Allison's Medical Expenses
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Her name is Allison. She is by far the kindest, most optimistic and enthusiastic woman that I have ever met. She is a single parent of 2 amazing daughters. Her oldest is an aspiring epidemiologist. Her youngest is physically and cognitively disabled with special needs. Allison has dedicated herself to raising her children and her career, and she is a cancer survivor.
This is her story:
Allison was experiencing recurring sinus infections and significant facial pain for many months. In March 2015, she met with a local otolaryngologist (ENT). The ENT determined Allison had a sinus polyp on the left side, and on April 29, 2015 Allison had surgery to remove it . Allison was not worried at all about the procedure, as there were no indications the polyp was anything more than typical. The procedure went well.
Allison received a call from the ENT 5 days after the surgery and was informed the polyp pathology resulted in her worst fear: a malignant tumor.
Esthesioneuroblastoma is a very rare and complex cancer, with only 994 cases documented worldwide. Due to the complexity and rarity of this cancer, Allison is under the care of a renowned cranial-based tumor specialist, based in Manhattan, who unfortunately is not covered on her insurance.
For the last year a half, Allison has undergone the following medical procedures as a result of this cancer:
• June 10, 2015: the resection surgery took place when the specialist operated on Allison to remove malignant cells and obtain clear margins. Allison experienced a cerebral spinal fluid (“CSF”) leak during surgery and had a patch placed on the cribiform plate at the base of her brain. She was discharged after 5 days in the hospital and placed on restrictions for 4 weeks post-op, which included no lifting over 5 pounds, no straining, and no driving .
• August 2015: Allison began to experience significant, persistent, shooting pains in her head and face. What’s more, she had difficulty breathing out of the left side of her nose. The specialist determined surgery was necessary to remove scar tissue that had developed from the June surgery.
• December 10, 2015: the cranial-based tumor surgeon operated on Allison for a second time to remove several areas of ethmoid sinus scar tissue and bone granulation which lead to these obstructions.
Allison experienced significant pain after the December surgery, and after several scans, it was determined
more scar tissue and bone granulation developed and were closing off the frontal sinus. The
specialist scheduled a frontal sinus obliteration surgery, a major surgery, to take place in February.
On the day of the surgery, February 25, 2016, the procedure was canceled due to Allison being
diagnosed with a very serious staph infection. The infection spread from her nose to her face
and eye. The infection was caught just in time before spreading to her brain. Allison was
admitted to the hospital immediately, required to drain the infection. She had a PICC line placed
in her arm for administering IV antibiotics on a long-term basis, and was discharged 5 days later.
• March 9, 2016: Allison developed a high fever and ended up back in the hospital due to an infection and allergic reaction to the antibiotics.
Allison recovered from the infection, and the postponed sinus surgery took place on March 31, 2016. The surgery was considered to be a success, and she was discharged from the hospital after a couple of days.
• April 18, 2016: Allison was diagnosed with an infection and was prescribed antibiotics and rest. Allison was unable to go to work the entire month of April.
In addition to her surgeries, Allison has been seeing a pain management specialist for several
months to treat severe, chronic head and atypical facial pain.
During this challenging year and a half, Allison took on a profound financial burden. Major medical bills related to her cancer and costs for childcare for her disabled daughter, transportation, and critical medications have overwhelmed her financially.
She met with the specialist recently and was told she may have to endure yet another surgery due to more scar tissue obstructions.
Allison's treatment plan involves close montitoring by her specialist for 5 years, and every 3 months she will have scans and test. The great news is her treatment plan is working and she has no signs of tumor. She is working on pain management, and is hopeful she will find relief of the horrible pain soon.
Due to the reasons listed above, I am reaching out to all of you to help support Allison, in hopes that she may soon regain financial stability, while she continues to support her brilliant 15-year-old daughter who made honor roll last year and her precious 13-year-old daughter with special needs. Allison just needs a little, but crucial boost to help her and prevail over the mounting repercussions of this horrible disease.
