Hannah Drake - Medical Bills

A Family in Need...
       Last week Hannah went for a routine eye exam for new glasses. Hannah was not looking forward to having her eyes dilated. So, to prevent having to dilate Hannah's eyes, the technician instead tried to perform a test using a machine. After repeated attempts, the technician told Hannah's mom, Connie that the machine wasn't working properly and the doctor would have to dialate Hannah's eyes after all. Connie was concerned but it wasn't until after the doctor dialated Hannah's eyes that she realized something must be wrong. The doctor told them Hannah had Papilledema, swelling of the optic nerve, most often due to increased intracranial pressure. Papilledema requires an immediate search for the cause. Hannah was sent for an MRI to rule out a brain tumor and a spinal tap to make sure there was no infection in her spinal fluid.

       Hannah had an MRI, and praise the Lord, she does not have a brain tumor. The radiologist suspected that the cause of the increased intracranial pressure was pseudotumor cerebri. (PTC is caused by high pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain and symptoms mimic those of a brain tumor although no tumor is present.) Hannah was sent for followed up with a neurologist and was admitted to St. Frances Hospital yesterday to have a spinal tap. The neurologist removed some spinal fluid and sent the fluid for testing. Her spinal fluid pressure was 390. Normal is 150. Hannah's doctor said that with the level of elevated spinal fluid pressure that she has, it is a "miracle" that she has not gone blind.

       Because the spinal fluid pressure was so high, the doctor admitted her to PICU. Hannah was monitored over night and suffered from back and neck pain which is considered normal after a spinal tap. Today, the opthomologist came to evaluate her and remains concerned about the optic nerve swelling. The opthomologist also reported that Hannah has a larger than expected blind spot and her vision has gone from 20/25 to 20/70 within a week's time. After consulting with the neurologist, both doctors decided to keep Hannah in the hospital to start her on steroids and repeat the spinal tap again tomorrow to determine if the spinal fluid pressure has increased. The physicians remain puzzled and cannot explain why Hannah is having the high spinal fluid pressure. 

       As I sit here and take in all the news of Hannah's condition, my heart hurts for this family. This is my family, Hannah is my 10 year old cousin. Hannah does not have any medical insurance coverage. She has been a very healthy, thriving child up to this point. Connie works for one of the largest orthopedic clinics in Northwest Louisiana and has been fortunate enough to be able to care for her family's health needs through the physicians at the clinic. Never would they be prepared to take on a illness that would require admission to the pediatric intensive care unit, multiple spinal taps, MRIs, and the other medical expenses to come.

       I ask that you say a prayer for this family...Johnny, Connie (Stanford), Wesley, and Hannah. Then I ask you to consider donating whatever your heart leads you to donate to help fund Hannah's medical expenses. Any amount helps, no matter how small. And please share this page so that others can help.

       We spend so much time raising money for and donating to the big causes and foundations but sometimes its the neighbor next door, the friend, or the family member whose needs go unnoticed and whose live's we can impact most. I don't want Hannah's needs to go unnoticed.

       Thank you for caring about my family! And thank you for your prayers and donations! We will keep you updated on Hannah's condition.