Michael's Emergency Medical Fund
Donation protected
Michael's life was finally coming together. He had found an occupation he was passionate about in over the road trucking and was doing well for himself. Then, during a routine eye exam, he was sidelined from his occupation by the discovery of a large pituitary tumor. In April, 2018, pressure on his optic nerve indicated the presence of a tumor which was affecting his vision. The tumor, when measured, was 3 inches long, 2 inches wide.
He began medical treatment to shrink the tumor and things seemed to be progressing well. The tumor took an unexpected turn for the worst when a rare brain bleed developed. This bleed caused pain, seizures, and loss of motor function. By June, the tumor required an extensive emergency brain surgery. The surgery took 4 hours to complete, and the neurosurgeons could only remove 70% of the tumor due to the tumor's placement and entanglement with the brain stem. The surgeons do think they were able to repair the artery that caused the brain bleed.
Recovering from the surgery has been a roller coaster for Michael and his family. He has remained in critical condition in NeuroICU since the operation, the majority of the time in a medically induced coma. There have been several close calls due to pressure in the brain after surgery. The most recent imagining indicated that the pressure may just be in the area in which the tumor was removed. More extensive testing is needed at this point to direct the neurologists about the treatment they will give him. They have said that the current treatment is not viable long term for Michael.
The funds raised in this campaign will go to supplement Michael's loss of income. Since truck driving was his occupation, the occurrence of seizures will prevent him from returning to his career. This will also result in loss of his health insurance and the necessity of COBRA insurance. As of now, we are unsure of what future medical treatment Michael will need.
He began medical treatment to shrink the tumor and things seemed to be progressing well. The tumor took an unexpected turn for the worst when a rare brain bleed developed. This bleed caused pain, seizures, and loss of motor function. By June, the tumor required an extensive emergency brain surgery. The surgery took 4 hours to complete, and the neurosurgeons could only remove 70% of the tumor due to the tumor's placement and entanglement with the brain stem. The surgeons do think they were able to repair the artery that caused the brain bleed.
Recovering from the surgery has been a roller coaster for Michael and his family. He has remained in critical condition in NeuroICU since the operation, the majority of the time in a medically induced coma. There have been several close calls due to pressure in the brain after surgery. The most recent imagining indicated that the pressure may just be in the area in which the tumor was removed. More extensive testing is needed at this point to direct the neurologists about the treatment they will give him. They have said that the current treatment is not viable long term for Michael.
The funds raised in this campaign will go to supplement Michael's loss of income. Since truck driving was his occupation, the occurrence of seizures will prevent him from returning to his career. This will also result in loss of his health insurance and the necessity of COBRA insurance. As of now, we are unsure of what future medical treatment Michael will need.
Organizer
Angela Wilson
Organizer
Williamston, SC
