Medical Expenses & Help for Cameron
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Cameron needs some help due to a recent unforeseen medical emergency.
Recent Photograph of Cameron
Cameron is a pediatric cancer survivor who has been free of Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma for almost seven years now. Sadly, the toxins (chemotherapy) that put his Lymphoma into remission also wreaked havoc on his body which led to several conditions requiring further treatment and many of those ailments ended up leading to surgeries. Over the years Cameron has had double digit surgeries.
My dates get mixed up but several years ago one of those surgeries led to a condition where Cameron’s stomach didn’t empty properly and this caused him to be dizzy and nauseous all the time. This went on for over a year before we figured out why this was happening, but he basically lost a year of classes at Bradley University because although he tried to complete the classes his medical condition wouldn’t allow it and ultimately the classes were never completed. Thankfully we met a great surgeon in 2015 who could fix Cameron’s condition and allow him to return to a “normal life”.
Recent Photograph of CameronCameron is a pediatric cancer survivor who has been free of Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma for almost seven years now. Sadly, the toxins (chemotherapy) that put his Lymphoma into remission also wreaked havoc on his body which led to several conditions requiring further treatment and many of those ailments ended up leading to surgeries. Over the years Cameron has had double digit surgeries.
My dates get mixed up but several years ago one of those surgeries led to a condition where Cameron’s stomach didn’t empty properly and this caused him to be dizzy and nauseous all the time. This went on for over a year before we figured out why this was happening, but he basically lost a year of classes at Bradley University because although he tried to complete the classes his medical condition wouldn’t allow it and ultimately the classes were never completed. Thankfully we met a great surgeon in 2015 who could fix Cameron’s condition and allow him to return to a “normal life”.
Cameron in 2011 during chemotherapy showing his positive attitude
Sure, Cameron has had a few problems by and large but the past few years things have been back to normal. He had been doing well and is now a full-time student at the University of Illinois Springfield and at the same time a full-time intern for a large corporation here in Peoria.
Unfortunately, 17 days ago Cameron while at a festival on the riverfront with his girlfriend, felt a very sharp pain in his shoulder and according to her he turned ghostly pale very quickly. She rushed him to the emergency department at OSF in Peoria where later that evening he had an emergency exploratory surgery to fix what was found to be a hole (perforation) in his stomach. The surgeon had to make a very large incision (navel to sternum) to give her fast and complete access to his abdomen because she didn’t know if it was his intestines or stomach that were leaking according to the medical imaging. After patching the hole, he was in the hospital for a week of recovery and then released to go home. Even though he was keeping the wound clean the incision became very infected and a sack of fluid formed under the sutures. Because of this the surgeons were required to open the incision so the infection could drain, this added to the overall recovery time as well as a smorgasbord of about 6 new medications which were not cheap. On this past Friday (May 18th, 2018) that wound started gushing large volumes of blood and he was taken back to the emergency department where he was required to have another emergency surgery to repair a torn internal suture that had opened up the fascia and to clean the wound. The surgeon had to do special things to make sure the wound heals properly so it is going to take a while for a full recovery.
Cameron sleeping after emergency surgery (a few weeks ago)
The bottom line is that Cameron has been in the hospital 11 of the last 17 days, he has had 2 surgeries, multiple "minor" procedures, as well as multiple medications he has to pay for out of pocket and unfortunately he also doesn't get paid at his internship if he is not working so there is no money coming in to help supplement in covering this medical emergency. Because his surgery happened the day before finals started he hasn’t been able to finish his spring semester classes and he is also in danger of losing credit for that hard work. Cameron also just finished moving a few weeks ago to Morton,IL so moving expenses, (and also unpacking to still be done) are also lingering.
These past several years of medical issues as well as this past 17 days of surgeries and hospitalization have left Cameron in a precarious position financially and he needs help to pay for his regular living expenses, the numerous medical bills & prescriptions, as well as the debts he has accumulated trying to finish school while working (Cameron is currently paying out of pocket for his summer classes, and another reason why he is in a precarious financial position). Anything you can give, even a small amount, is great appreciated so you can help Cameron get caught up and keep his head above water while he is trying to heal so he can fully return to work and school.
Cameron's Father has been ill the past 2.5 years and has been unable to work, so Mom and Dad are not able to provide much financial assistance either which is why we are turning to this crowdfunding fundraiser to see if we can pull together and help give this resilient young man a boost back to normalcy.
Thank you for all of your help,
The Reicheneker Family
Cameron maintaining his positive attitude
Cameron and his girlfriend Cassie in Queen Creek
Cameron and his girlfriend Cassie in Sedona
Sure, Cameron has had a few problems by and large but the past few years things have been back to normal. He had been doing well and is now a full-time student at the University of Illinois Springfield and at the same time a full-time intern for a large corporation here in Peoria.
Unfortunately, 17 days ago Cameron while at a festival on the riverfront with his girlfriend, felt a very sharp pain in his shoulder and according to her he turned ghostly pale very quickly. She rushed him to the emergency department at OSF in Peoria where later that evening he had an emergency exploratory surgery to fix what was found to be a hole (perforation) in his stomach. The surgeon had to make a very large incision (navel to sternum) to give her fast and complete access to his abdomen because she didn’t know if it was his intestines or stomach that were leaking according to the medical imaging. After patching the hole, he was in the hospital for a week of recovery and then released to go home. Even though he was keeping the wound clean the incision became very infected and a sack of fluid formed under the sutures. Because of this the surgeons were required to open the incision so the infection could drain, this added to the overall recovery time as well as a smorgasbord of about 6 new medications which were not cheap. On this past Friday (May 18th, 2018) that wound started gushing large volumes of blood and he was taken back to the emergency department where he was required to have another emergency surgery to repair a torn internal suture that had opened up the fascia and to clean the wound. The surgeon had to do special things to make sure the wound heals properly so it is going to take a while for a full recovery.
Cameron sleeping after emergency surgery (a few weeks ago)The bottom line is that Cameron has been in the hospital 11 of the last 17 days, he has had 2 surgeries, multiple "minor" procedures, as well as multiple medications he has to pay for out of pocket and unfortunately he also doesn't get paid at his internship if he is not working so there is no money coming in to help supplement in covering this medical emergency. Because his surgery happened the day before finals started he hasn’t been able to finish his spring semester classes and he is also in danger of losing credit for that hard work. Cameron also just finished moving a few weeks ago to Morton,IL so moving expenses, (and also unpacking to still be done) are also lingering.
These past several years of medical issues as well as this past 17 days of surgeries and hospitalization have left Cameron in a precarious position financially and he needs help to pay for his regular living expenses, the numerous medical bills & prescriptions, as well as the debts he has accumulated trying to finish school while working (Cameron is currently paying out of pocket for his summer classes, and another reason why he is in a precarious financial position). Anything you can give, even a small amount, is great appreciated so you can help Cameron get caught up and keep his head above water while he is trying to heal so he can fully return to work and school.
Cameron's Father has been ill the past 2.5 years and has been unable to work, so Mom and Dad are not able to provide much financial assistance either which is why we are turning to this crowdfunding fundraiser to see if we can pull together and help give this resilient young man a boost back to normalcy.
Thank you for all of your help,
The Reicheneker Family
Cameron maintaining his positive attitudeCameron and his girlfriend Cassie in Queen CreekCameron and his girlfriend Cassie in SedonaOrganizer and beneficiary
Scott Reicheneker
Organizer
Peoria, IL
Cameron Reicheneker
Beneficiary
