Jon Hyde, Drummer for Detective Medical Fund
Donation protected
Hello Everyone, I am Jon's sister and I am far away from him in Boston. There is only three of us left in my family. Jon and I rely upon each other when help is needed and up until recently, I had managed to assist him but now, both of us have run out of options and the difficulties in getting him the care he needs are too great.
As a drummer and songwriter who has been in many bands, most notably Detective, and as countless musicians and artists, Jon didn't have any medical insurance. Five years ago he suffered a traumatic fall outside a studio and was unable to get up. An ambulance was called and he and he was taken to Cedars Sinai emergency where it was discovered he had a fractured arm, elbow and pelvis. The emergency doctors only took an x-ray for the diagnosis and because of his lack of insurance, they released him after about 12 hours.
At home, he felt an unusual pain in his back and was told that it was probably connected to the fractured pelvis. The physicians advised him to allow the fractures to heal and should the discomfort continue to start physical therapy or see a chiropractor. Jon made an appointment with a chiropractor who attempted manipulation of his spine and from the moment he went on the table knew something was terribly wrong because the pain was overwhelming. He went directly back to the emergency room, the attending doctor prescribed oxycodone and advised a follow up with Cedars Spine Center.
All of these expenses were out of pocket and I paid for all of the medical costs. We were able to get an appointment with a renowned orthopaedic surgeon, Doctor Goldstein at the spine center, who immediately ordered a CT scan. This was an expensive procedure and I had to fly to Los Angeles to help Jon because at that time, the pain was so intense he could not walk or drive. I'll never forget it. His pain was so scary and distressing for me, just trying to get him in and out of a car, caring for him in his apartment, it was like a nightmare.
The findings were grim and shocking. Jon, who was seemingly the picture of health before the fall, a vegan, drummer, runner, competitive cyclist, had developed a severe form of osteoporosis, an unusual condition for a man. The emergency room doctors had missed diagnosing 4 compression fractures in his spine, which was the source of the intense pain. The compression fractures were serious, causing Jon to lose 4 inches in height and worse, a condition called kyphosis, sometimes called "roundback" or "dowagers hump" which is a visible hump on the back making it impossible to stand up straight.
Corrective surgery was impossible, the only course of action was to start the most powerful osteoporosis drug available, a daily injection of Forteo, a very expensive drug and under the care of another specialist, an endocrinologist.
How did Jon develop such advanced osteoporosis? The endocrinologist conducted intensive tests and the results showed Jon leaks a significant amount of calcium, it can't stay in his body normally. These results made me wonder about myself, and although I was feeling fine, I consulted with my own doctor at home, had a bone density test and I also have osteoporosis and have to have treatment. Jon and I share a genetic predisposition.
Since the diagnosis, Jon has been trying to put his life back together and the hope has been strengthen his bones. Without a bone drug, he will have a high risk of fracture, at any time, even bending, his bones would be so fragile even a normal movement could cause a fracture. A fall could be deadly. Right now he can walk, but not without the assistance of a walker, he can't lay flat and needs assistance with daily care in his home.
We were able to get some wonderful assistance with a few social organizations in West Hollywood so Jon could qualify for Medi-Cal, however, it has been slashed and now they refuse to pay for his much-needed medication, any therapy and a qualified endocrinologist in the Medicare system is as rare as a unicorn. Finding any kind of work is a challenge because of his disability and I have exhausted my funds for his care.
I am hoping that his network of friends and fellow musicians can do whatever they can and donate to this fund so we can provide Jon with much needed medical care and the drug he needs so desperately.
Thank you for reading and I will be so very grateful for the help, especially in these times which are difficult for the whole world.
Scarlett
As a drummer and songwriter who has been in many bands, most notably Detective, and as countless musicians and artists, Jon didn't have any medical insurance. Five years ago he suffered a traumatic fall outside a studio and was unable to get up. An ambulance was called and he and he was taken to Cedars Sinai emergency where it was discovered he had a fractured arm, elbow and pelvis. The emergency doctors only took an x-ray for the diagnosis and because of his lack of insurance, they released him after about 12 hours.
At home, he felt an unusual pain in his back and was told that it was probably connected to the fractured pelvis. The physicians advised him to allow the fractures to heal and should the discomfort continue to start physical therapy or see a chiropractor. Jon made an appointment with a chiropractor who attempted manipulation of his spine and from the moment he went on the table knew something was terribly wrong because the pain was overwhelming. He went directly back to the emergency room, the attending doctor prescribed oxycodone and advised a follow up with Cedars Spine Center.
All of these expenses were out of pocket and I paid for all of the medical costs. We were able to get an appointment with a renowned orthopaedic surgeon, Doctor Goldstein at the spine center, who immediately ordered a CT scan. This was an expensive procedure and I had to fly to Los Angeles to help Jon because at that time, the pain was so intense he could not walk or drive. I'll never forget it. His pain was so scary and distressing for me, just trying to get him in and out of a car, caring for him in his apartment, it was like a nightmare.
The findings were grim and shocking. Jon, who was seemingly the picture of health before the fall, a vegan, drummer, runner, competitive cyclist, had developed a severe form of osteoporosis, an unusual condition for a man. The emergency room doctors had missed diagnosing 4 compression fractures in his spine, which was the source of the intense pain. The compression fractures were serious, causing Jon to lose 4 inches in height and worse, a condition called kyphosis, sometimes called "roundback" or "dowagers hump" which is a visible hump on the back making it impossible to stand up straight.
Corrective surgery was impossible, the only course of action was to start the most powerful osteoporosis drug available, a daily injection of Forteo, a very expensive drug and under the care of another specialist, an endocrinologist.
How did Jon develop such advanced osteoporosis? The endocrinologist conducted intensive tests and the results showed Jon leaks a significant amount of calcium, it can't stay in his body normally. These results made me wonder about myself, and although I was feeling fine, I consulted with my own doctor at home, had a bone density test and I also have osteoporosis and have to have treatment. Jon and I share a genetic predisposition.
Since the diagnosis, Jon has been trying to put his life back together and the hope has been strengthen his bones. Without a bone drug, he will have a high risk of fracture, at any time, even bending, his bones would be so fragile even a normal movement could cause a fracture. A fall could be deadly. Right now he can walk, but not without the assistance of a walker, he can't lay flat and needs assistance with daily care in his home.
We were able to get some wonderful assistance with a few social organizations in West Hollywood so Jon could qualify for Medi-Cal, however, it has been slashed and now they refuse to pay for his much-needed medication, any therapy and a qualified endocrinologist in the Medicare system is as rare as a unicorn. Finding any kind of work is a challenge because of his disability and I have exhausted my funds for his care.
I am hoping that his network of friends and fellow musicians can do whatever they can and donate to this fund so we can provide Jon with much needed medical care and the drug he needs so desperately.
Thank you for reading and I will be so very grateful for the help, especially in these times which are difficult for the whole world.
Scarlett
Organizer
Scarlett Bartlett
Organizer
Medford, MA