Gary Balcom
Donation protected
On Saturday morning (March 17th), while playing hockey with the Hamm’s No Stars, in International Falls, Gary ran into an opposing player and jammed his neck. He stayed on the ice and was eventually given an ambulance ride to the local hospital. It was there it was determined Gary had broken his C1 and C2 (upper neck). Gary had and has all his fingers and toes working as they went numb briefly after the initial contact. Saturday afternoon Gary was airlifted from the Falls to North Memorial hospital in the cities. He was placed in ICU.
He has met with the surgeon today (March 19th) and it was determined that he will undergo surgery tomorrow (March 20th). The surgery will take 4-5 hours in which the doctors will do a fusion to C1 and C2 to stabilize the vertebrae (those hold up the head). Screws will also be placed for stability by a Neurosurgeon. He will then have a stabilization collar which he will wear for 12 weeks. He will not be allowed to drive or work for three months. The hospital stay will depend on if he passes all “the requirements” and there are no complications during surgery.
There will be many expenses the Balcom’s will have as Gary undergoes surgery and recovery time. Gary started a new job shortly before he was injured and it is unsure how much or little the insurance will cover. They do know that he will be unable to work for at least 3 months and he will not have any income during that time (no disability, etc.) Gary and his family will be faced with many expenses; ambulance, hospital bills, Lifeline (helicopter) ride, surgery(ies), therapy, gas for Diana to travel to and from hospital and home, and many other medical expenses.
Gary has a long road of recovery ahead, Diana will be his wife, support system, nurse, and care taker, please lift this family up and keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this long journey ahead. If you also feel you would like to help financially, it would be greatly appreciated.
We have set up a this Go Fund Me page for the Balcom’s in hopes that we can help lessen the burden financially as Gary heals.
Respectfully,
Hamm’s No Stars & Hamm’s Some Stars
Hockey Teams
He has met with the surgeon today (March 19th) and it was determined that he will undergo surgery tomorrow (March 20th). The surgery will take 4-5 hours in which the doctors will do a fusion to C1 and C2 to stabilize the vertebrae (those hold up the head). Screws will also be placed for stability by a Neurosurgeon. He will then have a stabilization collar which he will wear for 12 weeks. He will not be allowed to drive or work for three months. The hospital stay will depend on if he passes all “the requirements” and there are no complications during surgery.There will be many expenses the Balcom’s will have as Gary undergoes surgery and recovery time. Gary started a new job shortly before he was injured and it is unsure how much or little the insurance will cover. They do know that he will be unable to work for at least 3 months and he will not have any income during that time (no disability, etc.) Gary and his family will be faced with many expenses; ambulance, hospital bills, Lifeline (helicopter) ride, surgery(ies), therapy, gas for Diana to travel to and from hospital and home, and many other medical expenses.
Gary has a long road of recovery ahead, Diana will be his wife, support system, nurse, and care taker, please lift this family up and keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this long journey ahead. If you also feel you would like to help financially, it would be greatly appreciated.
We have set up a this Go Fund Me page for the Balcom’s in hopes that we can help lessen the burden financially as Gary heals.
Respectfully,
Hamm’s No Stars & Hamm’s Some Stars
Hockey Teams
Organiser and beneficiary
Hamms Hockey Teams
Organiser
Zimmerman, MN
Diana Balcom
Beneficiary
