Blikman Medical Fundraiser

Hi all, many of you may be aware that it’s been an awful journey of pain for our sister Chantalle these past couple of years. (Thank you to all who have been praying with us, we are so grateful!!). Long story short: They're now in a desperate situation financially after Chantalle's operation (6 Sep). It’s not easy asking for help, but we’re reaching out to community and loved ones to see if we can help lift even some of this burden for them. Full story below:

19 months ago, Chantalle & Bastiaan’s lives were hit with an unthinkable reality. The kind of thing you think only happens in nightmares. Chantalle woke up one day with excruciating head pain that never went away – not for a minute, not for a second – for 19 months.

The pain has since become more widespread over her head, face, eyes, neck, and shoulders – also daily unremitting pain. Chantalle has not been able to work, lift her children or do even simple physical activities that involve bending her neck, which basically amounts to almost everything.

Their lives were turned upside down and they have fought the toughest battle imaginable.

Chantalle’s case has stunned even the most respected pain specialists, doctors & neurologists – they call her their complicated case.

Chantalle has been admitted into hospital many times and trialled a total of 33 treatments including surgical procedures, IV infusions, medications, specialist physios and more - with no success.

Financially, their family has been hit very hard, as Chantalle cannot work and they have had

thousands of dollars in medical expenses already, all while having to provide for 3 young children.

Finally, they may have the answer to Chantalle’s pain! She met with a neurosurgeon in Sydney who specialises in peripheral nerve decompression and she was convinced Chantalle has Occipital Neuralgia, which is compression of the occipital nerves in the neck which serve the head. This surgeon is the only one in Australia who performs surgical decompression of these nerves. Chantalle underwent the surgery on 6th of September 2023 and the neurosurgeon found significant compression of her occipital nerves – some of the worst she has come across. Getting clarity was, however, encouraging to hear.

As Chantalle’s health insurance does not have agreements with many surgeons in Sydney, their health insurance HBF are only paying a total of $900 towards the $15,397.95 surgical fee. This came as quite a shock to them as they're supposed to be a health insurance company and Chantalle holds their highest level of hospital cover. They also only found out about this the day before the surgery, so it was quite disheartening. Overall, after Medicare cover, they are now out of pocket $11,400. This bill is quite a financial burden and they are feeling very stuck. They cannot get a loan either as they do not have the money to pay off a loan.

We are reaching out to anyone who feels in their heart that they would like to help Chantalle & her family. Even a small donation would go a long way. Together as a community, we are hoping to overcome this financial hardship that has landed in their path and to lighten some of their burden through this difficult time.

-- Angelique & James