Dan Myers' Medical Fund
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My name is Allen Myers, and I am trying to raise money for my youngest brother, Daniel Myers. He is 47 years old with a beautiful loving family including his wife Joan, son Nicholas, and daughter Jillian. The funds will be used to help offset the out-of-pocket expenses they will have including the high deductible with their health care plan, travel to and from Buffalo General Hospital, lodging and food while at the hospital, and loss of business revenue over the next several weeks. Dan and his wife Joan own The Secret Garden Flower Shop along with Prime Time DJ Service.....this is their livelihood. They will have very limited (if any) retail hours and will only be able to fill orders for committments they have already made (weddings, etc.). Their immediate and extended family will help as much as possible, but flower design and professional DJ Service is not something you can just go out and do without a lot of practice/experience.
I'll try to recap the last few days as best as I can.....
Day 1:
On Wednesday evening, March 9th, my brother Dan went down to Urgent Care for what appeared to be the flu. He was battling a fever with aches and pain while having some difficulty breathing....kind of what the flu does to everyone. Shortly after being assessed there, they took him by ambulance to WCA Hospital. He was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit. My wife Sheila is a Registured Nurse in the ICU there. She was working her normal 12 to 13 hour shift and sent me a text letting me know that Dan was admitted into the unit and that chest X-rays showed that he had pneumonia. She called me and said "Make sure you call your brother Dan tonight to check how he's doing". We missed each's others calls a few times, but finally we connected at 7:15 pm. I asked how he was doing, and he said "Not good Al, this really got me". I could tell he was struggling to catch his breath, but he proceded to ask how my family and I were doing. This is typical for Dan.....he could be in the worst shape ever, and he wants to know if there is anything he can do for you. I told him to get some rest and I would talk to him in the morning. Little did I know, this would be my last conversation with him.
Sheila came home around 8:00 pm and said that he was really sick. I'll admit I was a little nervous, but I was not ready for what was about to come. Around two hours later, the phone rang and I heard Sheila talking and then suddenly yelled out "Al, we have to get down the hospital now!" I changed my clothes quickly and raced out the door, jumped in the car, while Sheila was in the passenger seat talking to the doctor on her phone. I still wasn't sure what was going on, as I hadn't heard the conversation. As we approached the hospital.....I looked over at Sheila to see tears rolling down her cheeks. I knew it was time to pray.
We parked in the emergency lot and ran to the elevators. Sheila told me to call my mom and dad along with my brother Scott while she called my sister, Darlene. We connected with everyone and they were all on their way. My dad is a prayer warrior and was on his knees for the night.
Upon reaching the ICU, we (Sheila, Joan, and I) were greeted by the hospital Supervisor who informed us that he had aspirated and they needed to vent him and induce a coma. What Sheila hadn't told me was that my brother Dan had gone into respiratory failure and a team of doctors and nurses were working very hard to save his life. We were all so confused as to how things went so bad so fast. I think the hospital staff was in total disbelief also. I thank God that Dan was right where he needed to be when this happened. I'm convinced he wouldn't be with us today if he had been home or elsewhere. They were able to maintain life support and oxygen levels while performing the life saving techniques they know so well. I am still amazed by these healthcare professionals, especially the nurses....they really are unsung heroes. By 12:30 am , they had stabilized him while the ventilator took over breathing for him. A series of tests would now take place over the next several hours. My incredible wife worked a 14 hour day and then said "I'm staying right here by his side tonight". We all departed around 2:30 am for our homes, nervous but feeling better that Sheila would spend the night taking care of him. None of us realized that the worse news was yet to come.
Day 2:
Upon arriving back at the hospital around 6:45 am, Sheila and a team of nurses and doctors huddled around his room discussing next steps. Sheila kept him as cool as possible through the night while a series of meds dripped through the IV lines to fight infection, feed him, and hydrate him. She said that he had several seizures thoughout the night and that things were just not right. It was clear that his body was battling infection, but the results from the EEG (brain) scan were not so clear and were actually frightening. His brain activity was definitely not normal. A decision was made to send him out immediately to Buffalo General Hospital where a team of expert Neuro Surgeons could analyze him. By this time, Dan and his family were being immersed in prayers and love from family and friends. I cannot thank everyone enough.
