Hope for Hagen
Donation protected
HAGEN'S STORY
On Wednesday morning, March 6th, 2019, after 2 days of continuous vomiting, severe head pain and fatigue, Hagen arrived at Marshall Medical Center South in Boaz, AL, only to be immediately put in an ambulance and and transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL. On Wednesday evening, the neurologist determined that he had an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM on the left side of his brain, which he has likely had since birth. AVM is essentially a snarled mass of tangled/twisted vessels. These vessels are poorly formed and weak, and continue to weaken over time. These twisted vessels ended up causing a blood clot, which led to a hemorrhage sometime between Monday and Wednesday morning.
There is still too much swelling to pinpoint exactly where the hemorrhage occurred, or how deep the twisted vessels go. For now, we must wait and see how much the body processes on it's own over the next few days to avoid causing any further damage. If swelling reduces over the weekend, they will schedule him for a craniotomy on Monday, March 11th. If swelling has not reduced, other options will be considered and we will continue to wait. Either way, Hagen won’t be discharged from UAB until the surgery is performed and he has recovered.
For the many that have asked what they can do, we ask primarily for your prayers. For those that still wish to give beyond that, we have set up this t-shirt/decal/koozie fundraiser to help Hagen and his family offset the very expensive out-of-pocket costs of brain surgery, without insurance, as well as being out of work while he recovers.
Even if you're not able to give, we ask for your prayers, vibes, thoughts and well wishes for these things:
1. A reduction in swelling, a safe surgery, a quick recovery and no lasting cognitive defects or complications post-op.
2. Guidance, skill and confidence for the neurosurgeon as he operates. And for Hagen’s body and brain to be strong, compliant and responsive throughout.
3. Comfort and calmness for his sweet fiancé, Erin, who is only 6 weeks away from giving birth to their 2nd daughter, as well as their (almost) 2-year-old, Avi, who definitely misses her daddy being home.
4. That UAB approves his application to waive some of his medical costs from this ordeal, as an ambulance transfer, multiple scans, neurospecialists, a week/+ stay in the NICU, and brain surgery are so astronomically expensive that no normal person or family could ever pay for those things out-of-pocket.
5. For Hagen, who has managed to keep his spirits high, stay humble and crack jokes throughout this process. Our favorite thing about him has always been how big his heart is. A giant teddy bear inside a 6’3 body.
6. Safe travels for all of the family and friends as they drive back and forth from their home towns to Birmingham.
We’re sick with worry, but choosing to believe in only in the best outcomes for our Hagen.
XO, -The Dodd Family.
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ADDITIONAL "HOPE FOR HAGEN" FUNDRAISER ITEMS
In-Town Donations:
For those wishing to make an in-person donation or to donate by cash/check, an account has been set up in Hagen's name at Winsouth Credit Union.
T-Shirt:
https://www.bonfire.com/hopeforhagen-fundraiser/
Car Decals:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/688917487/avm-awareness-vinyl-car-decals-35-x-35?ref=related-4
https://www.etsy.com/listing/688917967/if-its-broke-fix-it-avm-awareness-vinyl?ref=related-4
On Wednesday morning, March 6th, 2019, after 2 days of continuous vomiting, severe head pain and fatigue, Hagen arrived at Marshall Medical Center South in Boaz, AL, only to be immediately put in an ambulance and and transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL. On Wednesday evening, the neurologist determined that he had an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM on the left side of his brain, which he has likely had since birth. AVM is essentially a snarled mass of tangled/twisted vessels. These vessels are poorly formed and weak, and continue to weaken over time. These twisted vessels ended up causing a blood clot, which led to a hemorrhage sometime between Monday and Wednesday morning.
There is still too much swelling to pinpoint exactly where the hemorrhage occurred, or how deep the twisted vessels go. For now, we must wait and see how much the body processes on it's own over the next few days to avoid causing any further damage. If swelling reduces over the weekend, they will schedule him for a craniotomy on Monday, March 11th. If swelling has not reduced, other options will be considered and we will continue to wait. Either way, Hagen won’t be discharged from UAB until the surgery is performed and he has recovered.
For the many that have asked what they can do, we ask primarily for your prayers. For those that still wish to give beyond that, we have set up this t-shirt/decal/koozie fundraiser to help Hagen and his family offset the very expensive out-of-pocket costs of brain surgery, without insurance, as well as being out of work while he recovers.
Even if you're not able to give, we ask for your prayers, vibes, thoughts and well wishes for these things:
1. A reduction in swelling, a safe surgery, a quick recovery and no lasting cognitive defects or complications post-op.
2. Guidance, skill and confidence for the neurosurgeon as he operates. And for Hagen’s body and brain to be strong, compliant and responsive throughout.
3. Comfort and calmness for his sweet fiancé, Erin, who is only 6 weeks away from giving birth to their 2nd daughter, as well as their (almost) 2-year-old, Avi, who definitely misses her daddy being home.
4. That UAB approves his application to waive some of his medical costs from this ordeal, as an ambulance transfer, multiple scans, neurospecialists, a week/+ stay in the NICU, and brain surgery are so astronomically expensive that no normal person or family could ever pay for those things out-of-pocket.
5. For Hagen, who has managed to keep his spirits high, stay humble and crack jokes throughout this process. Our favorite thing about him has always been how big his heart is. A giant teddy bear inside a 6’3 body.
6. Safe travels for all of the family and friends as they drive back and forth from their home towns to Birmingham.
We’re sick with worry, but choosing to believe in only in the best outcomes for our Hagen.
XO, -The Dodd Family.
-----------------------------
ADDITIONAL "HOPE FOR HAGEN" FUNDRAISER ITEMS
In-Town Donations:
For those wishing to make an in-person donation or to donate by cash/check, an account has been set up in Hagen's name at Winsouth Credit Union.
T-Shirt:
https://www.bonfire.com/hopeforhagen-fundraiser/
Car Decals:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/688917487/avm-awareness-vinyl-car-decals-35-x-35?ref=related-4
https://www.etsy.com/listing/688917967/if-its-broke-fix-it-avm-awareness-vinyl?ref=related-4
Fundraising team: Hagen’s AVM Warriors ❤️ (2)
Heatherly Williford
Organizer
Albertville, AL
Jessica Dodd
Team member
