The community is rallying support for a Vernon arborist who recently suffered a medical emergency.
Ray Preikschas suffered a life threatening Type A aortic dissection in mid December, according to a GoFundMe campaign that was launched Friday, Jan. 12.
“His aorta ruptured from his heart all the way down into his left leg,” the online fundraiser reads.
Preikschas was rushed to Kelowna General Hospital by ambulance for immediate surgery, where doctors successfully performed six hours of open heart surgery to save his life and a vascular bypass to save his leg.
Preikschas spent the following 12 days in the intensive care unit with his family at his side.
An aortic dissection is a serious condition that involves a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, the body’s main artery located in the heart. Blood rushes through the tear, causing layers of the aorta to split.
It is possible he will need another surgery to repair his aorta in his abdominal area, which is still torn through its first two layers, according to the GoFundMe.
Preikschas is the owner of The Fall Guy Tree Service and Landscape, working in the community since 2007.
“He is now thankfully recovering back at home, however, he has quite a long, slow road ahead of him before he can go back to work,” the GoFundMe reads.
Preikschas’s doctors estimate he will need at least six to 12 months of recovery.
The fundraiser aims to help cover Preikschas’s monthly expenses and cost of living while he heals.
“Ray is very thankful for any help this go fund me may provide and eternally grateful to vascular surgeon Dr. Gary Yang and cardiac surgeon Dr. Jia Lin Soon, for saving his life.”
The GoFundMe has raised $5,845, four days after it was launched.
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