New Heart Gives Bridgewater Father Of 3 New Lease On Life After Transplant

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — It was on May 26 when Patrick Armstrong and his family's lives would change forever. The day the 42-year-old suffered a massive heart attack.

Now after a five-month hospital stay and a successful heart transplant, Armstrong is home, recovering, and thankful for the community support through GoFundMe and other means.

"It definitely is more than good, it's great to be home, especially with my wife and kids," said Armstrong to Patch. "The community fundraiser is helping. It is great to know we have support from multiple communities. It is a great feeling."

Armstong's wife Nancy said doctors and nurses described his recovery as a "miracle."

After Armstrong's heart attack, Nancy said his future looked grim. Armstrong's skin color was grey, and he was on two heart machines that were pumping his heart for him.

• Related: Bridgewater Father Of 3 Awaits Transplant After Suffering Heart Attack

Then while on his way to the operating room, his lungs collapsed.

"I had to hold on so much to God... His lungs became the priority more than his heart," said Nancy.

He was placed on a ventilator to breathe for him and transferred to Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.

"He was basically on life support," said Nancy. "We just kept praying knowing God is in control."

With his lungs collapsed Patrick was not only now in need of a heart transplant but possibly a lung transplant as well.

Luckily, Patrick's lungs improved after three weeks.

"It was such a relief but we were still looking at a heart transplant. They started [on Sept. 11] at 10:30 p.m. and didn’t finish until 4 a.m. the next day," said Patrick.

Prior to the transplant, Nancy and doctors were worried that even if Patrick survived it was unclear how he would be post-surgery leaving everyone holding their breath.

Patrick was wheeled out of the operation room and so heavily medicated that he has no memory of the following two to three days.

"It was like a rewind from when he was first admitted. He was not able to eat or speak again. It took us back to the beginning," said Nancy.

Patrick kept improving eventually being transferred from the Intensive Care Unit to the intensive rehab floor on Sept. 29. He underwent therapy to improve his speech and swallowing exercises every day.

He was eventually discharged on Oct. 11.

"I am very thankful for all the prayers and support through the GoFundMe and everyone who helped us to be here… the support carried us through this," said Nancy.

"It is like building a house. You are only as strong as the support. Thank God we have a lot of support from complete strangers to family members... Thank God we weren't on our own," said Patrick.

"For him to come out and be where he is right now. Doctors said, 'We have witnessed a miracle'," said Nancy.

Patrick is making strides in his recovery as he can now walk for a full hour at the Bridgewater Commons mall.

Nancy and Patrick specifically wanted to thank the community from church members for bringing over food, to neighbors babysitting, to the medical staff - they are eternally grateful.

"I hope they know how much it meant to us," said Nancy.

"Anyone who just asked the question, 'What can we do for you?' That in itself is a wonderful question to be asked," said Patrick.

The family is going to continue to push forward as Patrick works on his recovery but more help is needed. Patrick is still unable to return to work and he has a long road ahead medically.

A GoFundMe set up for the family is collecting donations to help with medical bills, household bills and other expenses. For more information or to donate visit gofundme.com/f/patricks-heart-transplant-journey.

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