Urgent Eye Surgery Needed for Beto
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Other contact info and donation options:
P.O. Box 2883 Sedona, Arizona 86339
Lynniel's email: [email redacted]
Paypal: email address or paypal.me/LCostelli
Donate through: Lynniel's Facebook Messenger
Dear Friends and Family,
It is with extreme difficultly we humbly ask our friends, family or anyone who is able for help in savings Beto's eyesight!
Beto urgently needs specialized eye surgery or he will lose his vision completely. Each eye surgery will cost $14,000 (Total: $28,000). He will need an additional $1600 for a minimum of four CT Scans before and after the surgery. The hospital is in Scottsdale which is a 4-hour round trip with an elevation difference of 3300 feet. He is required to be there the day before and following each operation for post-op observation. Travel and lodging expense is $1100 (conservative estimate). We were given a rough estimate of between $600-$1000 for additional expenses after the surgery, such as; prescription/medication, sterile dressings, labwork, etc...
Beto is currently employed full time but does not have medical insurance and we do not have the money to cover the medical expenses. At this time we have already gone through our entire savings paying cash for endless doctor appointments, vision testing, CT scans, labs, and monthly prescriptions.
Over the past nine months while also submerged in profound grief everyday over the loss of his beloved mother, Beto is completely and understandably overwhelmed. He gets out of bed every day and appears almost super-human as he continues to work full-time as a professional chef while battling this debilitating illness that is now threatening to take his eyesight completely.
Nothing gives Beto more joy than creating artistic, wholesome meals for friends and strangers alike. Anyone who knows him knows that being a chef is his greatest passion. He is a proud, hard-working man and isn't used to asking for help - He is the one who is always quick to help those in need.
Beto's Endocrinologist, Ophthalmologist, and Oculoplastic Surgeon all agree, "Beto is at a crucial stage where time is of the essence and getting the bilateral orbital decompression surgery immediately is critical in saving his eyesight.
Prognosis and Recovery:
The Oculoplastic Surgeon has complete confidence that the operation will be fully successful in repairing the current damage and preventing blindness. Beto will be restricted from work until he is completely healed; approximately four weeks from start to finish. Then he can expect to return to work full time and pursue his love of cooking.
About the disease:
Thyroid Eye Disease: "TED" – also known as Graves’ Orbitopathy or Ophthalmopathy – is an autoimmune condition. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the tissue surrounding the eye causing inflammation in the tissues around and behind the eye. Less than 5% of people with "TED" become severe and unfortunately, Beto is within that 5%.
Beto has a very advanced condition that is aggressively attacking his vision. The inflammation is so severe that his eyes are being pushed forward and because the eyelids are pulled open by the muscles, he has difficulty closing his eyelids; even when he is asleep. This can lead to corneal ulcers which causes scarring and permanent loss of vision. The constant orbital pressure causes hemorrhaging-like redness of the eyes, surface tissue scaring, pain and a decrease in vision. When the nerve is compressed as bad as his, color vision is abnormal, lights may seem dimmer than usual, the sharpness of the vision decreases, and peripheral vision is compromised. Without the surgical treatment this will progress to permanent loss of vision.
The following is a list of the symptoms Beto struggles with every day:
- A feeling of grittiness in his eyes and excessive dryness
- Continuously watery eyes
- An intolerance of bright lights and difficulty seeing in low light
- Swelling in his upper or lower eyelids
- Inflammation and extreme behind his eyes
- Excessive redness of his eyes and lids
- Blurred, double vision and peripheral vision loss
- Pain and difficulty moving his eyes
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Racing heart
- Depression
- Fever, headache and muscle aches
- Fatigue and Exhaustion
Recap of expenses:
$14,000 ($28,000 total) for two separate eye surgeries.
$1600 for a minimum of four CT Scans before and after the surgery.
$1100 estimated travel and lodging expense.
$ 600-$1000 rough estimate for medication, labs and other post-op necessities.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about us and for your love, compassion and any heartfelt donation that you can provide.
