John McCarthys medical expenses
Donation protected
Best friend in high school, volunteer fireman for 16yrs, carpenter, brother, son, friend husband and Daddy...these are how we know John McCarthy. The man that would always help anyone, give the shirt off his back or his last dollar.
In December of 2013, John went out of his 3 jobs for what was supposed to be 4-6 weeks of physical therapy.. Drs thought he threw his back out...after a fews weeks, the drs realized it was much more. We were sent to a wonderful neurologist who diagnosed John with ridiculopathy and an unknown neurological disorder like MS.
He has had countless ct scans, mri, bloodwork, xrays, spinal injections and finally had to have a spinal stimulator implanted on his spine. He takes 6 - 8 medicines a day to help control his pain, tremors, migraines and neurological movement.
As frustrating as John is...as our friends know...lol. No-one can understand what he deals with daily. He describes the constant pain to me as stabbing, burning, sometimes breath taking...he has lost most of the feeling of his legs., he walks short distances as long as he can hold on to something, he says sometimes he is remembering how to walk, because he cant feel hs legs. At least once a month he suffers from a status migraine that is blinding and last from 4-11days. John uses a wheelchair most of the time now or his walker around the yard.
He is still just Dad to 4 kids...our baby thinks his wheelchair is just like her stroller, she loves to ride on his lap and say "weeeee". He never misses a school function for the kids and tries hard to make all the softball games! Even the ones where its almost impossible to get a wheelchair thru. Lol
Im am thankful for the health insurance we have, but it doesn't cover everything. With 5-6 dr appts a month...he has 4 neurologists , prescriptions, medical equipment...its not enough. John currently sleeps , as much as he can, in a recliner because he can not lay flat in a bed without excruciating pain. We are trying to get him a hospital bed, so he can adjust his positioning and have the railings to help pull himself up, our insurance only pays 80%. We are working wi t h Habitat for Humanity to make our home wheelchair accessible, but they do require we pay a portion of the bill.
I thank everyone who takes the time to read this. It is very hard to put it into words and I agonized over asking for help, I try to handle things on my own. John worked 3 jobs before his disabilty and I worked 2. He now only receives LTD from 1 job. I worked until March when John was hospitalized for 4 days with a Satus migraine and neurological misfire flare. I plan to go back to work when we get John more stable.
If you are able to help or know a company that will donate or help, I will be eternally thankful. If you can just say a prayer or sprinkle some pixie dust, we are just as grateful!!!
John will eventually lose all use of his legs and his short term memory gets worse everyday...but his heart is still full and he rolls on in his wheelchair and I will always be next to him or behind him pushing.
Cherish every moment you have with the ones you love. Never wait to say I love you or to do that special thing you say can wait one more day. Life changes on a dime.
Thank you!!!
Colleen
In December of 2013, John went out of his 3 jobs for what was supposed to be 4-6 weeks of physical therapy.. Drs thought he threw his back out...after a fews weeks, the drs realized it was much more. We were sent to a wonderful neurologist who diagnosed John with ridiculopathy and an unknown neurological disorder like MS.
He has had countless ct scans, mri, bloodwork, xrays, spinal injections and finally had to have a spinal stimulator implanted on his spine. He takes 6 - 8 medicines a day to help control his pain, tremors, migraines and neurological movement.
As frustrating as John is...as our friends know...lol. No-one can understand what he deals with daily. He describes the constant pain to me as stabbing, burning, sometimes breath taking...he has lost most of the feeling of his legs., he walks short distances as long as he can hold on to something, he says sometimes he is remembering how to walk, because he cant feel hs legs. At least once a month he suffers from a status migraine that is blinding and last from 4-11days. John uses a wheelchair most of the time now or his walker around the yard.
He is still just Dad to 4 kids...our baby thinks his wheelchair is just like her stroller, she loves to ride on his lap and say "weeeee". He never misses a school function for the kids and tries hard to make all the softball games! Even the ones where its almost impossible to get a wheelchair thru. Lol
Im am thankful for the health insurance we have, but it doesn't cover everything. With 5-6 dr appts a month...he has 4 neurologists , prescriptions, medical equipment...its not enough. John currently sleeps , as much as he can, in a recliner because he can not lay flat in a bed without excruciating pain. We are trying to get him a hospital bed, so he can adjust his positioning and have the railings to help pull himself up, our insurance only pays 80%. We are working wi t h Habitat for Humanity to make our home wheelchair accessible, but they do require we pay a portion of the bill.
I thank everyone who takes the time to read this. It is very hard to put it into words and I agonized over asking for help, I try to handle things on my own. John worked 3 jobs before his disabilty and I worked 2. He now only receives LTD from 1 job. I worked until March when John was hospitalized for 4 days with a Satus migraine and neurological misfire flare. I plan to go back to work when we get John more stable.
If you are able to help or know a company that will donate or help, I will be eternally thankful. If you can just say a prayer or sprinkle some pixie dust, we are just as grateful!!!
John will eventually lose all use of his legs and his short term memory gets worse everyday...but his heart is still full and he rolls on in his wheelchair and I will always be next to him or behind him pushing.
Cherish every moment you have with the ones you love. Never wait to say I love you or to do that special thing you say can wait one more day. Life changes on a dime.
Thank you!!!
Colleen
Organizer
Colleen McCarthy
Organizer
Levittown, PA