Medical Expenses for Tami Baumann

We’re sharing Tami’s story to ask for help and prayers!!  Tami just underwent her 24th surgery (please see her story in her own words below) and this one was at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville with some pretty phenomenal surgeons!  It would not be exaggerating to say this was her last hope!

The medical costs, deductibles, travel expenses for  her and her traveling companions are adding up and she, along with someone to accompany her, will have to return two more times to fully complete the reconstruction of her airway that was started last week!

We ask that you read and share her story, pray for her and consider helping !  Thank you - Team Tami!

As Tami shared on her FB page before this surgery surgery:

This will be a difficult post , as I have been lost as to where to even began as I am still raw at the thought of going through another  major  airway reconstruction surgery.

But as. You all know I have had 23 surgeries to date on my trachea ( airway ) I have a rare condition where scar tissue grows in my trachea , and it closes my airway and I literally cant breathe .  ... I have to now have a surgey every 3 months just to be able to breathe , and stay open.

I have been all around the country to try to get someone to help me . Locally , Spokane , Seattle university of Washington kootenai medical Idaho , Cleveland Ohio ,  Boston Massachusetts, and Nashville Tennessee. ( I currently have 8 different surgeons)

I have had procedures on my trachea where they stretch the trachea ,   and either laser, or cut out the scar tissue , unfortunately after years of doing this , and more damage being caused , including a paralyzed vocal cord,  and voice loss . I finally begged for someone to find a surgeon who could remove the scar tissue and help me . .. this disease is not curable , only treatable .

Last year I went to Boston and had a thoracic surgeon agree to do the surgery on me , it was very risky as my scar tissue is only two millimeters from my vocal cords , and many others sent me away . I did go ahead last summer and had the reconstruction surgery on my airway , but unfortunately , due to complications , I ended up with a tracheostomy .. tube in my neck .. for six months .

And in February last year ,you many remember I was told the whole reconstruction surgery that was done in Boston ...failed, I was devastated.

I have had to literally go back to the drawing board , and have been painstakingly researching every surgeon in the United States , and then in April this year went for a consultation to Nashville Tennessee, and met with a airway reconstruction surgeon there , we had to wait and see what would take place as he did not want to rush such a major decision, but I just recently found out he will do a complete airway reconstruction surgery on me in a couple weeks .

This will unfortunately be catastrophic if it does not work , and I was told I could have a permanent tracheostomy, and voice loss , and it will be twice as hard as the Boston reconstruction surgery last year
 
I basically am backed in a corner , and out of all options , my trachea has become very fragile with all the stretching and surgeries, and if something isn't done to correct the problem of scar tissue growth and an inadequate airway to breathe , I will inevitably need a permanent tracheostomy tube for life .

This is not quality of life to me , and I refuse to give up !

So I will be going to Nashville in two weeks to have the biggest reconstruction surgery of my life , they will be doing a bone graft split procedure, and take either part of my rib , or a synthetic bone , and place , a couple pieces in the cartilage around my voice box to widen the area, and then a stent will be placed to hold the bone graft in place , I will also have my trachea cut in half again , and remove scar tissue that has returned and then it will be sewn back  together , and resected.

I will not be able to breathe on my own , and will require a tracheostomy tube . And I will be in ICU , and in the hospital for ten days minimum. I was also told I may have a difficult time swallowing, and may need to be tube fed for awhile . ( not exactly the diet plan I was hoping for )

There will also be a pediatric airway surgeon in the operating room with my Nashville surgeon , as they have this more complex surgeries with pediatric patients , and intubation damage , and scar tissue . And he will be working side by side on my complex case .

This is a three part protocol surgery , that I had to agree to before I could even be accepted as a candidate for surgery .

November  I will have the reconstruction airway surgery, stent , and tracheostomy tube placement in Nashville.

January,   I will return to Nashville to remove temp stent that holds in the bone grafts in place .

March I will return to nashville , to monitor healing , and do a tissue ablation, and hopefully remove the tracheostomy tube if I can breathe on my own .

I am asking for your prayers , love , and support in this difficult time , I have no idea how I will get through all this , emotionally without it .

I know god has a great plan for me , and I have great belief , and faith he will get me through this so I can live my life , and be healed , and have this all behind me . I know he does not want me to suffer to breathe anymore, nor live with a tracheostomy.

Please pray  for me ,

I am sharing this , as you have all been my angels , and I need your love ,and support ,and prayers,  through this difficult time .

My family , children , and close friends have known , but I am sharing this , as I believe there is power in prayer, and appreciate all your support, as I have to be brave  and go through this again .

God bless , love you all

Tami

2 weeks till Nashville!!! ...scrambling to make this all happen !! ( guess who is having blended turkey in the hospital for thanksgiving this year !! )