Chad Miller's GoFundMe- Chad's Challenge

In late November of 2021, Chad Miller began experiencing several severe symptoms that interrupted and negatively affected his daily life. Medical professionals could not give a definitive answer or reason for what was happening to Chad.

Since that time, Chad has spent 77 days in the hospital ranging from an extended stay at the University of Iowa Hospital, an extended stay at Mayo Clinic, and five separate trips to Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. Countless specialists, doctors, nurses, and medical team members have their hand in Chad’s rare case.

Chad has been diagnosed with Autoimmune encephalitis (with multiple lesions on his brain), osteoporosis, and insomnia. This combination has created difficulty for Chad with proper body temperature regulation, sleeping (too much/too little), and significant memory impairment (especially short-term memory), among other things. This has impacted all areas of daily functioning and living. Chad had to pause his pursuit of getting his master’s degree in Social Work after the first semester at the University of Illinois.

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE), is a rare disease that occurs when the immune system starts to produce antibodies that are not supposed to be there. These antibodies mistakenly identify healthy brain cells as foreign, thus triggering an autoimmune response to destroy those cells. The body’s own immune system is attacking the brain, causing inflammation that can lead to a variety of issues: seizures, hallucinations, memory loss, psychosis, impaired cognition, and paranoia, among other symptoms (https://autoimmune-encephalitis.org).

The current treatment plan developed by his medical team is to have weekly IVIG infusions, daily steroids, monthly Cytoxan, and plasma exchange, as well as additional daily medication for some of his most severe symptoms of AE.

This diagnosis has affected Chad’s entire family and especially his mother. Becky, Chad’s mom, has driven him each time, and she has spent those same 77 days in hotels near each of the hospitals. The mental, physical, emotional, and financial strain of having to keep bags packed, car keys nearby, and being prepared to leave instantly has taken a significant toll on his family. She has not been to her home in Mississippi in over 5 months.

First and foremost, I am asking each of you to pray for Chad, his family, and his medical staff. I am also asking you to consider making a donation on his GoFundMe page or through a savings account at First National Bank of Pana “Miller Family Special Fund”. The address of First National Bank of Pana is 306 South Locust Street; Pana, IL 62557.