Support Caleb's Recovery from Brain Surgery

On May 31, 2024, my step-dad Caleb was in a rollover car accident on his way to work. He rolled his truck multiple times and had to be extricated and airlifted to receive treatment for his injuries. Due to the weather, they were only able to fly him to St. Cloud. During the flight, he had multiple seizures. It was later determined that a seizure was the cause of his crash. After multiple scans and tests in St. Cloud, we found that he sustained many soft tissue injuries as well as a fractured vertebra from the crash. They also discovered that he had a very large meningioma brain tumor on his left frontal lobe.

Once it was known that he had a brain tumor, they decided it would be best if he was transferred to North Memorial in Robbinsdale. They met with their neurology team and it was determined that the tumor had to be surgically removed. This tumor was one of the largest tumors his neurosurgeon had ever operated on. They learned that it was very vascular as it was so large and had been growing for 10+ years.

On June 6, 2024, he had brain surgery to remove the tumor. The surgery was a success and approximately 99% of the tumor was able to be removed. The tumor had invaded the superficial middle cerebral vein, and the risks outweighed the benefits of continuing to attempt removal. The tumor was approximately 3” by 5”. This was, by definition, a giant brain tumor. A biopsy was sent in and it was determined to be benign. Because they could not remove the entire tumor, he will have to get MRIs regularly as there is a chance it will begin to grow again.

The scary part was over and now the long, difficult road to recovery was beginning. It was quickly realized that my step-dad could no longer be around a lot of noise and stimulation, which made it impossible for my mom to continue doing daycare in their home. They determined it would be necessary to close daycare, and after a long hiring process, my mom was able to begin working for Crow Wing County as a 911 Dispatcher. My step-dad still has not been able to return to work as a Paramedic for North Memorial. They also lost their health insurance through his employer due to his extended medical leave. As you can imagine, the medical bills have been coming in at staggering rates, and now they have to start over with a new deductible to meet under my mom’s new employer’s healthcare plan. My step-dad has several upcoming appointments and testing with his neurologist and other specialists to determine if he is able to return to work, most of which will not be covered by insurance due to the new, high deductible.

My mom and step-dad have 5 children, me (Sage), Talin, Harper, Henry, and Haven. They have also taken in many foster children throughout the last several years. Caleb has been a paramedic for 20 years and takes pride in helping people in the community. We are hoping to raise enough money to cover their new insurance deductible, medical bills, and help alleviate some of the stress that suddenly going to a single-income household has brought them.