from heart disease, so when my husband Ken turned the same age, I began researching additional life insurance options. Little did we know that the events that followed would have a profound impact on our lives.
It all started on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Ken woke me up at the crack of dawn, complaining of pain in his shoulder, left arm, and back. Fearing the worst, I rushed to get him to the hospital. However, by the time we were ready to leave, miraculously, he seemed better. We decided to visit our primary care physician instead. They took his vitals, including his blood pressure, which was reading extremely high and ran several tests before concluding it was likely just pinched nerves in his neck causing the pain in his arm and hand and sent us home with a recommendation for an MRI. Little did we know, this was just the beginning of a much bigger journey.
Meanwhile, our dealings with the insurance company took an unexpected turn. They weren't satisfied with Ken's last check-up and requested more tests. In January 2022, we got the results, and one stood out—a concerning elevation in a heart-related marker called NT-PROBNP, which is a substance that is produced in response to strain on the hearts’ muscle tissue. High levels may be associated with heart failure, heart muscle enlargement, abnormal heart rhythms or kidney failure. Ken's level was off the charts, prompting urgent action.
Within hours of contacting our doctor, Ken was back in the clinic, undergoing more tests. The doctor's grim assessment sent us reeling—Ken's heart was in trouble. Rushed consultations with cardiologists followed, but with the pandemic causing delays, each passing day felt like an eternity for Ken, our son Benjamin and me. Three weeks is a long time when you think your husband could die at any moment. I remember watching his chest rise and fall nightly and touching him to see if he was still breathing if he was sleeping too soundly.
Finally, in late February 2022, an echocardiogram confirmed our worst fears—clogged arteries, indicative of a recent cardiac event. The situation was dire; Ken's heart was significantly compromised. Despite attempts with a stent, open heart surgery became the only option.
Bypass surgery was scheduled for mid-March. Shortly before the surgery, when Ken was already under anesthesia, the surgeon canceled the surgery to conduct another test after learning that Ken had a family history of blood clotting disorders. I still recall the confusion Ken had when he woke up to discover that he had no incisions and wasn’t in pain. The rollercoaster of emotions continued as we navigated through setbacks and uncertainties.
A few days later, on St. Patrick’s Day 2022, Ken finally had the surgery. Seeing him after was completely overwhelming. He was incubated and had more tubes and machines connected to him than I could have ever seen. He was in extreme back pain and could not talk or move. It was heartbreaking for me, and Ken was in excruciating pain.
We then received the news that the surgery wasn’t completely successful and that due to the damage from his heart attack, part of his heart is permanently damaged and would never recover.
Ken spent a week in the hospital, battling excruciating pain and slow recovery. Eventually he was walking in our house, and then ventured outside, downstairs and to the end of our street. It was a gigantic accomplishment.
In May 2022, just two months post-surgery, Ken defied the odds by completing the American Heart Association Heart Walk. His determination and resilience were recognized the following year with an award for his incredible lifestyle changes.
Though the life insurance policy was denied, the true victory was having Ken by my side, alive and thriving. His commitment to recovery, from weight loss to a healthier lifestyle, serves as a daily reminder of the miracle he embodies.
As we prepare for this year's Heart Walk, I reflect on the journey we've been through and the immense gratitude I feel for every precious day with my husband, my true miracle. I would be honored to be joined by my Team MEMIC family on that walk around Back Bay and help be part of our celebration of life and resilience.
Participant Name | Event Name | Amount |
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Christine Tucker | 2024 Maine Heart Walk | $279 |
Ken Tucker | 2024 Maine Heart Walk | $100 |
Jack Yao | 2024 Maine Heart Walk | $100 |
Orley Dossiema | 2024 Maine Heart Walk | $55 |
Russell Sawyer | 2024 Maine Heart Walk | $51 |
Christine Collomy | 2024 Maine Heart Walk | $50 |
Jessica Benson | 2024 Maine Heart Walk | $25 |
Todd Parker | 2024 Maine Heart Walk | $25 |
Laura Casparius | 2024 Maine Heart Walk | $25 |
Holly Nicoll | 2024 Maine Heart Walk | $0 |