Medical Costs for Abraham Avila
Donation protected
Aurelio and I have decided that we would reach out to our Friends and Family on behalf of Aurelio's brother, Abraham Avila, and ask support during this time of serious and unexpected illness.
A couple of weeks ago Abraham caught the flu which then was followed back to back with strep throat. While on antibiotics for the strep Abraham began to experience what he assumed were side affects to the medicine. He began experiencing a tingling sensation in his mouth and tongue and cold hands that he could not seem to warm. The extremely uncomfortable numbing and tingling sensations then progressed to his feet. When he brought his symptoms and concerns to the doctors, they were brushed off as simply a side effect of the antibiotics he had been taking or anxiety. He was told to come back in a couple of days.
But while at a family birthday party on Saturday, February 1, the numbing sensation in his legs had increased to the point that his knees began to buckle and he needed assistance from his son to even walk. Abraham also began to have issues focusing his eyesight and describe his eyes as feeling jittery. At this point he knew that something was seriously wrong. Fabiola and Abraham decided to go to the hospital where he was immediately admitted and then quickly moved to the Neuro/ICU for further testing and has remained since.
Abraham underwent many tests and after bloodwork, a spinal tap, and electromyography, he has been diagnosed with Miller-Fisher Syndrome which is a variant the of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
*Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms.
These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body. In its most severe form Guillain-Barré syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment.
The exact cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is unknown. But it is often preceded by an infectious illness such as a respiratory infection or the stomach flu.
There's no known cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome, but several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness. Most people recover from Guillain-Barré syndrome, though some may experience lingering effects from it, such as weakness, numbness or fatigue.
*Miller Fisher syndrome is a rare, acquired nerve disease that is considered to be a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is characterized by abnormal muscle coordination, paralysis of the eye muscles, and absence of the tendon reflexes.
There’s no cure for MFS. The aim of treatment is to lessen the severity of symptoms and speed recovery.
The two main forms of treatment are immunoglobulin therapy and plasmapheresis. These are the same treatments used for GBS.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), people with MFS begin recovering 2 to 4 weeks after they first notice symptoms. Full recovery takes longer, though most people make a good recovery within about 6 months. Less than 3 percent of people with MFS experience a relapse months or years later.
People whose MFS progresses to GBS are more likely to experience long-term effects. An estimated 30 percent of people with GBS still experience weakness 3 years later.
Abraham is now on day 4 of his medication (IVig) to treat the numbness and tingling. His eyes are now affected and he is seeing double and one eye is drooping. We pray that the recovery will be quick and complete but realistically it will be some time yet, before Abraham is fully himself again.
Abraham and Fabiola are kind and sincere people with a heart for each and their family. They have three children, Marco, Leilani and Joaquin. They are dedicated in their desire to serve God and are passionate about the church and ministry. Just over a year ago they returned to the United States from a 6 year missions journey in Peru. Upon returning Abraham and Fabiola quickly began serving in their local church ministries as well as volunteering as a teacher at a Bible College.
As they began the process of settling back in to the United States, Abraham and Fabiola began their own cleaning business and have worked very hard to build it from the ground up. As they "are" the business, this unexpected illness literally affects their livelihood with Abraham not able to work.
As well as the pressure to maintain a young business, and pay for living expenses, gas, phones, the kid's school bills and so forth, there is also the cost of the hospitable bills. Many of these needs are immediate and urgent. It would be very horrible to add more worries such as gas money to get the kids to school... or even will they be able to stay in school... to the already existing medical worries.
This how you can help!
Aurelio and I have decided to reach out to you and ask if you would be willing to open up your heart to this good family going through this hard time.
A few dollars might not seem like a lot but it will all help to encourage and help a very deserving family.
I know it would mean the world to Abraham and Fabiola and the Kids to know that you care so much for them.
A couple of weeks ago Abraham caught the flu which then was followed back to back with strep throat. While on antibiotics for the strep Abraham began to experience what he assumed were side affects to the medicine. He began experiencing a tingling sensation in his mouth and tongue and cold hands that he could not seem to warm. The extremely uncomfortable numbing and tingling sensations then progressed to his feet. When he brought his symptoms and concerns to the doctors, they were brushed off as simply a side effect of the antibiotics he had been taking or anxiety. He was told to come back in a couple of days.
But while at a family birthday party on Saturday, February 1, the numbing sensation in his legs had increased to the point that his knees began to buckle and he needed assistance from his son to even walk. Abraham also began to have issues focusing his eyesight and describe his eyes as feeling jittery. At this point he knew that something was seriously wrong. Fabiola and Abraham decided to go to the hospital where he was immediately admitted and then quickly moved to the Neuro/ICU for further testing and has remained since.
Abraham underwent many tests and after bloodwork, a spinal tap, and electromyography, he has been diagnosed with Miller-Fisher Syndrome which is a variant the of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
*Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms.
These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body. In its most severe form Guillain-Barré syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment.
The exact cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is unknown. But it is often preceded by an infectious illness such as a respiratory infection or the stomach flu.
There's no known cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome, but several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness. Most people recover from Guillain-Barré syndrome, though some may experience lingering effects from it, such as weakness, numbness or fatigue.
*Miller Fisher syndrome is a rare, acquired nerve disease that is considered to be a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is characterized by abnormal muscle coordination, paralysis of the eye muscles, and absence of the tendon reflexes.
There’s no cure for MFS. The aim of treatment is to lessen the severity of symptoms and speed recovery.
The two main forms of treatment are immunoglobulin therapy and plasmapheresis. These are the same treatments used for GBS.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), people with MFS begin recovering 2 to 4 weeks after they first notice symptoms. Full recovery takes longer, though most people make a good recovery within about 6 months. Less than 3 percent of people with MFS experience a relapse months or years later.
People whose MFS progresses to GBS are more likely to experience long-term effects. An estimated 30 percent of people with GBS still experience weakness 3 years later.
Abraham is now on day 4 of his medication (IVig) to treat the numbness and tingling. His eyes are now affected and he is seeing double and one eye is drooping. We pray that the recovery will be quick and complete but realistically it will be some time yet, before Abraham is fully himself again.
Abraham and Fabiola are kind and sincere people with a heart for each and their family. They have three children, Marco, Leilani and Joaquin. They are dedicated in their desire to serve God and are passionate about the church and ministry. Just over a year ago they returned to the United States from a 6 year missions journey in Peru. Upon returning Abraham and Fabiola quickly began serving in their local church ministries as well as volunteering as a teacher at a Bible College.
As they began the process of settling back in to the United States, Abraham and Fabiola began their own cleaning business and have worked very hard to build it from the ground up. As they "are" the business, this unexpected illness literally affects their livelihood with Abraham not able to work.
As well as the pressure to maintain a young business, and pay for living expenses, gas, phones, the kid's school bills and so forth, there is also the cost of the hospitable bills. Many of these needs are immediate and urgent. It would be very horrible to add more worries such as gas money to get the kids to school... or even will they be able to stay in school... to the already existing medical worries.
This how you can help!
Aurelio and I have decided to reach out to you and ask if you would be willing to open up your heart to this good family going through this hard time.
A few dollars might not seem like a lot but it will all help to encourage and help a very deserving family.
I know it would mean the world to Abraham and Fabiola and the Kids to know that you care so much for them.
Organizer and beneficiary
April Heck Avila
Organizer
Hammond, IN
Aurelio Avila
Beneficiary
