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Raise money for medical bills due to AD injury

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Hello, my name is Rigel and I was recently discharged from the hospital following trauma to my Carotid Artery which resulted in a dissection, also known as AD. For about 24 hours I was monitored around the clock while stabilized on two IVs, one of which was for blood thinners and the other was prepped in case they needed to give me any emergency fluids. I was checked on every couple of hours and every 3-6 hours my blood was drawn to check the coagulation levels. I was given an MRI to check for any existing damage to my brain and neck as a result of the AD and was also given a CT scan with Contrast where the dissection was originally discovered. I had various blood tests run and an EKG. I was not allowed to eat in case they needed to do emergency surgery and I could barely sleep as a result of the constant check-ins.

I was discharged late in the evening on Saturday the 15th with two prescriptions for blood thinners and one for anti-anxiety medication that will last the next 90 days, at which point I will be re-evaluated by a neurologist and have an MRE performed to review the blood vessels in my neck as well as some other possible tests to identify my prognosis. Depending on how that visit goes, one of 3 decisions will be made. I will need immediate surgery(to put a stent in the artery to prevent clots from causing a stroke), I may heal enough to be stable but will forever need to take a blood thinner as a precaution, or I will have healed back to normal and avoided the other two options which is the rarest of the outcomes. But I’m hopeful.

On Wednesday the 12th(3 days earlier) I visited a chiropractor to see if he could help me with some pressure I was having in my head. I’ve always struggled with tinnitus but as a graphic designer I sit for long periods of time, staring at my computer monitor and it gives me back and neck cramps. Unfortunately this all started at a time when I do not have health insurance. I did however try to apply for insurance over the past few months because I’ve started trying to live a healthier lifestyle but I kept getting denied because I didn’t have any special reason for applying so late in the year.

This was when I decided that I’d just spend $150 on a chiropractor. That night I went home and had a terrible migraine. The next day I woke up with the same headache and as the day went on I became disoriented and felt drunk. I took some ibuprofen and went to sleep. The following day I woke up feeling even worse and decided it was time to go to the Emergency Room where I was evaluated and rushed to the hospital in serious condition.

In total Ive received 3 EKGs, 3 blood tests, 6 blood coagulation tests, 1 MRI, 1 CT scan with contrast, various prescriptions and an array of medical examinations during my time at the emergency room and hospital. I will need ongoing visits to determine my length of care and condition and future scans of my head and neck.

I’ve not received any medical bills yet but I was denied emergency Medi-Cal because you need to make less than $35,000 a year which is outrageous and so far I’ve not been given any Charity options from the hospital for the future expenses. The amount I am asking for is a ballpark based on similar situations and it may be even higher than expected.

as a self employed graphic designer, I can barely afford an electric bill let alone the amount of medical care I’ve received and future medical care I will receive to make a hopeful, full recovery.

Organizer

Rigel Darkmoore
Organizer
Ojai, CA

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