Expenses for the Simpsons

My name is Kristy. I’m starting a go fund me for my brother, Kyle. Kyle came home last Thursday from school telling my Dad (Bryan) and Julie(my step mom) he had a bad headache and his vision was blurry. They took him to the ER last Thursday, then sent him to an ophthalmologist who then redirected them back to another ER. Admitted him to the hospital for a MRI and CT scan that evening. They then transported him him Atrium Levine in Cabarrus because they determined he need a pediatric ophthalmologist where they did a spinal tap. He stayed Friday through Monday afternoon running all kinds of test trying to figure out what was wrong. He has really blurred vision and and he’s really unsteady on his feet. They think he has NMO. It’s an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to the eyes, spinal cord and sometimes the brain. It isn’t curable, but it’s treatable. They started him Sunday, on the first treatment which was a very strong iv steroid which was supposed to be for 5 days. Monday, they determined that the steroids don’t seem to be helping. He’s progressively gotten worse. His vision isn’t better, he’s very weak and now has very slurred speech. The doctor said he’ll get worse before he gets better. They decided to transport him yesterday afternoon to Wake Forest to get plasma transfusions which is where they remove blood in his body through a machine that separates his red blood, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. They get rid of the plasma and replace it with another substance and hopefully this will help him get better and help with his main symptom, his vision. For now, unfortunately, it’s trial and error to get him better. Many more test and scans to see if what they think he has is actually NMO or to find a treatment plan that works to get him better. His most recent update is that his MRI showed no deterioration and his speech has gotten better. That is really good news. Still waiting on test results. They recently added an antibiotic . Scheduled another plasma exchange, that's the second of 5 scheduled.

Kyle is a strong 16 year old kid who was completely fine up until last Thursday. He is a Sophomore at Parkwood. His life is WRESTLING which has been taken away from him. He was ranked #1 in the state in his weight class (113). He will no longer be able to compete at states this year. He’s weak and he is depressed as any 16 year old would be. Calls and texts are helpful and visits from friends are encouraging and uplifting. He needs lots of prayer (and so does my Dad, step mom and older brother, Caleb to be strong for him).

Everyone wants to know what they can do to help? We are their army right now. A way to help them right now would to help cover medical expenses, food and possibly lodging if they have an extended stay at Wake. My Dad is using vacation time from work which could run out. He doesn’t have an option to be remote and even when Kyle is able to come home, he still has a long road ahead to recovery. If he does have definite NMO, this would help with long term care medications and specialist visits. It would take one less stress off of them. My oldest younger brother is in college and obviously wants to be there for his brother so this will help with his traveling expenses to and from school to go see him when he’s allowed as well. They aren’t the ones to ask for help, but to give it to someone else instead. I know it would mean a lot to them if you can help, but if you can’t, PRAY. Pray for their strength and Gods healing to help the medical team help my brother get better and share this even if you can’t monetarily help.