Alan's Brain Surg/Recover#HALESTRONG

Where do I begin??? My name is Kim Hale. I am a wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and pediatric respiratory therapist. I have been extremely hesitant to sign up for this page. I have never considered myself as someone who likes to ask for help. Neither is my husband. A friend / coworker asked if she could do this for me. I decided everyone, including my husband, should hear it from me. We were raised to work hard and handle problems as they come. This task has been very difficult for me with our current situation. My husband, Alan Hale,  is a truck driver. He has been our sole provider for 20 of our 24 years together. He has consistently worked 60 + hours a week delivering food so people can eat. He has missed countless games, vacations, school events, family get togethers, etc. to provide for his family and others.  He suddenly lost hearing in his right ear in December of 2014. We found out on New Year's Eve that it was due to a tumor he has growing on his aucoustic nerve. It is called VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMA,  or Aucoustic Neuroma.  This nerve connects to the brain stem. The tumor at that time was a few millimeters away from the brainstem. We were told at that time it was probably benign.  We were both shocked to put it lightly. These types of tumors are very rare. We were told that at this time surgery would not be an option without huge risk of stroke on the table or paralysis. The surgery is considered brain surgery, even though it doesn't originate in the brain itself. So, we waited. Over the next few months we both struggled with depression and anxiety. Our then 7 year old daughter, Marissa, and then 20 year old son, Taylor, were the main 2 things that helped us both push through day to day life. We have both learned to respect life more and cherish the gift called life. We try to enjoy time with family and friends more than ever before. We have had many ups and downs in our marriage like most people. This tumor has taught us both how to love one another in a way like never before.  It is very difficult to express all of this openly. During 2015 Alan struggled with tinnitus [ringing in his bad ear] daily, vertigo, mood swings, [very common with this type of tumor], not to mention the stress that comes along knowing you have a brain tumor that could paralyze or kill you.  Scared was an understatement!! Alan has always been a very extreme sort of guy. Balance issues are not helping him live the life he always had. Jump forward to August 2016. Alan starts getting  headaches, tingling in face, and a constant grinding sound on his right side and a feeling as if drugged. Fatigue is worse now. This has NEVER been an issue for this "machine", lol , as he calls himself.  After alot of research I have found a place nearby that has an awesome success rate removing these types of tumors with little to no side effects. There may even be a chance for an internal implant that may could help revive or restore his hearing . Vanderbilt Skull Base Center in Nashville, Tn. The idea of traveling for treatment is enough to make Alan and I feel even more stressed. How will he be able to provide for us, how will we afford tests,treatments, surgery and travel expenses while we are both off work to get it done??? Paying our bills is something that seems so minute when compared to helping him. Alan will read this and know how I feel about all of this. It is not something we have talked much about to be honest. We have kinda ignored the issue. The other day Alan FINALLY asked me to HELP HIM and told me he is SCARED. This is not something he has ever said to me in the 29 years I've known him. I have been scared this entire time. So,  here I am asking for your help. Anything that you can do is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. We are not going to give up without a fight. I am not ready to even start thinking about life without my love. Help us get this husband, daddy, son, brother, generous friend, and hardworking man well and back to his normal silly and extreme self. He has so much more life left to live. Thank you in advance from our family and God Bless!!!NASHVILLE HERE WE COME!!
#HALESTRONG