Within 30 minutes, Dan was being prepared for transport to Buffalo General. They wanted to take him by helicopter, but the wind and weather conditions kept Staflight grounded. We left for Buffalo and minutes later, the ambulance passed us on route 60.
The day went by slowly at Buffalo General as doctors, nurses, and specialists assessed Dan’s condition and decided on additional testing that needed to be done. His condition started to improve as the day went on with only a few shorter duration seizures. His temperature came down, his vitals all looked good, and his organs were all performing normally. They were concerned about swelling around the brain and scheduled a Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap) to collect and look at the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Several family members and our Pastor were in the waiting room eager to hear about his condition and any progress. We were allowed to visit him in the room only if suited up with a gown, mask, and gloves. He was (and is) still unconscious, heavily sedated, and all we could do was talk to him, encourage him, and pray for him. I kept reflecting back to the last time I heard his voice, praying and hoping I would hear it again soon. Several family members stayed the night in the waiting room. Everyone needed sleep.
Day 3:
More testing took place today including another EEG scan and the Lumbar Puncture. We will have to wait a few days for the results. Concerns are around possible Meningitis and/or Sepsis. Neither can be confirmed yet. He is definitely stable today and the seizures appear to have resided. The family is working on spreading out the times we will be at Buffalo General, as we want someone there as much as possible during the entire time you are allowed to visit. My family (immediate, extended, etc.) has been absolutely incredible over the last few days…..lots of hours at the hospitals, little or no sleep, surviving on vending machine snacks, and prayers beyond belief. We are praying for Dan’s full recovery and we need to leave him in God’s hands now.
My ‘little’ brother Dan means so much to his family, his friends, and this community we live in. Dan received the Community Service Award at his last place of work, and it was well deserved. He constantly puts the needs of others and those less fortunate before his own needs. Dan goes out of his way to talk to people, to find out how they’re doing, and to help them in any way he can.
This is why I am asking for financial help for him and his family at this point in their lives. I will be forever thankful for your help in getting him over this hurdle life threw at him, as will the rest of our family. Thank you and God Bless.
I'll try to recap the last few days as best as I can.....
Day 1:
On Wednesday evening, March 9th, my brother Dan went down to Urgent Care for what appeared to be the flu. He was battling a fever with aches and pain while having some difficulty breathing....kind of what the flu does to everyone. Shortly after being assessed there, they took him by ambulance to WCA Hospital. He was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit. My wife Sheila is a Registured Nurse in the ICU there. She was working her normal 12 to 13 hour shift and sent me a text letting me know that Dan was admitted into the unit and that chest X-rays showed that he had pneumonia. She called me and said "Make sure you call your brother Dan tonight to check how he's doing". We missed each's others calls a few times, but finally we connected at 7:15 pm. I asked how he was doing, and he said "Not good Al, this really got me". I could tell he was struggling to catch his breath, but he proceded to ask how my family and I were doing. This is typical for Dan.....he could be in the worst shape ever, and he wants to know if there is anything he can do for you. I told him to get some rest and I would talk to him in the morning. Little did I know, this would be my last conversation with him.
Sheila came home around 8:00 pm and said that he was really sick. I'll admit I was a little nervous, but I was not ready for what was about to come. Around two hours later, the phone rang and I heard Sheila talking and then suddenly yelled out "Al, we have to get down the hospital now!" I changed my clothes quickly and raced out the door, jumped in the car, while Sheila was in the passenger seat talking to the doctor on her phone. I still wasn't sure what was going on, as I hadn't heard the conversation. As we approached the hospital.....I looked over at Sheila to see tears rolling down her cheeks. I knew it was time to pray.
