Help fund Alex's brain surgery
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On August 2, 2014, my nephew Alex was rushed to the hospital after he fell into a pool, hit his head on the way down, and experienced a seizure while under the water. While this situation was incredibly scary for both Alex and his parents (Laura and Tyler), it turned out to be a silver lining: the CT scan they did at the hospital showed that Alex had syringomyelia (fluid filled cavities) within his spinal cord. Ten days from the seizure, and just a few days before his 7th birthday, Alex was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation Type 1. (More information on this prognosis may be found here: Chiari Malformation Information.) He will be undergoing brain surgery on September 10th at Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
The silver lining to him having had a seizure underwater lies in the fact that this very well could not have been discovered for years... this type of condition does not have very obvious symptoms, but progresses quietly under the surface. Some levels of Chiari Malformation Type 1 can be controlled by medication. However, Alex's condition has progressed far enough that he needs to have surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain and allow the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding his brain to flow normally.
There isn't much that can be done to relieve the anxiety that Alex's parents are feeling about their 7 year old son undergoing brain surgery. However, another source of anxiety that is very real CAN be helped, and I'm asking for your help today.
The bills associated with this kind of surgery are very high, even with help from insurance. Tyler and Laura applied to have Alex covered by PeachCare in Georgia, but were denied. At this point, they have been told that the surgery will cost around $45,000. With their insurance, they will be responsible for 20% of the cost: approximately $9,000. However, this figure doesn't cover any of the costs of copays to the specialists they've needed to see (averaging about $60 per visit, with several visits) or the costs of driving 2 hours to Atlanta for any of the doctors visits or hospital stays. My brother, Tyler, works very hard at a carpet mill in Calhoun, Georgia, but his job doesn't afford extra money. Every penny he earns goes to paying bills and feeding his family, with extremely little extra to spare, let alone save.
Please help me relieve the financial burden that Tyler and Laura are about to experience. If you have any room to help contribute to what is almost an insurmountable financial burden that they're facing, please consider doing so. It could be as little as $10 or as much as you could spare. Anything you contribute will help buy them gas, food, or just a little peace of mind that the medical bill isn't going to be as scary as the thought of their child undergoing brain surgery.
My family and I thank you in advance for any financial and prayerful contribution you may be able to give. Thank you for taking the time to read about Alex and his condition.
Be well and safe,
Jamie B.
The silver lining to him having had a seizure underwater lies in the fact that this very well could not have been discovered for years... this type of condition does not have very obvious symptoms, but progresses quietly under the surface. Some levels of Chiari Malformation Type 1 can be controlled by medication. However, Alex's condition has progressed far enough that he needs to have surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain and allow the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding his brain to flow normally.
There isn't much that can be done to relieve the anxiety that Alex's parents are feeling about their 7 year old son undergoing brain surgery. However, another source of anxiety that is very real CAN be helped, and I'm asking for your help today.
The bills associated with this kind of surgery are very high, even with help from insurance. Tyler and Laura applied to have Alex covered by PeachCare in Georgia, but were denied. At this point, they have been told that the surgery will cost around $45,000. With their insurance, they will be responsible for 20% of the cost: approximately $9,000. However, this figure doesn't cover any of the costs of copays to the specialists they've needed to see (averaging about $60 per visit, with several visits) or the costs of driving 2 hours to Atlanta for any of the doctors visits or hospital stays. My brother, Tyler, works very hard at a carpet mill in Calhoun, Georgia, but his job doesn't afford extra money. Every penny he earns goes to paying bills and feeding his family, with extremely little extra to spare, let alone save.
Please help me relieve the financial burden that Tyler and Laura are about to experience. If you have any room to help contribute to what is almost an insurmountable financial burden that they're facing, please consider doing so. It could be as little as $10 or as much as you could spare. Anything you contribute will help buy them gas, food, or just a little peace of mind that the medical bill isn't going to be as scary as the thought of their child undergoing brain surgery.
My family and I thank you in advance for any financial and prayerful contribution you may be able to give. Thank you for taking the time to read about Alex and his condition.
Be well and safe,
Jamie B.
Organizer
Jam Barto
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
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