18 Y/O Chiari Malformation Battle
Donation protected
Our little brother's long battle and road to recovery from Arnold Chiari Malformation Disorder.
Friday, 10th August 2018
Our brother Mitchell had been referred by his physiotherapist to undergo an MRI as he had been constantly suffering from back pain and migraines.
During the scan, the examiner noticed there was something not right. The following day, our local GP phoned regarding the results of the scans. He was unsure what it was. All we knew was that something was not right - and we were told we had to go to a neurosurgeon right away.
Monday 13th August 2018
Being from Griffith; a small rural town in the Riverina NSW, our only option was to travel six and half hours to Sydney to see Dr Richard Parkinson; a neurosurgeon at St Vincent's Hospital.
Tuesday 14th August 2018
We arrived at St Vincent's Clinic to obtain more information about the scans; hoping it was nothing too serious. After the specialist had gone through the scans and asking Mitchell more in depth questions about his pain and where they were, Dr Parkinson has gone on to diagnose him with 'Arnold Chiari Malformation'.
We had not heard of this. We were unsure of what this disease was, and how it is to be treated.
Dr Parkinson wanted to operate as soon as possible as there was fluid build up on Mitchell's spinal cord. If it was left any longer, it could leave Mitchell in a wheel chair.
Monday 20th August 2018
Once again, we travelled back to Sydney; this time for the surgery.
The surgeon assured us it would be a 3-4 hour procedure. However, he went in at 1pm, and by time he was transferred to ICU, it was 10pm before we could see him. All together, the surgery took six and half hours; as it was more complicated then they originally thought.
We are now at 25th August 2018, with our little brother still in Sydney in hospital. Having good days, and bad days.
It has already been discussed that it will be a long road to recovery.
He is unable to go back to work for at least another 3 months, with on-going check up's (in Sydney) and regular physiotherapy visits.
Arnold Chiari Malformation Disorder is a rare and serious neurological condition, in which the lower portion of the brain, the cerebellum, descends into the base of the skull. Simply put, Chiari Malformtion is where the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal.
With only half way, we have already incurred approximately $50,000 out of pocket. This is with the assistance of our private health fund. We are with HCF; but unfortunately, we were only covered for basics; which does not include hospital stays. This amount does not include our travel or accomodation expense for staying away from home for many weeks.
On behalf of Mitchell's family, we would like to thank our family and friends for the well wishes we have already received in this difficult time.
Your kind donations would be of much assistance to our family, to contribute to the extensive amount of hospital bills and future on-going medical treatments.
Jorja & Maddy Hannon x
Friday, 10th August 2018
Our brother Mitchell had been referred by his physiotherapist to undergo an MRI as he had been constantly suffering from back pain and migraines.
During the scan, the examiner noticed there was something not right. The following day, our local GP phoned regarding the results of the scans. He was unsure what it was. All we knew was that something was not right - and we were told we had to go to a neurosurgeon right away.
Monday 13th August 2018
Being from Griffith; a small rural town in the Riverina NSW, our only option was to travel six and half hours to Sydney to see Dr Richard Parkinson; a neurosurgeon at St Vincent's Hospital.
Tuesday 14th August 2018
We arrived at St Vincent's Clinic to obtain more information about the scans; hoping it was nothing too serious. After the specialist had gone through the scans and asking Mitchell more in depth questions about his pain and where they were, Dr Parkinson has gone on to diagnose him with 'Arnold Chiari Malformation'.
We had not heard of this. We were unsure of what this disease was, and how it is to be treated.
Dr Parkinson wanted to operate as soon as possible as there was fluid build up on Mitchell's spinal cord. If it was left any longer, it could leave Mitchell in a wheel chair.
Monday 20th August 2018
Once again, we travelled back to Sydney; this time for the surgery.
The surgeon assured us it would be a 3-4 hour procedure. However, he went in at 1pm, and by time he was transferred to ICU, it was 10pm before we could see him. All together, the surgery took six and half hours; as it was more complicated then they originally thought.
We are now at 25th August 2018, with our little brother still in Sydney in hospital. Having good days, and bad days.
It has already been discussed that it will be a long road to recovery.
He is unable to go back to work for at least another 3 months, with on-going check up's (in Sydney) and regular physiotherapy visits.
Arnold Chiari Malformation Disorder is a rare and serious neurological condition, in which the lower portion of the brain, the cerebellum, descends into the base of the skull. Simply put, Chiari Malformtion is where the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal.
With only half way, we have already incurred approximately $50,000 out of pocket. This is with the assistance of our private health fund. We are with HCF; but unfortunately, we were only covered for basics; which does not include hospital stays. This amount does not include our travel or accomodation expense for staying away from home for many weeks.
On behalf of Mitchell's family, we would like to thank our family and friends for the well wishes we have already received in this difficult time.
Your kind donations would be of much assistance to our family, to contribute to the extensive amount of hospital bills and future on-going medical treatments.
Jorja & Maddy Hannon x
Organizer
Jorja Hannon
Organizer
Nericon, NSW