Help Laura & Mike Recover from Emergency Surgery in Panama

Unexpected medical issues can throw us all for a loop.

Anyone who knows Mike and Laura Brasler, knows that they give to anyone in need, whether or not they have the means to do so.

Here's their short story,

After returning from South Africa to nurse Mike's sister in her last two months of life, losing the battle against cancer, a routine exam found a mass in Laura's Colon. This was unexpected, of course, and cause of great concern. Doctors and specialists were consulted and there was no option but to operate and remove a portion of her bowel hopefully before the mass turned cancerous.

No time was wasted in moving forward to get this serious issue handled. The following few weeks were critical and they underwent many tests, biopsies, and appointments, and incurred unexpected travel expenses, and hotel bills until they could figure out what to do and which surgeon to do it. A Right Hemicolectomy with Anastomosis was performed by a surgical Oncologist without worry about funding even though they do not have insurance, and cannot get any.

Bills added up quickly with the cost of the tests, the doctors fees, bloodwork, XRays and CT scans, the surgery itself along with hotel bills for staying in Panama city during the important immediate recovery period, meals and transportation. The hospital and surgery alone cost over $22,000.

Financially, they had just about recovered from 4 years ago when Mike underwent an emergency quadruple bypass. That $70,000 USD flattened their savings, and now this!

Yet they go on.

They have huge hearts, both of them. Mike will do jobs for other cruisers to make some money when possible, he is smarter than anyone we know, and will help often without being paid for it. He offers his assistance freely, sometime too freely. But that's the kind of guy he is. So income is not easily on their doorstep.

They have never asked for help before.

Please help Mike and Laura recover from this second medical setback by donating to help ease the financial stress they now face. Best of all, Laura is CANCER FREE!

In Mikes words, "...but at least I still have my wife of 40 years"