Medical Help for Garber Family
Donation protected
To my friends and family,
I am reaching out to ask for help. My dear childhood friend, Lisa, and her family have come upon a sudden and saddening circumstance.
After a couple of weeks in the hospital, back in December, her husband, Mike, has been diagnosed with Non Tb Mycobacterium Avium Complex - MAC - lung disease. He also has a 7 cm cavity in his left lower lobe that the bacteria ate.
MAC is a bacteria found everywhere in our environment. It is in our homes, showers, pools, air, soil, etc… We breathe it in all the time and most people do not get sick from it. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Mike’s immune system was compromised and he breathed in the bacteria and it created the perfect storm for MAC. To learn more about MAC, please go to: https://www.aboutntm.com/what-is-NTM/ OR https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7123/mycobacterium-avium-complex
There is neither any FDA approved treatment, or any known treatment; but what has worked on past patients is a combination of three tuberculosis drugs for 1.5-2 years. In addition, Mike will also have to have lung surgery (either partial lobe removal or entire left lobe removal) after the course of 1-2 years to remove the cavity.
Mike is the main provider for his sweet family and is currently experiencing horrible side effects from the drugs and treatment, which has made him unable to work. MAC makes patients extremely fatigued and the side effects of the medication(s) in addition to the MAC include: nausea, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, severe stomach problems, extreme fatigue and hearing and vision loss. He has been out of work since December. They are in the process of selling part of his business as, when he is able to go back to work, he cannot work at the capacity he used to.
For those who know Mike and Lisa and their boys, please donate anything as this next year will be very trying for the family, emotionally and physically. Donations will be used to pay for the extensive medical bills and anything over will be used to save to go to The National Jewish Health Hospital in Denver, CO for a second opinion (https://www.nationaljewish.org/home) .
Sending light and love to the Garber family
I am reaching out to ask for help. My dear childhood friend, Lisa, and her family have come upon a sudden and saddening circumstance.
After a couple of weeks in the hospital, back in December, her husband, Mike, has been diagnosed with Non Tb Mycobacterium Avium Complex - MAC - lung disease. He also has a 7 cm cavity in his left lower lobe that the bacteria ate.
MAC is a bacteria found everywhere in our environment. It is in our homes, showers, pools, air, soil, etc… We breathe it in all the time and most people do not get sick from it. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Mike’s immune system was compromised and he breathed in the bacteria and it created the perfect storm for MAC. To learn more about MAC, please go to: https://www.aboutntm.com/what-is-NTM/ OR https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7123/mycobacterium-avium-complex
There is neither any FDA approved treatment, or any known treatment; but what has worked on past patients is a combination of three tuberculosis drugs for 1.5-2 years. In addition, Mike will also have to have lung surgery (either partial lobe removal or entire left lobe removal) after the course of 1-2 years to remove the cavity.
Mike is the main provider for his sweet family and is currently experiencing horrible side effects from the drugs and treatment, which has made him unable to work. MAC makes patients extremely fatigued and the side effects of the medication(s) in addition to the MAC include: nausea, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, severe stomach problems, extreme fatigue and hearing and vision loss. He has been out of work since December. They are in the process of selling part of his business as, when he is able to go back to work, he cannot work at the capacity he used to.
For those who know Mike and Lisa and their boys, please donate anything as this next year will be very trying for the family, emotionally and physically. Donations will be used to pay for the extensive medical bills and anything over will be used to save to go to The National Jewish Health Hospital in Denver, CO for a second opinion (https://www.nationaljewish.org/home) .
Sending light and love to the Garber family
Organizer and beneficiary
Meagan Mansfield
Organizer
Vista, CA
Lisa Willen Garber
Beneficiary
