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OUR STORY
Not one to ask for help easily, circumstances are now demanding I seek your help for my son Jelle ("Jay") Horckmans and his sweet family
My son waited for 13 years to fulfil his dream: living in America.
January 21, 2015 he was finally able to become permanent resident, together with his family: wife Els and adorable daughter Maya.
Coming from Belgium Els and Jelle found jobs in a difficult economy, determined to make their lives in the States work.
And now it seems to fall apart with the speed of a freight train, because of this disease. My husband and I helped as much as we could, but we are both retired and living on a fixed income. That only stretches so far...
COCCI MENIGITIS
Jelle was diagnosed with Valley fever 2 years ago and incorrectly cleared from this disease 6 months later.
7 months ago he started suffering from unbearable headaches and painful stiffness in the neck.
Countless visits to the ER and UC were without results.
Until one day, his headache was so severe that he begged me to take him to a doctor. By the time I picked him up he was incoherent, speaking gibberish and clearly in unbearable pain. I brought him to Mercy Gilbert Hospital where they immediately feared for meningitis (even though the CT-scan was clear as well) and they did a lumbar puncture on authority of the ER doctor, whom I cannot thank enough
He was diagnosed with Cocci meningitis (fungal meningitis, stemming from the Valley Fever. )
By not being diagnosed in time, the fungus had spread to his brain. (Here is the link to the disease. I include this as a warning for all people who attract Valley Fever in the Southwest) :
http://www.activebeat.co/your-health/10-signs-and-symptoms-of-meningitis/)
It is a very rare form of meningitis and extremely difficult to treat. They fought with all they had in Mercy Gilbert, until it became clear that fluid was building up in his brain and he had to have surgery to place a shunt in his head. This will take care of the drainage, which is now blocked by the fungus. That is when they transported him to Chandler Regional Hospital. The surgery went well, but there is still the infection to fight with medication, so he is not out of the woods yet.
COSTS AND CONSEQUENCES
All these visits to ER's and UC's did not come cheap. There is a high deductible of $4,860 for 2016 and a new one for 2017. On top of the cost of all the medicine that never helped.
He was in Gilbert Mercy from 5/1 (ER) through 5/4 (Hospital), on 5/8 (ER) and from 5/10 (ER) till 5/14 (Hospital) then transferred to Chandler Regional, where he had the surgery and where he was released on 5/22.
As a result of this he has to take the medicine Fluconazole (generic is Diflucan) for the rest of his life. He starts with 1200 mg per day for the next 6 months ($360 per month if insurance picks up a portion which they refused till now) then 800 mg per day for the following 6 months ($320 per month) and 400 mg for the rest of his life to keep the fungus dormant ($280 per month or $1400 without insurance help)
He may no longer be able to do the job he was trained for: car mechanic (he was out for 4 weeks and will be out a few more). Surgeon warned him of the effect dust and harmful particles can have: it may result in a recurrence of the fungus in full force.
PLEA
This is why I am turning to you for "a little help from my friends"
Getting help with his medical bills will take a huge weight of Jay's shoulders and certainly contribute to a faster healing.
Donations will help with the medical bills. Our goal is to raise $20,000 for past and future bills. I will keep you updated on how the money is spent and how that impacts Jay's recovery
Thank you!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story and support our cause. We appreciate any form of help you can give us:
- advice,
- donations,
- sharing this story with your friends.
QUESTIONS AND FOLLOW UP
I am happy to answer any questions you may have. I will do follow up stories to keep you informed of Jay's progress.
Lee (Marcellina) Mass, Jay's mom
Not one to ask for help easily, circumstances are now demanding I seek your help for my son Jelle ("Jay") Horckmans and his sweet family
My son waited for 13 years to fulfil his dream: living in America.
January 21, 2015 he was finally able to become permanent resident, together with his family: wife Els and adorable daughter Maya.
Coming from Belgium Els and Jelle found jobs in a difficult economy, determined to make their lives in the States work.
And now it seems to fall apart with the speed of a freight train, because of this disease. My husband and I helped as much as we could, but we are both retired and living on a fixed income. That only stretches so far...
COCCI MENIGITIS
Jelle was diagnosed with Valley fever 2 years ago and incorrectly cleared from this disease 6 months later.
7 months ago he started suffering from unbearable headaches and painful stiffness in the neck.
Countless visits to the ER and UC were without results.
Until one day, his headache was so severe that he begged me to take him to a doctor. By the time I picked him up he was incoherent, speaking gibberish and clearly in unbearable pain. I brought him to Mercy Gilbert Hospital where they immediately feared for meningitis (even though the CT-scan was clear as well) and they did a lumbar puncture on authority of the ER doctor, whom I cannot thank enough
He was diagnosed with Cocci meningitis (fungal meningitis, stemming from the Valley Fever. )
By not being diagnosed in time, the fungus had spread to his brain. (Here is the link to the disease. I include this as a warning for all people who attract Valley Fever in the Southwest) :
http://www.activebeat.co/your-health/10-signs-and-symptoms-of-meningitis/)
It is a very rare form of meningitis and extremely difficult to treat. They fought with all they had in Mercy Gilbert, until it became clear that fluid was building up in his brain and he had to have surgery to place a shunt in his head. This will take care of the drainage, which is now blocked by the fungus. That is when they transported him to Chandler Regional Hospital. The surgery went well, but there is still the infection to fight with medication, so he is not out of the woods yet.
COSTS AND CONSEQUENCES
All these visits to ER's and UC's did not come cheap. There is a high deductible of $4,860 for 2016 and a new one for 2017. On top of the cost of all the medicine that never helped.
He was in Gilbert Mercy from 5/1 (ER) through 5/4 (Hospital), on 5/8 (ER) and from 5/10 (ER) till 5/14 (Hospital) then transferred to Chandler Regional, where he had the surgery and where he was released on 5/22.
As a result of this he has to take the medicine Fluconazole (generic is Diflucan) for the rest of his life. He starts with 1200 mg per day for the next 6 months ($360 per month if insurance picks up a portion which they refused till now) then 800 mg per day for the following 6 months ($320 per month) and 400 mg for the rest of his life to keep the fungus dormant ($280 per month or $1400 without insurance help)
He may no longer be able to do the job he was trained for: car mechanic (he was out for 4 weeks and will be out a few more). Surgeon warned him of the effect dust and harmful particles can have: it may result in a recurrence of the fungus in full force.
PLEA
This is why I am turning to you for "a little help from my friends"
Getting help with his medical bills will take a huge weight of Jay's shoulders and certainly contribute to a faster healing.
Donations will help with the medical bills. Our goal is to raise $20,000 for past and future bills. I will keep you updated on how the money is spent and how that impacts Jay's recovery
Thank you!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story and support our cause. We appreciate any form of help you can give us:
- advice,
- donations,
- sharing this story with your friends.
QUESTIONS AND FOLLOW UP
I am happy to answer any questions you may have. I will do follow up stories to keep you informed of Jay's progress.
Lee (Marcellina) Mass, Jay's mom