Larson's brain clinic treatment
Donation protected
At the age of 14 Larson was an 8th grade honor student at Trinity Christian Academy where he was also enjoying his first season playing trumpet in marching band. On December 16, 2015, he had returned home from youth group about an hour prior to suddenly suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm. The next day, the aneurysm was treated with a minimally invasive coiling procedure after which Larson spent 12 days in ICU. As 2016 began, Larson seemed to have fully recovered with no cognitive or physical deficits.
However, on March 10, 2016, Larson experienced a much more serious rupture of the same aneurysm requiring an emergency craniotomy (brain surgery) to clip the aneurysm. As a result of the rupture and/or surgery, Larson also suffered a stroke in the right thalamus area of his brain. He was in the ICU for 25 days, 15 of those days on a ventilator, and then spent 7 weeks inpatient at a rehab hospital relearning to walk, dealing with increasing painful spasticity on his left side, and striving to improve cognitively. Immediately upon being released from inpatient rehab, Larson began and continues even now his outpatient therapies including physical therapy for his leg, occupational therapy for his arm, and speech therapy for cognitive issues as well a neuro rehab program. He takes daily medication and receives a series of injections in his left arm and leg every three months. We have visited the University of Florida’s Movement Disorders Clinic and Shriners in Tampa in addition to Larson’s local doctors seeking more information and help to allow Larson to live as normal a life as possible. He has experienced personality changes, cognitive deficits - especially short term memory loss, and physical deficits such as difficulty walking, and has very little use of his left arm and hand.
Recently, we became aware of a brain clinic in Dallas, Texas called Cerebrum. Some of the conditions they treat and have had success with are stroke rehabilitation, memory loss, and movement disorders – all issues that apply to Larson. After several phone consultations with Cerebrum, we feel strongly that the next step we need to take is to travel to Texas for evaluation and treatment there. Several things we hope to gain while at Cerebrum are:
1. A thorough evaluation. The doctors and other medical personnel will assess all of Larson’s records and multiple conditions and will confer together. While Jacksonville is home to a concentration of medical specialties, getting everyone who deals with Larson’s care together to look at the whole picture is practically impossible.
2. A second opinion. We are looking very seriously at the possibility of Larson undergoing surgery to implant a baclofen pump this summer. This is a major surgery and a huge decision. We would very much like a second opinion about whether this is really necessary and if this is the best path forward for Larson.
3. Additional treatments. Cerebrum provides various treatments that are not available locally and some that are unique to their clinic. These treatments can stimulate the brain and promote healing. We are hopeful that Larson can and will experience alleviation of symptoms in one or more areas of function.
4. A plan. We will leave Cerebrum with a plan that addresses all of Larson’s areas of need which will guide his future therapies, at home exercises, follow-up appointments, etc.
Unfortunately, the cost of the two-week clinic visit is $11,000 and is not covered by insurance. Therefore, we are raising money to cover the clinic cost plus travel expenses. Larson’s evaluation and treatment is scheduled to begin Monday, March 6.
Any additional funds raised beyond the cost of the trip will be put toward additional, ongoing medical expenses and specific needs such as an electronic stimulation device called a Bioness for Larson’s leg which has already been tried in therapy and improves his walking. The cash cost for the Bioness during a recent promotion was $5,500. Our insurance will not cover it.
Thank you for reading Larson’s story and for praying for him and our family. So many have been praying for us for many months now. God has blessed in many ways and has answered prayer many times. It is truly a miracle that Larson is still with us and our desire is that he be restored physically and cognitively as fully as possible. Thank you for any contribution you are able to make and for sharing this page as well.
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However, on March 10, 2016, Larson experienced a much more serious rupture of the same aneurysm requiring an emergency craniotomy (brain surgery) to clip the aneurysm. As a result of the rupture and/or surgery, Larson also suffered a stroke in the right thalamus area of his brain. He was in the ICU for 25 days, 15 of those days on a ventilator, and then spent 7 weeks inpatient at a rehab hospital relearning to walk, dealing with increasing painful spasticity on his left side, and striving to improve cognitively. Immediately upon being released from inpatient rehab, Larson began and continues even now his outpatient therapies including physical therapy for his leg, occupational therapy for his arm, and speech therapy for cognitive issues as well a neuro rehab program. He takes daily medication and receives a series of injections in his left arm and leg every three months. We have visited the University of Florida’s Movement Disorders Clinic and Shriners in Tampa in addition to Larson’s local doctors seeking more information and help to allow Larson to live as normal a life as possible. He has experienced personality changes, cognitive deficits - especially short term memory loss, and physical deficits such as difficulty walking, and has very little use of his left arm and hand.
Recently, we became aware of a brain clinic in Dallas, Texas called Cerebrum. Some of the conditions they treat and have had success with are stroke rehabilitation, memory loss, and movement disorders – all issues that apply to Larson. After several phone consultations with Cerebrum, we feel strongly that the next step we need to take is to travel to Texas for evaluation and treatment there. Several things we hope to gain while at Cerebrum are:
1. A thorough evaluation. The doctors and other medical personnel will assess all of Larson’s records and multiple conditions and will confer together. While Jacksonville is home to a concentration of medical specialties, getting everyone who deals with Larson’s care together to look at the whole picture is practically impossible.
2. A second opinion. We are looking very seriously at the possibility of Larson undergoing surgery to implant a baclofen pump this summer. This is a major surgery and a huge decision. We would very much like a second opinion about whether this is really necessary and if this is the best path forward for Larson.
3. Additional treatments. Cerebrum provides various treatments that are not available locally and some that are unique to their clinic. These treatments can stimulate the brain and promote healing. We are hopeful that Larson can and will experience alleviation of symptoms in one or more areas of function.
4. A plan. We will leave Cerebrum with a plan that addresses all of Larson’s areas of need which will guide his future therapies, at home exercises, follow-up appointments, etc.
Unfortunately, the cost of the two-week clinic visit is $11,000 and is not covered by insurance. Therefore, we are raising money to cover the clinic cost plus travel expenses. Larson’s evaluation and treatment is scheduled to begin Monday, March 6.
Any additional funds raised beyond the cost of the trip will be put toward additional, ongoing medical expenses and specific needs such as an electronic stimulation device called a Bioness for Larson’s leg which has already been tried in therapy and improves his walking. The cash cost for the Bioness during a recent promotion was $5,500. Our insurance will not cover it.
Thank you for reading Larson’s story and for praying for him and our family. So many have been praying for us for many months now. God has blessed in many ways and has answered prayer many times. It is truly a miracle that Larson is still with us and our desire is that he be restored physically and cognitively as fully as possible. Thank you for any contribution you are able to make and for sharing this page as well.
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Organizer and beneficiary
Tricia N Brent Roth
Organizer
Jacksonville, FL
Susanna Zekas
Beneficiary