Help Michael with Medical Expenses

On February 22 at 1130 pm I got the most terrifying call of my life. It was my brother, Michael. At first he was concerned about waking me up. (He doesn't call late unless it's important, which was the reason I answered in the first place). Secondly, he asked me to come help him because he thought he was having a stroke.

My just-turned 38 year old brother, Uncle Mikey to my two daughters, best friend, cheesemaker, and farm manager extraordinaire; the only person I can look at in any situation and he is thinking the exact same thing, had a stroke? Michael? Who didn’t drink any alcohol this past summer, who works an extra job so he can get a workout in and be productive at the same time, little brother Michael? There was no way - he was wrong and I was right because I'm the older sister.

When I saw him, he was holding his arm in a slinged position, was limping, was unable to smile and was slurring his speech. Indeed, after a quick assessment by my bestie doctor Kim (she was staying with us to help with our newborn), she told me that taking him to the ER was the right thing to do. So off we went to the Driggs ER at 1230 am, trying not to speed because that would be the time we'd get pulled over.

An hour later, the medical team at the Driggs ER confirmed he had a stroke and was "getting a helicopter ride" to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC). EIRMC is a level 2+ certified stroke center and they'd take good care of him there. They wrapped him in a blanket and told him to brace for the cold as it was already 0 degrees at 6200 ft and he was about to go higher.

I met Michael at EIRMC (with Dr. Kim who volunteered to help me translate and navigate his medical care) around 4 am, where we waited to talk to the attending neurologist until 11 am the next morning. He confirmed that Michael had a small stroke sometime in the past and most recently experienced a vertebral artery dissection in his neck. The dissection had cut off blood flow to his brain, causing the stroke symptoms. His blood had already rerouted itself to the other artery, resupplying his brain with blood and oxygen which explained the sensations coming back in his left side. He also explained that this was a "best case scenario." Michael was recovering already. And assuming additional tests came back positive, he would fully recover within a year. Since Michael wasn't the usual stroke patient, it took some conversation to figure out what could have caused the dissection and if it was related to any other underlying health condition. Working together they determined that it was not related to another health condition and that his artery had been weakened from prolonged previous smoking. That coupled with regular neck cracking resulted in the dissection. Basically, he was really unlucky and then really lucky to have caught it (good luck and bad lucked are all messed up!). They affirmed that bringing him into the ER when I did, safeguarded his quick and full recovery.

Because Michael was recovering in real time, the neurologist gave him permission he could still go on his already rescheduled vacation to Hawaii in two days time, assuming he could pass the physical therapy and other imaging tests. He did and was therefore discharged about 24 hours before his plane took off for some much needed R&R.

Michael now takes medication daily to prevent related complications. He's stopped vaping, has cut out caffeine and has significantly limited his drinking. Him and I both need him to be there for my girls. I need him to be there for me. I'm so grateful he made a full recovery and he can be there for our family. However, I learned during this process that Michael had dropped his health insurance (since he is the healthiest he's ever been, it doesn't make sense, but it doesn't not make sense either). With that said, I'm hoping this GoFundMe will help ease his medical bills. We really appreciate any support you can give.

EDIT, 3/24/2025

Michael is actively negotiating the figures below (thank you for the guidance, you know who you are!!). I will update the figures below after he gets the final adjustments. In the meantime, every little bit counts. Thank you again for your support and generosity

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Medflight to ERIMC, $78,000

Driggs ER, $3,500

Driggs ER Physician, $1,350

ERIMC, $8,673 (already discounted 90%)

Eastern Idaho Lab Consult, $233

Medical Imaging, $5,321