Brain Surgery for Doug
One Head – Many Hearts
Updated: 11/4/2018
On July 17, 2018 my brother, Doug Morneau, was scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ron L. Alterman, Head of Neurosurgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The procedure was to insert a Cranial Neurostimulator Pulse Generator with Receiver and Connecting Electrode Arrays. In simpler terms, this is a deep brain stimulator connected to a programmer located in the chest to combat the effects of his debilitating disease.
While this surgical procedure has had positive results in parts of Europe, it is not yet FDA approved in the United States. Therefore, Doug’s medical insurance denied authorization and financing under his coverage plan.
Doug was born and raised and resides in Southern Maine, is a parishioner of Good Shepherd Parish and was in the automotive dealership business for over 20 years. His terrible ordeal started in October of 2016 when he developed a chronic form of “Intractable Cluster Headache Syndrome.” NOT to be confused with migraines, this condition is severe and referred to as “Suicide Headaches” by many medical providers. There is no cure, 1 in 1000 is diagnosed; 10% of those are chronic and limited treatment available.
His cluster headache episodes initially started once every few weeks, steadily increased in frequency and as of October 2018 have become daily. Each episode is completely debilitating with excruciating pain levels of 10+ and requires 4 to 8 hours in the emergency room with multiple intravenous medications to manage the severity of his pain. Doug describes this pain sensation of “an icepick driven through his eye”.
From January 2018 to October of 2018 alone, Doug has been in the Emergency Room over 100 times and hospitalized for 6 days of DHE IV Infusions. He has received 2 Trigeminal Nerve Block Injection procedures under anesthesia, 27 Occipital Nerve Block Injections, 3 Botox injection series and many other forms of treatment. To date, these treatments have not been effective. Currently, Doug is pending scheduling for a surgical procedure, Cervical Radiofrequency Ablation, which will burn the nerves affecting the left eye and location of the cluster pain. If successful this procedure could give him months of relief and possibly allow him to work in some capacity. However, this procedure is only a temporary solution as the nerves grow back. The duration of relief is unknown and ultimately he will still need the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery.
It’s a vicious reoccurring nightmare that won’t stop! I cannot convey the depth of sorrow that his suffering has brought our family. While he endures the horrific physical agony, we endure unsurpassed heartache witnessing his pain. As a result, I am on a quest to finance the surgery he so desperately needs. The Deep Brain Stimulation surgery is not a cure and the degree of effectiveness is unknown, but at the very least it can give him a chance. Please find it in your hearts to join my quest and give my brother a chance for both quality of life and a brighter future.
Proceeds, less site fees, will go to finance the surgical affiliated costs and hospital fees. Any remaining proceeds will be utilized towards the enormous debt accumulated thus far and likely ongoing from this disheartening disease.
Please keep Doug in your prayers and may you be truly blessed in your service of a brother!
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
“Collectively We Can”
Updated: 11/4/2018
On July 17, 2018 my brother, Doug Morneau, was scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ron L. Alterman, Head of Neurosurgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The procedure was to insert a Cranial Neurostimulator Pulse Generator with Receiver and Connecting Electrode Arrays. In simpler terms, this is a deep brain stimulator connected to a programmer located in the chest to combat the effects of his debilitating disease.
While this surgical procedure has had positive results in parts of Europe, it is not yet FDA approved in the United States. Therefore, Doug’s medical insurance denied authorization and financing under his coverage plan.
Doug was born and raised and resides in Southern Maine, is a parishioner of Good Shepherd Parish and was in the automotive dealership business for over 20 years. His terrible ordeal started in October of 2016 when he developed a chronic form of “Intractable Cluster Headache Syndrome.” NOT to be confused with migraines, this condition is severe and referred to as “Suicide Headaches” by many medical providers. There is no cure, 1 in 1000 is diagnosed; 10% of those are chronic and limited treatment available.
His cluster headache episodes initially started once every few weeks, steadily increased in frequency and as of October 2018 have become daily. Each episode is completely debilitating with excruciating pain levels of 10+ and requires 4 to 8 hours in the emergency room with multiple intravenous medications to manage the severity of his pain. Doug describes this pain sensation of “an icepick driven through his eye”.
From January 2018 to October of 2018 alone, Doug has been in the Emergency Room over 100 times and hospitalized for 6 days of DHE IV Infusions. He has received 2 Trigeminal Nerve Block Injection procedures under anesthesia, 27 Occipital Nerve Block Injections, 3 Botox injection series and many other forms of treatment. To date, these treatments have not been effective. Currently, Doug is pending scheduling for a surgical procedure, Cervical Radiofrequency Ablation, which will burn the nerves affecting the left eye and location of the cluster pain. If successful this procedure could give him months of relief and possibly allow him to work in some capacity. However, this procedure is only a temporary solution as the nerves grow back. The duration of relief is unknown and ultimately he will still need the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery.
It’s a vicious reoccurring nightmare that won’t stop! I cannot convey the depth of sorrow that his suffering has brought our family. While he endures the horrific physical agony, we endure unsurpassed heartache witnessing his pain. As a result, I am on a quest to finance the surgery he so desperately needs. The Deep Brain Stimulation surgery is not a cure and the degree of effectiveness is unknown, but at the very least it can give him a chance. Please find it in your hearts to join my quest and give my brother a chance for both quality of life and a brighter future.
Proceeds, less site fees, will go to finance the surgical affiliated costs and hospital fees. Any remaining proceeds will be utilized towards the enormous debt accumulated thus far and likely ongoing from this disheartening disease.
Please keep Doug in your prayers and may you be truly blessed in your service of a brother!
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
“Collectively We Can”