BRAIN SURGERY: Financial Assist to travel

Hello, My name is Brian Ropp; I'm 62 years old; I'm a Husband, Father, Brother and Grandparent to 4 lovely grandkids. This journey started many years ago with chronic headaches and migraines, which sometimes left me at home and locked in a dark silent room for hours until the migraine passed. I was rushed to emergency rooms a few times to be put to sleep long enough for the pain to subside.

 

For the last eight months, I have had constant headaches 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including severe pressure and feeling as if an ice pick would be jammed in my eye, temple and/or the back of my head. I have had pain covering my face from temple to temple, behind my eyes, and across my upper gums. I have had some difficulty with balance and decreased coordination (knocking things I am reaching for over). Other symptoms have included vision disturbances (blurring, double vision), dizziness, nausea, burning and watering eyes, sleep disturbances, confusion, anxiety and mood changes.

 

My primary care provider treated me for a sinus infection and sent me to an ENT. I was put on eight different antibiotics. I was also sent to my dentist and had a molar extracted, thinking that was the cause. Both the dentist and the ENT thought I should see a neurologist. I have had multiple referrals to neurology but have been unable to get an appointment locally. It has been over two months since the last ENT visit, and the pain and other symptoms continue, with the confusion, vision and mood changes worsening. My primary care provider finally ordered an MRI.

 

The MRI showed that I have a Pineal Cyst about the size of a ping pong ball full of spinal fluid that is causing all of these symptoms.

 

The issue is that there are not many neurosurgeons in the United States who will do this surgery. We found an exceptional Dr. in South Carolina who first made this connection five years ago. Thankfully our insurance will pay for the surgery, but there are thousands of dollars in travel expenses that we need assistance with. Between airfare for my wife and I to travel to South Carolina 2 times and 16 days' worth of hotel expenses and meals, the total out-of-pocket comes to $12,000.00.

 

 There is the first trip back for surgery, where I will be in the hospital for 3 days and then required to stay close to the hospital in a hotel for 14 days, at $200 a night, until my brain recovers enough to travel. There will be a second trip back on November 18 to have the plate removed.

 

The journey ahead will be scary for my family and me. The good news is that most of the time, these surgeries relieve 100% of the symptoms, which I am excited about. It is not a fun life to live with constant headaches and other symptoms.

 

SO I am asking for friends, family and anyone else to please help with our travel expenses. You may give any amount you feel comfortable with giving, and at least I ask that you share this post with your friends and family.

 

 We only found out about the cyst on March 7, 2022.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration; thank you for sharing and contributing. I want my life back so I can spend more time with family.

 

 

Brian D. Ropp