Jose Damian: Brain Aneurysm Survivor


On the night of July 25th, 2019, Nidia (Jose's wife, lifesaver and one of my best friends!) called to tell me that Jose was in the hospital with a critical, life threatening condition: a ruptured brain aneurysm a.k.a. subarachnoid hemorrhage or brain bleed.  He would require transfer to The University of Kansas Medical Center, where specially trained neurosurgeons could perform a rare and life saving procedure that is only done in a select few hospitals around the metro. 


Jose underwent a "coil" procedure just hours later at KU Medical Center.  Unfortunately, the surgery failed.  His brain continued to bleed and the aneurysm was abnormally shaped.  The second more extensive and invasive surgery was a GO.  At 2 p.m. on July 26th, Jose went in for a 4-5 hour craniotomy with clip placement to fix the ruptured aneurysm...7 hours later, he was in recovery.


Statistics from The Brain Aneurysm Foundation: "Approximately 15% of people with a ruptured brain aneurysm die before they reach the hospital. Most of the deaths are due to rapid and massive brain injury from the initial bleeding. Ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in about 40% of cases. Of those who survive, 66% suffer some permanent neurological deficit." www.bafound.org


Jose's neurosurgeon feels that it will take some time, but is optimistic that Jose will make a full recovery!

 
I have started this GoFundMe account to help ease the financial burden on Jose and Nidia.  Even though they have good insurance, the medical bills for Jose will be astronomical.  Jose and Nidia will be responsible for paying their own out of pocket cost with 2 brain/neurosurgeries and several weeks in the Neurologic Intensive Care Unit at a state of the art hospital.  Nidia has returned to work at this time, but Jose will need to remain off work for the foreseeable future, per his neurosurgeon's orders. Over the next days, weeks, and months ahead, they will need to be at countless doctors appointments, follow up neuro exams, lab redraws, and rechecks of Jose's brain.  Jose and Nidia will both continue to miss a substantial amount of work throughout the recovery process.  


It is our goal to enable Nidia to get Jose home from the hospital and allow him time to focus on recovering without worrying about being unable to work at this time.  9-month old baby Elias is also ready for his dad to come home!!!  Who hasn't shared a meal or a cold beer with them or been fishing with Jose?  Jose is the most generous, loving, always-working-on-a-project-for-someone-else-person I have ever met.  The most giving people I know could use a hand right now.


From the bottom of my heart- I humbly ask that you share this link and if possible consider donating.  Any amount will help!!!  My dearest friends are facing a mountain.  


Thank you for your support and God Bless each and every one of you!!!