Ang Pequeno Gleason Medical Fund

Many of you know my sister Angela Pequeno Gleason as a hard working, self supporting single mother and friend with a big heart, who has always helped others whenever she could. Ang or Angie, as she is known as by most, has been through many years of medical issues. Ang has undergone 17 surgeries over the past few years, as a result of cancer and then a slip and fall accident. After undergoing surgery for cancer and high doses of radiation to combat the cancer, she has had plates put in her neck, had to have the SI joint in both of her hips fused, reconstructive foot surgery and will soon undergo bilateral shoulder surgery, beginning with the left shoulder. Just over two years ago, along with the long list of other medical issues, Ang began having a ringing in her ear, commonly known as tinnitus. In a very short time it escalated to full vertigo episodes that became so debilitating, so quickly, that working was no longer possible and she was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. Ang has been out of work, with no income for two full years. Her strong will and spirit have helped her persevere through all of this but living with chronic illness and constant worry about having no income for years has taken a toll on her mentally and physically. She has been a patient at the University of Michigan Hospital for many years, first for her cancer treatments and now for the Meniere's Disease, she is under the medical care of Dr. Bradford, the head of OtoLaryngology and Dean of medicine, and surgeon Dr. Stucken. I have covered her living expenses for these past two years, since she has not been able to work. It is very difficult to put this out there, but covering living expenses for two households doesn't leave money for any thing else needed to help Ang. Anyone that knows us, knows we are very strong, hardworking and self reliant women that would never ask for help unless it was an absolute necessity, and sadly at this point it is necessary to reach out for that help. Ang will have to make many trips back and forth to the U of M Hospital over the next few months and these trips will require gas money, food and sometimes lodging money, when treatments leave her unable to come back the same day. She also needs maintenance on her vehicle so she is able to safely get back and forth to the hospital as it is two hours, each way, from home. The Meniere's and vertigo have become so bad that Ang has been mostly bed ridden for the past few weeks. On June 1st Ang went back to the U of M hospital and learned that the Meniere's is now so advanced it is affecting both ears, she has lost 65% of her hearing in her right ear and 62% in the left ear. Upon first diagnosis the Meniere's had only severely affected the right side. Because this is now diagnosed as bilateral Meniere's it has lessened treatment options by over 50%. The doctor's are trying to prevent total deafness while alleviating the daily misery life has become. At the June 1st visit Dr. Bradford discussed a Meniett device, stating that although it is not a cure by any means, it may offer some relief and a chance at having more functioning days without the extreme, tinnitus, nausea, dizziness and multitude of other symptoms caused by the Meniere's Disease, that she currently experiences, almost constantly at this point. Because it is not covered by Medicaid she has been placed on a waiting list for the Meniett device and the Dr.'s explained it may take many months or longer, before she would be next in line to receive the device. The tubes needed for the device were put in her ears at U of M on June 9, hoping we could come up with the money to have the first procedure done in three weeks. The device is between $3500 -$4000. It is a micro pressure therapy, that when done three times per day, has been found to be effective for the severe symptoms. Symptoms of Meniere's: Hearing loss, Dizziness/Lightheadedness, Spontaneous Violent Vertigo, Ear Fullness and Pain, Tinnitus, Vision Problems, Nausea and Vomiting, Extreme Fatigue, Mental Disorientation, Poor Physical Coordination, Mood Swings, Hyperacusis, Photosensitivity, Reactions to Food, Cold Sweat, Palpitations, or Rapid Pulse. Dr. Bradford said Ang's case is one of the worst she has ever seen, and she has seen many, as this is her area of expertise. Hearing aids can also help if worn during all waking hours and Ang does have one, that I was able to purchase for her, but she now needs a second one, which is not covered either. The second hearing aid which is desperately needed, will be approximately $3000. Also, the hearing aid batteries only last about nine hours and are approximately $12 each if purchased one at a time or about $6 each if bought in bulk of 100 at a time. With a new battery needed for each hearing aid, almost everyday, it will be too costly to keep up with on top of everything else. Dr. Bradford is helping with Ang's disability case but that is a very, very long process that has been ongoing for the past two years and could take many months or years to happen. Any amount at all will be a huge help and would be greatly appreciated!!
In
Saturday, June 3, 2017
4:13 PM