Please help with Steven's medical expenses

Hi, my name is Melanie, and I'm raising money to help my nephew pay for his son Steven's medical expenses.

Steven is an adorable (yes, I'm a little biased, but he IS adorable) five-year-old. Until a few months ago, we thought he was a healthy, normally-developing child. That's when he had his first seizure. At least we thought it was a seizure, but after spending the day at the pediatric ER, the doctor discharged him, saying it might be "night terrors."

Steven's grandmom scheduled an appointment with a pediatric neurologist, but the doctor couldn't see Steven for weeks! Then, before they could get in to see the neurologist, Steven woke up in the middle of the night, holding his head and crying that his "brain hurt." He started vomiting and his temperature shot up. Then his head dropped, his body went limp and he seemed to lose consciousness. His grandmom called 911 and the ambulance transported Steven and his dad to the hospital. At the hospital, Steven was such a brave little boy. He endured so many blood draws and test after test. He had band-aids and bruises everywhere by the time they were done! Even after all that, the doctors could not confirm that Steven had a seizure. They sent him home with a diagnosis of the flu!!

Finally, they had the appointment with the pediatric neurologist. After meeting with Steven, he diagnosed him with epilepsy.

Talk about whiplash! From night terrors to the flu to epilepsy! How could three different doctors come up with such different diagnoses? They needed to meet with a specialist. They started searching for an epileptologist and found there was not a single one in their city!

They found a hospital with a level 4 pediatric center with pediatric neurologists and epileptologists on staff, but it was nearly 500 miles away. But they needed answers! So they made the trip. After meeting with the doctors and running more tests, it became obvious that this wasn't going to be a "one trip and we have all the answers" trip.

So far, they have made three trips, and Steven has endured countless tests and procedures and overnight hospital stays. The doctors have been able to rule out some things, but they still don't have a diagnosis! There are more trips, tests and hospital stays in Steven's future.

Steven's dad has a good job that provides him and Steven with insurance coverage, but all the copays and out-of-network deductibles are piling up! They stay with family when they travel and drive instead of paying for expensive plane fares, but the costs of traveling for their appointments add to the financial burden.

If you can help them out with a donation, you will have our deepest gratitude. If you're not able, you can still help out Steven and his dad by sending this campaign to friends and family who might be able to make a donation. And, of course, say a prayer, think good thoughts, send positive energy... everything helps!

And check back here for updates...