Help the Frantz Family with Medical Expenses

David Frantz has been in his current contracted Aviation Maintenance Technician position since June 3rd, 2024. He has worked in the Aviation field since June 2011. He is married to Katheryne, and they have two beautiful children, Kimberly (9) his daughter and Jacob (11) his son. Dave is currently the sole provider for their family as Katheryne is in the middle of a career change and heavily involved in the education of their children.

In early August 2024, they had signed up for private insurance through a private insurance company online. They were told that the coverage would be active October 1st, 2024. However, when Dave didn’t receive any confirmation nearing the end of September, He called the company inquiring when they could expect the medical cards for insurance purposes. The person on the other end of the line said they had no record what-so-ever of the policy! This left them outside the window of his previous medical insurance coverage and with no short term coverage option at all. November was open enrollment for his current employer but the coverage would not start until January 1st, 2025. Since the middle of October, like every year, with the weather changing, cold/flu season and school in full swing, people have been passing the usual germs back and forth. Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared the Frantz family for what happened next.

On November 8th Jake had some abnormal swelling and an Extremely sore throat, they took him to the Pediatrician near their home in Winchester, VA to get him checked out. There they quickly determined that his condition was serious and that Katheryne should drive him to Valley Health Winchester Medical Center, where Jake was then sent for CT scans of his throat and chest. The scans showed that there were multiple abscesses in his throat, all swelling rapidly. The doctors at that hospital decided it would be best if he was flown by helicopter as soon as possible and that Jake's situation required a specialist located at UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dave had driven from work to the emergency room at Valley Health Winchester Medical Center to assist his wife. Time was quickly becoming a factor as Jake’s air ways were severely constricting and his neck muscles were drawing tight from his back to be able to breathe. The only decision was to transport him to UVA Medical center.

Katheryne and Kimberly drove from Winchester to UVA Med Center in Charlottesville (about 2 1/2 hour drive) as Dave stayed to support Jacob as he was airlifted south to the UVA Med Center. After the flight and getting moved into a room in the PICU, the Medical team scoped from his nose down to his vocal cords to get a visual of the issues and airway. After which Jacob required oxygen until the effects of the "calming medication" from the Scoping procedure wore off as it was affecting Jacob's Breathing. At 1 AM on Saturday morning, Jacob was diagnosed with Multiple Retropharyngeal Abscesses (Cause Unknown) and immediately prepped for surgery to have the infected abscesses manually drained to prevent further blockage of his airway. Saturday through Monday were spent in recovery. Saturday was to keep a close eye on Jake and to make sure that he didn’t have any negative reactions or spread of the infection. He also needed to be weaned off of the pain medication and cleared of the remaining effects of the anesthesia. Jake's body started recovering quicker than expected and he was then moved to the general floor for patients. Sunday/Monday Jake was monitored further and required daily Blood Labs to check for infection and white blood cell count. Next task was to get him to eat at least softer foods. Once all those hurdles were passed, Jake was then discharged, Monday afternoon, to have him finish his recovery at home in Winchester. He was held out of school until the following Friday where he was allowed to go back but with restrictions.

Jake turned 11 on November 17th, his birthday party has been postponed due to an abundance of caution. As we know how children tend to push the laws of reason. Being 2.5 hours from home they also had to get a hotel for the rest of the family during Jake’s hospital stay. Although David and Katheryne's extended families live 2-3 hours from them, we are their family also. I share this story not for pity at all. I know that this will impact our Mechanic’s family's life. We have started a go fund me page to assist with some of the exorbitant medical costs that will be coming this young family's way. While Under no obligation to anyone, please, consider contributing in any way you are able.