Madison man with rare heart disease wants transplant

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – If you’re constantly battling your health, it can be difficult to raise a family or start a career.

A 26-year-old Madison man with a rare heart disease is looking for a transplant.

Darcy Lawhon was born with his heart on the right side of his body, and doctors diagnosed him with dextrocardia. He has undergone seven open heart surgeries and has been seeking a transplant since 2012.

“We’re so thankful he’s still here,” said his mother, Anjanetta Bolden.

Lawhon underwent his first open heart surgery when he was just one day old. His mother says the condition has changed their lives forever.

“It was really hard to see a happy baby smiling and laughing with her butt open due to open heart surgery,” Bolden said.

After Lawhon’s seventh open-heart surgery, Bolden was transferred to the hospital where she and other children were cared for for six months.

“His liver, kidneys and brain stopped working. He was on dialysis,” she said. “He was paralyzed on the right side of his body and was in a coma for two months.”

Doctors say his condition is extremely rare.

“Such conditions are even more rare, occurring in about 2 to 7 cases per 100,000 people, considering it’s around 0.02%,” said Sampoulnima Setti, an interventional cardiologist at St. Agnes Hospital. Ta.

Lawhon is currently recovering from a brain infection and has a third pacemaker fitted.

“A lot of people don’t come in with my symptoms,” Lawhon said. “They’ll check it, they’ll look at it, they’ll fire me because they don’t want anything to happen to me when I’m in their facility.”

Wisconsin is the fourth state he has moved to to receive proper treatment.

“I’m 26 years old. I’m trying to live my life. I’m trying to raise my daughter. I’m trying to start my career,” Lawhon said.

“It’s just too much.” His mother is holding on to her belief while searching for a heart donor.

“We’re just praying and asking God to continue to bless us. Send us another miracle, because that’s what he is, a miracle,” Bolden said.

Mr Lawhon says: new heart It will help him physically and mentally.

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