Megan's Surgery

In November 2012 my daughter, Megan, was hospitalized for 18 days at University of Maryland Hospital for severe gastrointestinal problems. She couldn't keep down food and was experiencing a severe amount of discomfort and was losing weight by the day. Doctors could not determine the underlying cause but got her well enough to be sent home. The following five months she spent more time in the hospital than at home. Doctors finally determined the issue was an enlarged colon and prescribed physical therapy to alleviate the problem. But by July, Megan was not doing any better. In fact she had gotten worse. Surgeons decided the best course of action was to remove her colon and attach her small intestines to....well....I'll let you figure that out for yourself! Doctors said she should be just fine. She wasn't. Twice after "recovery" she was rushed to the ER unable to eat, unable to use the restroom, and in so much pain in her belly she could hardly get off the couch. On the second trip they did an ileostomy and fitted her with a colostomy bag. At the time it was a very real reality that she may have to wear the bag for the rest of her life. She was 22 years old at the time.

Her 23rd birthday is this Saturday (July 12th). It's some what of a miracle but she's been told she is healthy enough and physically ready to have the bag taken off. But all we heard was, you get to be normal again! We scheduled surgery for July 25...two weeks from now! The entire family couldn't believe this was actually happening! Then hospital called. Because she can technically live WITH the bag, removing the bag is considered and elective surgery meaning that insurance will only cover a portion of the surgery. They told us that they need $1500 by Monday, July 14th to continue with the surgery. To continue with my little girl being able to get a new lease on life. But like so many other families these days, we don't just have that kind of money sitting around. And we need to ask for help. Come hell or high water this surgery will happen. I will make sure of it. But today we ask you for help to ensure that this dream becomes a reality. Thank you so much for just visiting the page and hearing Megan's story. It's been a rough couple of years but there finally seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for us.