My Heart 2 Heart Journey

Product Description

Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Supporters

https://www.facebook.com/myheart2heartjourney

Jess and Shane are hosting a Trivia/Bingo Night @ Buderim Tavern on 19th January

Jess has received Raffle Prizes and Silent Auction donations. To ensure this event is successful in raising as much funds to assist us with keeping our forever home along with everyday expenses.

Email: [email protected] with any donation ideas.

BOOK tickets to TRIVIA here:

Eventbrite: Trivia & Bingo Night-Beneke Family Heart 2 Heart Fundraiser

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trivia-bingo-night-beneke-family-heart2heart-fundraiser-tickets-

Friday 19th January 6:00pm-9:00pm AEST

Buderim Tavern, Burnett St, Buderim

Update December 18th, 2023

Jess writes on Facebook:

“Up at 4am and got home at 3pm. Today wasn’t very pleasant with heart biopsy. (regular check at Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane for heart monitoring, seeing if the heart is being rejected by Jess’s body)

Dras had trouble fuinding my vein without hitting an artery. Procedure took a bit longer and very uncomfortable. Feeling exhausted. Waiting on test results.

The good news, few medications have reduced and I need to start being more active to build strength. Overall, drs very happy with my progress.

Background History

Since 1985- not long after I was born, I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (deficiency in the heart muscle to pump blood out of the heart and around the body). There has been a slow decline over the years and my physical abilities have dropped. I struggle to do the things I used to enjoy. During this time I have been a patient under the Prince Charles Hospital Heart Failure research team. They have been amazing with overseeing my life journey this far. Due to my heart condition I am unable to have children of myown.

Since I was in high school at 17 years of age I was diagnosed with Insulin Dependent Type 1 Diabetes. From 2 needles a day juggling blood sugar levels, what I ate, how active I was , what time I was eating etc. it became exhausting both mentally and physically. I eventually moved onto 4 needles a day where I could manage my blood glucose levels much better. Life has been and will continue to be a rollercoaster of emotions and physically long term fatigue but I am determined not to let this beat me.

My heart failure has been a slow decline over the years and I have reached my maximum dosage with all my heart medications and there is nothing more doctors can do. I am within arm’s reach of a heart transplant.

What is heart failure? https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/

Like any health journey it takes a considerable amount of physical, mental and emotional energy just living day to day never mind trying to work part time in aged care and build my own counselling private practie. My aim is to practice supporting children and families so I can eventually work from home. In the meantime and during my recovery process I plan to spend time building Enchanted Treehouse Counselling.

The lead up to the transplant

But before I get there I many need assistance with an LVAD which is a mechanical device that sits in the bottom chamber of the heart which takes the pressure off your lungs/ It’s both internal and external. I will be required to carry 2kg of battery weight to keep myself alive. The initial recovery time for this is 3 to 4 months of not working and 24 hour care some of which Shane will need to be close by. If all goes well, this is bridging a pathway towards Heart Transplant where I could be waiting anywhere up to 2 years for a matching donor. This will be a long heart aching journey that will require enormous strength, perseverance, and determination for both Shane and I for the next 4 to 5 years.

Shane and I are supporting each other

We have been together 9 years and we have been married 5 years. During this time my amazing understanding and supportive husband Shane has worked tirelessly to ensure we have what we need to survive.

The process could take 4 to 5 years. Please help us to keep our home that we have worked so hard to get. This is my safe space where I feel comfortable and where I spend most of my time.

Please join us on the journey and support this campaign on Chuffed. If you can please email, SMS or better tell supportive friends of our journey? We would be most grateful for the community support.

What we’ll do with the funds?

After the transplant

Shane will require at least 3-6 months off work and will incur many expenses with fuel, accommodation and everyday living expenses.

I have a range of friends and family supporting me and if you have creative ways to raise funding relevant to my situation please email [email protected]

It all started with the ‘Power of a Dream’

When all I wanted was to become a counsellor

I wanted to encouage and support peoples’s strength

I wanted to be able to give back to others.

Please help me become a Heart Transplant Warrior and make my dreams a reality to provide counselling to children and families.

Together we can make a difference. Hope is the key to success.

So, from my heart to yours….

If you would like to follow my journey please send me a message or email and I will add you to my closed facebook group.

My Heart 2 Heart

https://www.facebook.com/myheart2heartjourney

Glenda Campi

1 year ago

$50

Nan Cameron

1 year ago

$100

Krupa Shah

1 year ago

$50

Ross Harrison

1 year ago

$100

jessica liddell

1 year ago

$40

Carol Howard

1 year ago

$50

Martin Cowling

1 year ago

$78

Anonymous

1 year ago

$100

Anette and Bevin Wigan

1 year ago

$50

Shelley Mckeith

1 year ago

$100

Anonymous

1 year ago

$100

Virendrasinh Padhiyar

1 year ago

$100

Maulinkumar Patel

1 year ago

$20

Anonymous

1 year ago

$20

Anonymous

1 year ago

$5

Lia Daniels

1 year ago

$25

Anonymous

1 year ago

$10

Linda Robinson

1 year ago

$20

Vicky Tretheway

2 years ago

$100

Mark Bingham

2 years ago

$50

Astrid Elliman

Shane Beneke