Love, Lynniel and Beto <3
P.O. Box 2883 Sedona, Arizona 86339
Lynniel's email: [email redacted]
Paypal: email address or paypal.me/LCostelli
Donate through: Lynniel's Facebook Messenger
Dear Friends and Family,
It is with extreme difficultly we humbly ask our friends, family or anyone who is able for help in savings Beto's eyesight!
Beto urgently needs specialized eye surgery or he will lose his vision completely. Each eye surgery will cost $14,000 (Total: $28,000). He will need an additional $1600 for a minimum of four CT Scans before and after the surgery. The hospital is in Scottsdale which is a 4-hour round trip with an elevation difference of 3300 feet. He is required to be there the day before and following each operation for post-op observation. Travel and lodging expense is $1100 (conservative estimate). We were given a rough estimate of between $600-$1000 for additional expenses after the surgery, such as; prescription/medication, sterile dressings, labwork, etc...
Beto is currently employed full time but does not have medical insurance and we do not have the money to cover the medical expenses. At this time we have already gone through our entire savings paying cash for endless doctor appointments, vision testing, CT scans, labs, and monthly prescriptions.
Over the past nine months while also submerged in profound grief everyday over the loss of his beloved mother, Beto is completely and understandably overwhelmed. He gets out of bed every day and appears almost super-human as he continues to work full-time as a professional chef while battling this debilitating illness that is now threatening to take his eyesight completely.
Nothing gives Beto more joy than creating artistic, wholesome meals for friends and strangers alike. Anyone who knows him knows that being a chef is his greatest passion. He is a proud, hard-working man and isn't used to asking for help - He is the one who is always quick to help those in need.
Beto's Endocrinologist, Ophthalmologist, and Oculoplastic Surgeon all agree, "Beto is at a crucial stage where time is of the essence and getting the bilateral orbital decompression surgery immediately is critical in saving his eyesight.
Prognosis and Recovery:
The Oculoplastic Surgeon has complete confidence that the operation will be fully successful in repairing the current damage and preventing blindness. Beto will be restricted from work until he is completely healed; approximately four weeks from start to finish. Then he can expect to return to work full time and pursue his love of cooking.
About the disease:
Thyroid Eye Disease: "TED" – also known as Graves’ Orbitopathy or Ophthalmopathy – is an autoimmune condition. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the tissue surrounding the eye causing inflammation in the tissues around and behind the eye. Less than 5% of people with "TED" become severe and unfortunately, Beto is within that 5%.
Beto has a very advanced condition that is aggressively attacking his vision. The inflammation is so severe that his eyes are being pushed forward and because the eyelids are pulled open by the muscles, he has difficulty closing his eyelids; even when he is asleep. This can lead to corneal ulcers which causes scarring and permanent loss of vision. The constant orbital pressure causes hemorrhaging-like redness of the eyes, surface tissue scaring, pain and a decrease in vision. When the nerve is compressed as bad as his, color vision is abnormal, lights may seem dimmer than usual, the sharpness of the vision decreases, and peripheral vision is compromised. Without the surgical treatment this will progress to permanent loss of vision.
The following is a list of the symptoms Beto struggles with every day:
- A feeling of grittiness in his eyes and excessive dryness
- Continuously watery eyes
- An intolerance of bright lights and difficulty seeing in low light
- Swelling in his upper or lower eyelids
- Inflammation and extreme behind his eyes
- Excessive redness of his eyes and lids
- Blurred, double vision and peripheral vision loss
- Pain and difficulty moving his eyes
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Racing heart
- Depression
- Fever, headache and muscle aches
- Fatigue and Exhaustion
Recap of expenses:
$14,000 ($28,000 total) for two separate eye surgeries.
$1600 for a minimum of four CT Scans before and after the surgery.
$1100 estimated travel and lodging expense.
$ 600-$1000 rough estimate for medication, labs and other post-op necessities.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about us and for your love, compassion and any heartfelt donation that you can provide.
Love, Lynniel and Beto <3
Organizer
Lynniel Costelli
Organizer
Sedona, AZ
