Barney's Medical Fund

I have started a gofundme account for my Stepdad, Barney!!!  For those that know Barney, know that he is a loving father, Grandfather, Husband, Brother, friend, Boss, Co-Worker, Friend, and so much more!  His whole world is his family and his Grandkids especially.

Over the past month he just hasn't felt well.  He went to the Doctor on Monday August 29th, and the only diagnosis was low blood pressure.  This was odd, because he usually struggles with high blood pressure.  During the course of the week, he just didn't feel right.  Thursday night, he had a few fainting spells which were completley out of the oridinary... this had never happend before.  The next day (Friday) he slept in bed all day.  On Saturday, he had planned to visit his Daughter Paige and two grandsons, Hunter & Gunner! This was a trip he looked forward every time.  My Mom tried talking him out of going, and going to the ER instead... he refused, as he wanted so badly to visit Paige and the boys.  He was weak, tired, lethargic and couldn't walk very well.  Luckily, Bob (Barney's Brother) drove with him to Arkansas.  In the meantime, Vicki called Paige and his Brother to brief them on the fainting spells as well as his overall and unusual demeanor.  Immediately upon his arrival, Paige could tell he was not himself... he was queit, confused and stumbled rather than walked.  Instead of playing with the boys like he usually did, he was queit, reserved and very off.  That afternoon, Paige took him to the ER when she realized his confused thoughts were not normal.  She knew something was wrong.  That day was when it all changed so quickly.... 

The hospital ran several tests, which found fluid on his brain and a 3 cm brain tumor.  At this moment was when the shock overcame us all.  Within a week, he went from being his normal silly self, to not being able to walk, talk much or remember things like family or where he was!  

Over the course of a couple days in the hospital, all of the questions began.... is the tumor malignant, is it operable, will his memory return, is there permanent brain damage, will he ever walk again, etc., etc....... He was in Arkansas and they were deciding whether or not to do brain surgery there or in Texas.  The risk in transporting him to TX was far too much to take.  Therefore, they decided to transfer him to a larger hospital in Arkansas... in Little Rock.  There they have a bigger neurosurgery department.  

All while dealing with the preparations for brain surgery as well as the many questions, Barney did not have insurance, so the fear of them refusing to do surgery at any moment was at an all time high.

As of today... we are waiting on Barney to be transfered to the hospital in Little Rock, where they will hopefully move forward with the surgery.  With the location of the brain tumor, the sooner it is removed, the better!!!! We are all on pins and needles at this point.  

The surgery, physical therapy, medical equipment, at-home care will all add up quickly.  The hotel expenses, meals and out-of-pocket ambulance expense are alread accumulating.  With Barney having to quit his job and Vicki having to take a long-term leave from her job, the bills, expenses and overall financial burdens will accumulate in no time.  Therefore, I am setting up the GoFundMe Account to ask for anyone that has anything to give to please consider Barney and his family.  The funds will be used to cover all of the expenses for the surgery, hopsital, transportation to Texas, Physical Therapy, at home care, equipment, meals, bills, and much, much more!!!!!!  I ask that you donate as little as $1 or up to as much as you have to give.  The generosity of our family and friends has been extremely overwhelming and I thank you all in advance for your contribution to Barney's quickly growing expenses.

In the meantime, we are applying for Emergency Medicaid which will hopefully be approved.  Again, keep your fingers crossed!!!!!!!

Also, at a later date and once we have a little more information we will set up a benefit to help rais funds as well.  

Again, any little bit helps.  I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, Barney's heart, my Mom's Heart, Paige's heart and all of our family and friends!!!!

Last but not least, continue to pray and keep Barney in your thoughts and prayers...

With love,
Kerri (aka as Barney calls me "Mariah Carey") 

*I will continue to update everyone the best I can and as often as I can*