We parked in the emergency lot and ran to the elevators. Sheila told me to call my mom and dad along with my brother Scott while she called my sister, Darlene. We connected with everyone and they were all on their way. My dad is a prayer warrior and was on his knees for the night.
Upon reaching the ICU, we (Sheila, Joan, and I) were greeted by the hospital Supervisor who informed us that he had aspirated and they needed to vent him and induce a coma. What Sheila hadn't told me was that my brother Dan had gone into respiratory failure and a team of doctors and nurses were working very hard to save his life. We were all so confused as to how things went so bad so fast. I think the hospital staff was in total disbelief also. I thank God that Dan was right where he needed to be when this happened. I'm convinced he wouldn't be with us today if he had been home or elsewhere. They were able to maintain life support and oxygen levels while performing the life saving techniques they know so well. I am still amazed by these healthcare professionals, especially the nurses....they really are unsung heroes. By 12:30 am , they had stabilized him while the ventilator took over breathing for him. A series of tests would now take place over the next several hours. My incredible wife worked a 14 hour day and then said "I'm staying right here by his side tonight". We all departed around 2:30 am for our homes, nervous but feeling better that Sheila would spend the night taking care of him. None of us realized that the worse news was yet to come.
Day 2:
Upon arriving back at the hospital around 6:45 am, Sheila and a team of nurses and doctors huddled around his room discussing next steps. Sheila kept him as cool as possible through the night while a series of meds dripped through the IV lines to fight infection, feed him, and hydrate him. She said that he had several seizures thoughout the night and that things were just not right. It was clear that his body was battling infection, but the results from the EEG (brain) scan were not so clear and were actually frightening. His brain activity was definitely not normal. A decision was made to send him out immediately to Buffalo General Hospital where a team of expert Neuro Surgeons could analyze him. By this time, Dan and his family were being immersed in prayers and love from family and friends. I cannot thank everyone enough.
Within 30 minutes, Dan was being prepared for transport to Buffalo General. They wanted to take him by helicopter, but the wind and weather conditions kept Staflight grounded. We left for Buffalo and minutes later, the ambulance passed us on route 60.
The day went by slowly at Buffalo General as doctors, nurses, and specialists assessed Dan’s condition and decided on additional testing that needed to be done. His condition started to improve as the day went on with only a few shorter duration seizures. His temperature came down, his vitals all looked good, and his organs were all performing normally. They were concerned about swelling around the brain and scheduled a Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap) to collect and look at the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Several family members and our Pastor were in the waiting room eager to hear about his condition and any progress. We were allowed to visit him in the room only if suited up with a gown, mask, and gloves. He was (and is) still unconscious, heavily sedated, and all we could do was talk to him, encourage him, and pray for him. I kept reflecting back to the last time I heard his voice, praying and hoping I would hear it again soon. Several family members stayed the night in the waiting room. Everyone needed sleep.
Day 3:
More testing took place today including another EEG scan and the Lumbar Puncture. We will have to wait a few days for the results. Concerns are around possible Meningitis and/or Sepsis. Neither can be confirmed yet. He is definitely stable today and the seizures appear to have resided. The family is working on spreading out the times we will be at Buffalo General, as we want someone there as much as possible during the entire time you are allowed to visit. My family (immediate, extended, etc.) has been absolutely incredible over the last few days…..lots of hours at the hospitals, little or no sleep, surviving on vending machine snacks, and prayers beyond belief. We are praying for Dan’s full recovery and we need to leave him in God’s hands now.
My ‘little’ brother Dan means so much to his family, his friends, and this community we live in. Dan received the Community Service Award at his last place of work, and it was well deserved. He constantly puts the needs of others and those less fortunate before his own needs. Dan goes out of his way to talk to people, to find out how they’re doing, and to help them in any way he can.
This is why I am asking for financial help for him and his family at this point in their lives. I will be forever thankful for your help in getting him over this hurdle life threw at him, as will the rest of our family. Thank you and God Bless.
Organizer and beneficiary
Allen Myers
Organizer
Jamestown, NY
Nicholas Myers
Beneficiary