Please, no amount is too small. And I thank you in advance for the kindness and generosity of your hearts.
Thank you,
Bett
This is her story:
Allison was experiencing recurring sinus infections and significant facial pain for many months. In March 2015, she met with a local otolaryngologist (ENT). The ENT determined Allison had a sinus polyp on the left side, and on April 29, 2015 Allison had surgery to remove it . Allison was not worried at all about the procedure, as there were no indications the polyp was anything more than typical. The procedure went well.
Allison received a call from the ENT 5 days after the surgery and was informed the polyp pathology resulted in her worst fear: a malignant tumor.
Esthesioneuroblastoma is a very rare and complex cancer, with only 994 cases documented worldwide. Due to the complexity and rarity of this cancer, Allison is under the care of a renowned cranial-based tumor specialist, based in Manhattan, who unfortunately is not covered on her insurance.
For the last year a half, Allison has undergone the following medical procedures as a result of this cancer:
• June 10, 2015: the resection surgery took place when the specialist operated on Allison to remove malignant cells and obtain clear margins. Allison experienced a cerebral spinal fluid (“CSF”) leak during surgery and had a patch placed on the cribiform plate at the base of her brain. She was discharged after 5 days in the hospital and placed on restrictions for 4 weeks post-op, which included no lifting over 5 pounds, no straining, and no driving .
• August 2015: Allison began to experience significant, persistent, shooting pains in her head and face. What’s more, she had difficulty breathing out of the left side of her nose. The specialist determined surgery was necessary to remove scar tissue that had developed from the June surgery.
• December 10, 2015: the cranial-based tumor surgeon operated on Allison for a second time to remove several areas of ethmoid sinus scar tissue and bone granulation which lead to these obstructions.
Allison experienced significant pain after the December surgery, and after several scans, it was determined
more scar tissue and bone granulation developed and were closing off the frontal sinus. The
specialist scheduled a frontal sinus obliteration surgery, a major surgery, to take place in February.
On the day of the surgery, February 25, 2016, the procedure was canceled due to Allison being
diagnosed with a very serious staph infection. The infection spread from her nose to her face
and eye. The infection was caught just in time before spreading to her brain. Allison was
admitted to the hospital immediately, required to drain the infection. She had a PICC line placed
in her arm for administering IV antibiotics on a long-term basis, and was discharged 5 days later.
• March 9, 2016: Allison developed a high fever and ended up back in the hospital due to an infection and allergic reaction to the antibiotics.
Allison recovered from the infection, and the postponed sinus surgery took place on March 31, 2016. The surgery was considered to be a success, and she was discharged from the hospital after a couple of days.
• April 18, 2016: Allison was diagnosed with an infection and was prescribed antibiotics and rest. Allison was unable to go to work the entire month of April.
In addition to her surgeries, Allison has been seeing a pain management specialist for several
months to treat severe, chronic head and atypical facial pain.
During this challenging year and a half, Allison took on a profound financial burden. Major medical bills related to her cancer and costs for childcare for her disabled daughter, transportation, and critical medications have overwhelmed her financially.
She met with the specialist recently and was told she may have to endure yet another surgery due to more scar tissue obstructions.
Allison's treatment plan involves close montitoring by her specialist for 5 years, and every 3 months she will have scans and test. The great news is her treatment plan is working and she has no signs of tumor. She is working on pain management, and is hopeful she will find relief of the horrible pain soon.
Due to the reasons listed above, I am reaching out to all of you to help support Allison, in hopes that she may soon regain financial stability, while she continues to support her brilliant 15-year-old daughter who made honor roll last year and her precious 13-year-old daughter with special needs. Allison just needs a little, but crucial boost to help her and prevail over the mounting repercussions of this horrible disease.
Please, no amount is too small. And I thank you in advance for the kindness and generosity of your hearts.
Thank you,
Bett
Organizer and beneficiary
Bett T
Organizer
Bethel, CT
Allison Berger
Beneficiary