Those of you who know Michelle, know about her complicated medical history. In the last 20 years there were only 2 years that she didn't have surgery for a number of medical problems. She has spent years seeing specialists, many offered new diagnoses, and tried new treatments. Fortunately, she had dual coverage health insurance, and both her and Jason were working.
In May, 2016, she was in a car accident, after which her health rapidly declined. Within a year, she could no longer teach and it was devastating to her mentally and physically. In the past 3 years, she rarely makes it to family gatherings, she has missed some of Jenna's performances, and has felt isolated. Even when we bring the gatherings to her, she usually doesn't feel well enough to participate.
We sought out more specialists to find the cause of the decline. She has now been diagnosed with a number of conclusive conditions including: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). These specialists tried several different treatments, some of which reduced the effect of certain symptoms, but she has still be unable to lead a normal life.
Her orthopedist suspected that she may have Cranio-cervical Instability, but to detect it she needed an upright MRI and a neurosurgeon with experience in diagnosing and treating the condition, neither of which were available in Utah. Dr. Henderson in Maryland was recommended because he had experience and success in treating patients with Cranio-cervical Instability that also had Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. In June, 2019, we made the trip to Maryland and Michelle received an upright MRI, and upright CT scan, and was diagnosed with Atlanto-axial Instability which has similar symptoms, but is treated by fusing the C1–C2 vertebrae. We had planned for the cost of this trip and the medical procedures, knowing that both insurances would pay very little.
Two weeks after we returned home, Michelle was notified by the company paying her health insurance premiums under her disability insurance, that her health insurance coverage had expired at the end of May, and that they had neglected to give us 90 days notice. We notified Jason's insurance of the change in coverage, and spent the next few months paying new deductibles, copays, and unknown prescription costs that required pre-authorization that couldn't be backdated to when they were received in June and July.
In August, Michelle followed up with Dr. Henderson by phone and he determined that she needed surgery. We had put aside a significant amount of savings for the possibility of surgery, and Jason had accepted a job to teach at Weber State University, and has done a few freelance projects to help with the costs. But the unexpected change in insurance depleted some of our savings, and the single coverage means that the surgery is going to cost more than we had anticipated.
Many of Dr. Henderson's patients who received this surgery have been able to live a productive life again, some even returning to work. He has great hope that this will do the same for Michelle, so we know that this is something we need to try. If she were able to be in a classroom again, even part-time, it would mean the world to her. If she could spend time with her family again, and be a part of their lives again, it would be life-changing for her and our family. If you can help at all, we would be so very grateful.
In May, 2016, she was in a car accident, after which her health rapidly declined. Within a year, she could no longer teach and it was devastating to her mentally and physically. In the past 3 years, she rarely makes it to family gatherings, she has missed some of Jenna's performances, and has felt isolated. Even when we bring the gatherings to her, she usually doesn't feel well enough to participate.
We sought out more specialists to find the cause of the decline. She has now been diagnosed with a number of conclusive conditions including: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). These specialists tried several different treatments, some of which reduced the effect of certain symptoms, but she has still be unable to lead a normal life.
Her orthopedist suspected that she may have Cranio-cervical Instability, but to detect it she needed an upright MRI and a neurosurgeon with experience in diagnosing and treating the condition, neither of which were available in Utah. Dr. Henderson in Maryland was recommended because he had experience and success in treating patients with Cranio-cervical Instability that also had Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. In June, 2019, we made the trip to Maryland and Michelle received an upright MRI, and upright CT scan, and was diagnosed with Atlanto-axial Instability which has similar symptoms, but is treated by fusing the C1–C2 vertebrae. We had planned for the cost of this trip and the medical procedures, knowing that both insurances would pay very little.
Two weeks after we returned home, Michelle was notified by the company paying her health insurance premiums under her disability insurance, that her health insurance coverage had expired at the end of May, and that they had neglected to give us 90 days notice. We notified Jason's insurance of the change in coverage, and spent the next few months paying new deductibles, copays, and unknown prescription costs that required pre-authorization that couldn't be backdated to when they were received in June and July.
In August, Michelle followed up with Dr. Henderson by phone and he determined that she needed surgery. We had put aside a significant amount of savings for the possibility of surgery, and Jason had accepted a job to teach at Weber State University, and has done a few freelance projects to help with the costs. But the unexpected change in insurance depleted some of our savings, and the single coverage means that the surgery is going to cost more than we had anticipated.
Many of Dr. Henderson's patients who received this surgery have been able to live a productive life again, some even returning to work. He has great hope that this will do the same for Michelle, so we know that this is something we need to try. If she were able to be in a classroom again, even part-time, it would mean the world to her. If she could spend time with her family again, and be a part of their lives again, it would be life-changing for her and our family. If you can help at all, we would be so very grateful.