Joseph Merriam (Medical Funding)
Donation protected
Joseph Ricky Merriam was born November 17, 2013. After a few days in the NICU, he was released home. On February 6, Joseph had the first of several episodes. He would be awake, playing and cooing and suddenly fall limp, stop breathing, turn blue.
There has not been any explanation or diagnosis met even after second and third opinions. Several diagnostic tests were done (MRI, EEGs, EKG, echocardiogram, swallow studies, pneumograms, impedance test, lab work, lumbar punctures) without alarming results. He had a bronchoscopy done and diagnosed with minor laryngomalcia (floppy epiglottis), and had a surgry (Nissen Fundolplication) to fix the very minor reflux issue he had. These did not help reduce or eliminate the episodes. They look like seizures to most, but do not show up in the diagnostic tests for seizures. It's a complicated, frustrating case.
In the meantime, Jill has been unable to work to be with Joseph while he has been in and out of the hospital. Tyler does as much as he can, while being present with his family. Prayers are being heard, as there are doctors that refuse to give up hope of finding a cause for the seizure-like activity.
The donations raised here will go toward paying for medical bills and the costs of being in and out of the hospital in the fight to keep Joseph a healthy boy.
To read more and be updated on Joseph's health, please visit his CaringBridge website at:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/josephmerriam
There has not been any explanation or diagnosis met even after second and third opinions. Several diagnostic tests were done (MRI, EEGs, EKG, echocardiogram, swallow studies, pneumograms, impedance test, lab work, lumbar punctures) without alarming results. He had a bronchoscopy done and diagnosed with minor laryngomalcia (floppy epiglottis), and had a surgry (Nissen Fundolplication) to fix the very minor reflux issue he had. These did not help reduce or eliminate the episodes. They look like seizures to most, but do not show up in the diagnostic tests for seizures. It's a complicated, frustrating case.
In the meantime, Jill has been unable to work to be with Joseph while he has been in and out of the hospital. Tyler does as much as he can, while being present with his family. Prayers are being heard, as there are doctors that refuse to give up hope of finding a cause for the seizure-like activity.
The donations raised here will go toward paying for medical bills and the costs of being in and out of the hospital in the fight to keep Joseph a healthy boy.
To read more and be updated on Joseph's health, please visit his CaringBridge website at:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/josephmerriam
Organizer
Amy Webb
Organizer
Brookings, SD
