Marc Baker's Medical Bills

My name is Jesse Bustos. I'm Marc Baker's neighbor. I want to share this tragic incident that happened September 23rd of this year. Here is a letter written by his wife Celeste Baker:

Hi, my name is Celeste Baker. I, my husband Marc and our three sons live in Portage, Indiana. Our oldest son Josh is a senior at Portage High School, Brandon is a sophomore at Portage as well, and Noah is in 8th grade. I work part time for Portage Township Schools and my husband works in the IT field.

On September 23rd our family experienced our most frightening and life changing even. My husband had fallen in our home that resulted in a broken piece of wooden furniture that penetrated underneath his eye and into his brain. The bone along side of his eye and sinus above his nose were shattered and he began bleeding in the brain. He needed to be air lifted to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois for emergency surgery to save his life. Thanks to the team of doctors, the surgery went well and there was no complications in removing the item.

As he recovers in Loyola's ICU, we have been informed that he has a long road to recovery. He has had another surgery to repair an opening in the sinus that was allowing air to enter his brain. We also have to prepare for surgeries to replace the piece of skull removed and the reconstruction of his sinus. As for the injury to his left eye, doctors say it's a possibility he may not regain his vision back. The right eye is now showing some signs of possible injury as well. In regards to his brain injury, he has suffered memory loss and only time will tell how much will return. He will need CT scans and continuous visits with his specialists, physical therapists, speech, just to name a few. His estimated hospital stay is undertermined at this point in time.

Our life had already been a little rough this year because of other medical illnesses that arose. This caused us both to take a leave of absent from our jobs and our youngest son missing a lot of school. Then shortly after returning to work , Marc was let go from his job in Febuary. He began collecting unemployment for several months and had just accepted a contract to hire position in the IT field when this happened. This is a field in which he has built his career in for the last 25+ years and it's probable that he will not be able to return to that field. So it is obvious that there are many fears, financial worries and mental challenges our family has to face.

It seems that our family is no stranger to medical challenges. Anyone who knows us well, knows both my son Noah and I have our share of medical illnesses. I am a Lupus patient of 22 years and when I'm in a flareup, it causes my joints to swell and muscles to become weak. There have been times I could not walk, lift objects or even get out of bed. Many everyday things we do almost seem impossible. My son,Noah was also diagnosed with Lupus a little more than 2 1/2 years ago and can experience the same symptoms with the addition of Kidney involvement. Adding high blood pressure to his list as well and taking quite a few medications, including an expensive medication that is normally used for transplant patients.

Since Marc was on unemployment,we were able to recieve medicaid through Indiana but nothing else. We are not sure if Medicaid will pay any of the medical bills once he was flown to Illinois and all of his care he is recieving there. So we are anticipating the medical bills to
continuously grow. In the meantime I am trying to apply for SSI and Veterans benefits for Marc. He is a United States Airforce Veteran who served in the Gulf war. But this will take time.

With knowing what struggl'es may lay ahead, my family is reaching out to you in hopes that you would consider making a donation. No amount is too small and would help tremendously to help with medical costs, both now and in the future. There is also the loss of income,
everyday bills,travel expenses, mortage and obtaining a reliable vehicle to travel back and forth to doctor visits. There may also be out of pocket expenses to modify our home to create a safe environment for his return.

Please share our story with those you know and If you are unable to donate we are asking you to keeps us in your thoughts and prayers. My family sends a heartfelt Thanks for your
consideration,support and well wishes.