Support Brad's Life-Saving Medical Journey

Brad and I have a love story like none other. We’ve been together over 25 years and married just short of that. We met at a music studio. We began playing music together almost immediately. It didn’t take long before our lives and careers were completely intertwined. We’ve spent nearly every second of every day for the last 25 years with each other. (Except that time he went to play a jazz fest in Switzerland without me - okay the two times)

In my world, the sun rises and sets on him. I never knew I could love someone so much. And I never thought for a moment someone would ever love me the way he does.

Brad and I have so many anteceotes to share, A quarter century of days together filled with highs and lows. A coffee table of short stories if you will. But every account ends with love and laughter.

This is truly the first time that a chapter has begun and we simply don’t know how it’s going to end. Brad was discharged from the hospital seemingly at full strength and with 24 hrs his muscles began to weaken. He’s having to catch himself from falling again and again as the day goes on. And we’ve yet to get his confirmed diagnosis.

What we do know at this point is that they suspect aldosteronism woth a possibility of adrenal tumors (since the meds aren’t really as effective as they would be for a patient without tumors.

While we are in the process of applying for medical assistance, we still have required biweekly labs to insure that we’re keeping his K levels within a functioning level. Upon admission his potassium was 1.7 mmolL. Even receiving 220mEq over 24 hrs consistently for three says, the highest his K+ level had gotten was a 2.2!mmolL. For those of you unfamiliar with potassium levels - a healthy operating range is 3.5 mmolL - 5.2 mmolL. Anything below 2.5mmolL is considered life threatening. So it is vital that we test his levels frequently. Especially when his muscles are weakened and or spasming - which seems to be a daily occurrence.

We have a follow up with endocrinology. The office where we live does not accept Medicaid or insurance. All appointments will be cash based. We play music together professionally. It’s what ever done since day one together. And now, the ability to do is a guessing game from day to day whether he’ll be able to stand up and play guitar. Of sure he can sit dien. But what about when his hands become affected by the hypokalemic periodic paralysis and he can’t hold a pick. That was one of the things that got him to stop and realize he needed to get to a doctor.

With his (our) ability to work such a guessing game, it has really presents financial instability.

Last night was tough. I think the reality of how difficult this journey will be (until we find all of the answers and manage this properly) sort of sunk in and it weighed very heavily on us. We’re scared. It’s really that simple. I’m scared that this thing will worsen before it gets better (it already has).

Brad’s never been afraid of dying. I’d dare to say he still ain’t. But, realizing how close he came to just that, he will say that he is afraid of being taken from his family. He’s afraid that if we can’t fix this, his ability to care for his family will forever be a challenge. That’s very difficult for him to deal with.

We’re a team. I happen to think we’re one of the strongest teams you guys will ever know. And we don’t do 50/50 in this relationship. When I’ve only got 30 to give - he puts in 70. If he’s down to 20, I’ll give him my 80. It’s who we are. It’s how we love. And if he needs 95 from me for him to survive, done. I’ll give him everything I’ve got. But I hate that it hurts him.

The worse day of my life was when I lost my brother at age 15. It was the love and support of my family friends and community that got me through. They lifted me up and showed me genuine love and concern. Know, that the thought of losing my husband brings every bit of that pain and heartache of losing my brother flooding back.

I say that because I want you all to know that without y’all’s love and support, I wouldn’t have 100 of myself to give to him so that he can get better.

I’ll continue to share anecdotes from our lives as this journey continues. Until the next story, take care of yourselves and those around you. If we can’t lift each other up, then we are truly lost.

Hey everyone. As many of you know, we brought Brad into emergency on September 9th. He had lateral muscle weakness and chest pains. Later diagnosed as hypokalemic periodic paralysis. His potassium levels were initially 1.8 mmol/L and would fall to 1.7 mmol/L. These were life-threatening numbers. They immediately started him with a massive dose of oral potassium as well as intravenous. After recent 160 mEq of potassium, his levels had only increased to 2.2 mmol/L. These were still life-threatening numbers. It took three days for a doctor to listen to our concerns and screen for aldosteronism. We still do not have that confirmation, but they did start treating him as such, and within 24 hours of treating his adrenal gland hormones, he gained +1 mmol/L K.

Our hospital stay lasted five days. He had a CT scan, CTA, and 2 MRIs. Labs were drawn three times a day as well as non-stop IV and oral medications.

We will have a reduction in costs, but we are still looking at over $20K out of pocket, not to mention lost wages.

If you know Brad and I, you know our love story is one in a million. And I couldn’t imagine existing even a moment without him by my side, through this life we share.

We’ve been married for over 25 years. A wild rock and roll love story with no shortage of entertaining chronicles.

This may be the most challenging chapter in our story thus far. The financial burden of out-of-pocket costs is already burdening our minds. And the idea of a lifetime of continued treatment and lab draws to monitor potassium and renin levels was not on our bingo card.

Brad and I have always stepped up to help our friends when they were in need. We can only hope that in doing so for others, we’ve not outworn the grace when we now have to come to you to ask if you guys can step up one more time. It’s just way harder to ask because this time, we’re the ones who need help.

I'm setting a goal of $18,000 in hopes that we can pay for medical expenses for the next few months as well as the hospital bill that will soon arrive.

We are truly touched by the love and support you’ve given us in this time.

Thank you so much for your kindness. And we promise that when this passes and we are no longer burdened like so many, when the time comes, we will again be the ones who offer help to someone in need.

We love you all. Thank you for reading a snippet of our lives.