Medical Fund for Ethan Derenoff
Donation protected
As many of you know, Ethan has been struggling for a while now. It’s been quite a journey, after a series of concussions and resulting brain damage rendered Ethan unable to work or properly care for himself. Brain scans taken in April 2015, confirmed that areas of the frontal and temporal lobes of his brain were damaged. One might think this would be enough, but for Ethan it is just one chapter of his ills. A thread to be carried through and not forgotten as we present the next chapter.
Ethan developed stomach and bowel issues that persisted for months; causing severe pain. A change of diet, gluten free, had helped some but it did not solve his issues. So Ethan had a colonoscopy in October 2015. The results showed hundreds upon hundreds of precancerous polyps, too many to be removed… Ethan’s only option was to have his colon removed. Yes, this bit of news did not go over well and for a young man with brain injury, this was especially hard. Prior to this diagnosis, Ethan was on the road to getting a handle on his mental health. With proper medications, diet, exercise, and counseling, Ethan’s outlook was improving…depression was lifting, short term memory returning and sensory issues less frequent.
Ethan did go down to Virginia Mason Hospital to see specialists for a second evaluation. His diagnosis of polyposis was confirmed and the treatment outcome stayed the same; total colectomy. Doctors at Virginia Mason considered Ethan a medical puzzle so they ordered genetic testing. The tests ruled out the familial/genetic form of his condition but the precancerous polyps are such that the colectomy is viewed as life-saving. What is known is that the precancerous growths are the result of long term inflammation in the gut (Ethan also has ulcers throughout his gastric system). There is a possibility that the inflammation in Ethan’s digestive system is associated with Ethan’s multiple head injuries. The “neuroenteric axis” or “brain-gut connection” is not well understood but is being studied.
Ethan, his mother Jill, and sister Rae, will be traveling to Seattle on June 21st where Ethan is scheduled for surgery at Virginia Mason Hospital on June 23rd. Ethan is expected to be in the hospital for 5-7 days, depending on his rate of recovery. He will then stay in a hotel near the hospital to await pathology reports and get the “all clear” from his doctor and surgeon. Jill will stay at the Inn at Virginia Mason to be near and take care of Ethan. Ethan and his family expect his stay in Seattle will be about two weeks.
We ask that you first pray for Ethan and his family as they go through these trying times. And pray that pathology test results show no cancerous growths or cells, as that has not yet been ruled out. If you know Ethan, drop him a line of encouragement on his Facebook page, call or text him. If you can, please make a donation to help defray costs. Unmet medical expenses and hotel costs will be a large part of the family’s expense. Also the cost of supplies after colectomy, as insurance will only cover the bare minimum. These are supplies Ethan will require for the rest of his life. We thank you for helping to write the next chapter in Ethan’s book of life.
I
Ethan developed stomach and bowel issues that persisted for months; causing severe pain. A change of diet, gluten free, had helped some but it did not solve his issues. So Ethan had a colonoscopy in October 2015. The results showed hundreds upon hundreds of precancerous polyps, too many to be removed… Ethan’s only option was to have his colon removed. Yes, this bit of news did not go over well and for a young man with brain injury, this was especially hard. Prior to this diagnosis, Ethan was on the road to getting a handle on his mental health. With proper medications, diet, exercise, and counseling, Ethan’s outlook was improving…depression was lifting, short term memory returning and sensory issues less frequent.
Ethan did go down to Virginia Mason Hospital to see specialists for a second evaluation. His diagnosis of polyposis was confirmed and the treatment outcome stayed the same; total colectomy. Doctors at Virginia Mason considered Ethan a medical puzzle so they ordered genetic testing. The tests ruled out the familial/genetic form of his condition but the precancerous polyps are such that the colectomy is viewed as life-saving. What is known is that the precancerous growths are the result of long term inflammation in the gut (Ethan also has ulcers throughout his gastric system). There is a possibility that the inflammation in Ethan’s digestive system is associated with Ethan’s multiple head injuries. The “neuroenteric axis” or “brain-gut connection” is not well understood but is being studied.
Ethan, his mother Jill, and sister Rae, will be traveling to Seattle on June 21st where Ethan is scheduled for surgery at Virginia Mason Hospital on June 23rd. Ethan is expected to be in the hospital for 5-7 days, depending on his rate of recovery. He will then stay in a hotel near the hospital to await pathology reports and get the “all clear” from his doctor and surgeon. Jill will stay at the Inn at Virginia Mason to be near and take care of Ethan. Ethan and his family expect his stay in Seattle will be about two weeks.
We ask that you first pray for Ethan and his family as they go through these trying times. And pray that pathology test results show no cancerous growths or cells, as that has not yet been ruled out. If you know Ethan, drop him a line of encouragement on his Facebook page, call or text him. If you can, please make a donation to help defray costs. Unmet medical expenses and hotel costs will be a large part of the family’s expense. Also the cost of supplies after colectomy, as insurance will only cover the bare minimum. These are supplies Ethan will require for the rest of his life. We thank you for helping to write the next chapter in Ethan’s book of life.
I
Organizer and beneficiary
Briana Heller
Organizer
Juneau, AK
Eli Derenoff
Beneficiary