Waiting months for a life-saving double organ transplant has been a stressful process for the Barton family.
But the financial burden has taken its toll as well.
Steven Barton, who grew up in Merlin, was born with a congenital heart defect and has been shocking specialists for years by beating the odds.
“He was actually given a year [to live] when he was born and he’s 37. He’s had multiple open-heart surgeries, multiple pacemakers, he’s been to Boston a couple of times for surgeries,” said Kellie Barton, Steven’s mother. “He’s a fighter, for sure.”
Steven’s resolve is currently being put to the test as he awaits a high-risk heart and liver transplant at the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto.
A team of doctors and surgeons at UHN has been consulting with experts at the University of California, Los Angeles as they prepare to perform the transplant, which will serve as a teaching model for many transplants in the future.
“It’s very complex and very high risk. The heart transplant would be high risk on its own, but heart and liver [surgery] is even more complex,” said Kellie. “There are no guarantees and we are quite concerned but we try to just deal with it day by day and navigate our way through.”
Over the last 80-plus days in hospital, Steven has undergone several procedures to prepare him for the surgery and is now on the transplant list, awaiting his new organs.
During this time, Steven’s mother and father have been commuting weekly from their home in St. Thomas to the hospital in Toronto to be with their son as he awaits the much-needed surgery.
“When you have family that needs you, you’ve got to step up and be there for them. He needs the emotional support from us at this time more than ever,” said Kellie, who added that she has also been bringing home-cooked meals. “We try to keep him fed and bring his dog to visit, which is critically important for his mental health.”
However, the expenses incurred over the last several months due to travel and housing in Toronto have already cost the family thousands of dollars and will it will likely continue to accumulate as they await Steven’s surgery. Steven will also have to remain in the hospital for several months after the procedure as he recovers.
“We have extra challenges… like gas which is at record high prices,” said Kellie. “Toronto is quite expensive and parking is ridiculous. It all adds up pretty quickly.”
As a result, extended family members have created an online GoFundMe page in an effort to raise money that will be used to help offset any financial strain. So far, the campaign has raised just over $8,000.
Kellie said she has been overwhelmed with the generosity.
“We’re very grateful, beyond words. Even if it doesn’t get any higher, it’s more than appreciated because it’s just such a tough time and it helps to alleviate some of the stress from the situation we’re in,” she said.
To view the GoFundMe page, click here.