ADRIAN - On the morning of Sept. 27, Sheena Eidhammer woke up feeling strange. From there, things got much worse.
She was transported to the Worthington emergency room, then flown to Sioux Falls, S.D. for a heart catheterization, but the operation was unsuccessful - and her heart stopped.
Sioux Falls surgeons took her to the operating room, where they successfully bypassed her blocked artery. She was then flown to the University of Minnesota for further treatment.
Eidhammer underwent another surgery Oct. 6 when doctors installed a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). The surgical implant helps pump blood through the heart, and generally restores heart function prior to a transplant.
Eidhammer was wide awake Oct. 10 and was discharged from rehab Nov. 6. She’s currently living in an apartment at the University of Minnesota campus, where she gets frequent visits from husband Ryan and kids Raylan, Ruxin and Ryker, as well as other relatives.
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She suffered a spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Doctors are unsure of whether she will need to undergo a heart transplant - it’s possible her heart will recover to a point in which it won’t be needed.
Regardless, the medical costs are, of course, exorbitant, so relatives of the Eidhammers have organized various fundraisers.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised $5,815 on 66 donations to date. Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/4ie6yi0 .
This Sunday, a pancake feed, silent auction and bake sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Adrian Elementary School, with proceeds going to the Eidhammers.
More than 130 sponsors from the tri-state area have donated items. Pancakes will be cooked and served by the Adrian Fire Department and Ambulance. Free will donations will be accepted on the day of the event, and can be sent to Adrian State Bank.
