Help Jerry Get His Surgery at Mayo

I'm 48 years old. I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, one of the forms of muscular dystrophy. Because of this lifelong debilitating disease, my body is severely atrophied and weighs only 60 pounds. In addition to this disability itself, I also have a large tumor growing on the right half of my thyroid. It is growing very rapidly (doubling in size in about 8-10 months). The last FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration) "biopsy" done October 23, 2018, showed it is benign.. But because of where the tumor is, I am having trouble eating and breathing. Because of the weakness and obscure atrophy from this disease  is already hindering me from easily breathing, swallowing, and coughing, it is not an option to have the traditional 2 hour surgery to remove my thyroid. Doing so would be extremely dangerous in and of itself, but would be a very poor likelihood of surviving the recovery process.

After much prayer, google searching and help from friends and family, we discovered an alternative treatment that will not require me to be intubated. It is, however,a very new and rare procedure that is proving to be a great alternative to traditional thyroid removal surgery. It's called radiofrequency ablation (RFA). It is not yet being offered to the general public and is only being performed in case studies at Mayo Clinic. RFA does not require one to be put under anesthesia or intubated. The patient is completely awake and the only pain medication needed is in the form of lidocaine injected near the site and mild sedation. The procedure itself involves a needle (electrode) being inserted into the tumor while being monitored with ultrasound while low levels of electricity burns and effectively kills the tumor. After the treatment, the patient can go home and the tumor will shrink over the next several months. In some cases, a second treatment has proved necessary. Without this procedure, the time will come shortly that this occludes my airway and there will be nothing that can be done about it

Because Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN is the only place this procedure is performed, it has taken me many months to get Medicaid /Medicare to approve this and to get an appointment with the Drs who will agree to take what Medicare and medicaid will pay. 

Now that I finally have the green light and the doctors are ready for me, I need some financial help!  I only get a small disability check which couldn't possibly fund this lifesaving trip. The money raised by this gofundme will be used for renting a wheelchair accessible van, motel bills, food for my mom, brother and caregiver, and help with any other unforeseen circumstances. Any amount you can share will be appreciated.
Its all in the hands of the Lord. I beg an interest in your prayers.


In His Name

Jerry Farris