Be Allen's Miracle!
Hello! My sweet husband is Allen and he is currently an out-patient at Craig Hospital in Englewood, CO. After ten days of debilitating back, shoulder and neck pain and several trips to the doctor and emergency room Allen was diagnosed with a Staphylococcus Epidermis infection that settled in the cervical and upper thoracic section of his spinal column. By the time the infection was found, Allen was paralyzed. Emergency neurosurgery was conducted in the late hours of May 17, 2017 where they removed part of his spinal column in his neck to remove and treat the infection. Allen spent two weeks in the ICU recovering. We were absolutely blessed to be at Craig Hospital for spinal cord injury rehabilitation. However, due to the infection Allen lost some of the gains he had achieved and it was found that Allen’s C6 vertebra in his neck deteriorated and he had another surgery on July 14th to remove these vertebrae and install plates for stability. When we were admitted at Craig, they estimated we would be discharged on August 10, 2017, however with the additional surgery and medical recovery that was required before he could fully participate in therapy his inpatient discharge was extended to August 24, 2017.
Unfortunately, with a spinal cord injury, it will be a six to twenty-four months before we know how much mobility Allen will recover. While we are experiencing tiny miracles and blessings every day there are some items that will not be covered by insurance that Allen will need to have immediately or very soon after his discharge to our home. Insurance will provide Allen with a power wheelchair but we estimate the remaining expenses will be between $25,000-30,000. These funds will be used to cover our estimated outstanding medical treatment expenses ($4000), purchase a shower/commode chair that is appropriate for a person with a spinal cord injury ($4165), purchase a manual wheelchair to enhance Allen’s strength, mobility and independence inside and outside the home $4-5000), and purchase a van that can be converted for wheelchair accessability. It is our hope that the Paralyzed Veteran’s Association will help pay for the conversion.
We hope and pray that Allen will continue to experience tiny miracles every day and that at some point he will fully recover and not need these items. If we were provided this blessing these items will be donated to Craig Hospital continue to bless someone else in need.
