CO2 Laser Surgery for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hi! My name is Edward,

In Spring 2017, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Hidradenitis Suppurativa. This disease came into my life without any signs. I was, still, a premed student thriving through my college life, in love with my dreams of becoming a doctor. I got my first lump in February 2017; I remember it was under my armpit, and it was huge. I went to the ER thinking it was a boil and got it opened by the ER doctors with no anesthesia. It was the worst pain I have felt. Unfortunately, that was just the beginning, given that a few months later, I started presenting the same and bigger size boils around my body all at the same time, armpits, thighs, suprapubic area, thighs and buttocks. All I could remember was the excruciating pain; I couldn't walk, bathe, or do anything properly anymore. I became extremely depressed and lost my social life, academic life, self-esteem, and desire to live. Thankfully my family came together to help me fight this horrible disease, and after more than six different doctors, I finally met Dr. Alma Cruz. She prescribed me Humira and an antibiotic cocktail that helped me find some normality in my life.

In October 2017, Puerto Rico, where I grew up, was hit by Hurricane Maria. My quality of life decreased daily, given the lack of power, freshwater, and medical appointments. Therefore, I decided to move to Florida with my dad and continue with my pre-med bachelors at the University of Central Florida. I got relocated and found a fantastic doctor, Dr. Forman, who helped continue my treatment and keep my health steady. A few months after moving to Florida, I started to react the Humira. I was diagnosed with vasculitis, which is why Dr. Forman discontinued my treatment, and I started a new journey of finding another remedy that would work for me. I started presenting secondary infections due to my open wounds, and my disease was getting worse again. I tried more than five different treatments with no success; I hit a dead end again. After two years of suffering and disappointment after disappointment, I was able to get some relief after trying Remicade IV infusions every four weeks.

Last year, I had a horrible flare-up that resulted in a blood infection that traveled to my lungs and was close to getting my heart. I got pneumonia secondary to the disease, and I was in the ICU for almost a week. After having surgery on my buttocks to clean and drain all the accumulated infection between my wounds, my surgeon Dr. Horman referred me to Dr. Resnik. Dr. Resnik is a dermatologist that has proven to considerably improve the health of patients like me with HS by performing CO2 laser surgery. Dr, Resnik has treated me, and he has helped me reach a better quality of life by increasing my Remicade infusion dosage and treating me with ertapenem for three months. This new treatment prepared me for the actual surgery, drastically improving my physical health. After my surgery evaluation, I was informed that any health insurance recognizes this procedure as a treatment. Therefore, it needs to be paid out of pocket.

I need four surgeries, and each one of them has an approximate recovery time of three months. One surgery for both my armpits, another for my suprapubic area, and an individual surgery for each thigh. The quote for the four surgeries is 30,000$. I need to add rent money, medical supplies, follow-up appointments, etc.

I have never given up on my dreams through all these dark times, and I am currently in the last semester of my biomedicine bachelor's degree. I'm currently a full-time employee at Universal Orlando Resort. I don't have the income to cost this type of treatment, and I am afraid I will go back to the hospital if I don't take action soon.

Any help, even a prayer, will be deeply appreciated and if you can donate some time, know that just the thought of receiving support from a stranger brings tears to my eyes. Thanks in advance, and God bless you, even if you only read through all of this.