Support Cristian overcome Achalasia: a life-changing surgery

In August 2024, the worst and seemingly never-ending nightmare began with my 18-year-old son’s severe illness, ultimately diagnosed as Achalasia type II [1]. Cristian was hospitalized four times, one of them more than a month. He lost 30 pounds, which means 20% of his whole weight. He was not able to eat or drink anything; he was sick even with a sip of water. He had to be fed 100% by a feeding tube for 2 months; he had to quit playing Volleyball, which he used to practice, and lost the school semester due to a long time in hospitals. In November 2024, he underwent a Heller Myotomy, which now turns out not to have worked well. The diagnosis took so long because this is a rare condition, and many doctors are unfamiliar with it. This rare disease kills the nerve cells and ceases the motility of the esophagus. The only effective treatment in the long term for Achalasia is surgery. Although it will not totally cure (once the esophagus is damaged, the muscles cannot work properly again), it will improve his quality of life by opening the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing him to swallow using the force of gravity.

The problem with these rare diseases is that knowledge, data, research, and advancements in science are scarce or lacking. Although few doctors are specialists, one in the Northeast Region in Brazil has dedicated his life to improving a Japanese technique for operating on Achalasia – the Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). Dr. Antonio Carlos Conrado [2] is a highly experienced surgeon and has achieved around 4,000 successful cases. Since the first surgery did not improve the symptoms to allow him to live as close as possible to a normal life, a second surgical procedure is now necessary.

Therefore, I am appealing for financial help. The surgery is booked for February 22nd, and it will cost around 30.000 BRL, which is not covered by health insurance. Other expenses, such as flights to the city where the surgery is performed in João Pessoa, and other costs, such as hospital stay and short-term rental for days before the surgery and after the hospital discharge, sum around 20.000 BRL. The necessary amount is US$8,500 (50.000 BRL), excluding fundraising taxes (approx. US$400). I deeply appreciate and thank you for any support in assisting with this extraordinary health crisis.

[1] Achalasia in https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achalasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352850

[2] Dr. Antonio Carlos Conrado -Regional Council of Medicine (CRM) – 8.466. Dom Bosco Street, 961 - Recife (81) 3048.2828 - (81) 98107.7254. https://endogastrodiag.com.br/equipe-medica/. See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZEkIm27t50