<div>As a friend of <strong>Bill and Summer Manda</strong> for over 20 years, I would like to introduce you to their son, Owen, a vibrant young man of 13 years. This is his story about a <strong>Month-Long Ruptured Appendix Battle</strong>. Owen is like most his age; he likes music, video games, computers/robotics, and adores cats. He also likes to bug his twin sister. Owen has high-functioning autism with sensory issues, which makes it really hard to know how bad pain levels are to him. He has a different type/level of pain tolerance. This was revealed due to spending 5 days with a ruptured appendix.
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<div>Timeline of events:
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<ul>
<li>July 4th weekend - Owen complained of stomach pains and was running a low-grade fever on Sunday evening.
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<li>July 7th, Monday - Summer got him in to see the family doctor, who initially diagnosed a virus. As pain continued, more doctor's appointments followed up with tests and scans, results being sent to the doctor.
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<li>July 8th evening - The doctor finally called with test results and referred Owen to Children's Hospital in Knoxville, where he was diagnosed with a ruptured appendix.
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<li>July 9th - Surgery was performed. This procedure is pretty routine; unfortunately, Owen wasn't so lucky. Just as a discharge seemed within reach, a setback occurred. As his condition became worse, a suction tube from his nose to stomach had to be inserted due to vomiting and not passing stool. The plan was that the suction hose and time would relax his bowels. Just patience was needed.
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<li>July 25th - New diagnosis: BLOCKAGE. A second surgery was needed. This involved opening up his belly to get to the blockage in his intestines.
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<li>August 1st - HOMEWARD BOUND! Finally, after all the ups and downs, Owen was on the mend and heading home.
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<li>TODAY - He continues to heal, working up to eating solid foods again. His diet is still restricted, but he's off the liquid-only diet. He is also learning to walk properly. He still has a lot of healing to accomplish, but he should recover fully. He'll have a few scars, which he is embarrassed about, but hopefully one day he'll see these as battle scars - a battle that he won.
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<div>Above, I just included a shortened version of the medical facts. How does one explain the emotional trauma a family goes through when a child is this ill? They put life on hold for a month. First, 4 days of trying to figure out what was wrong, then 25 days in a hospital. Summer had three weeks off before she started her job as a teacher at Lincoln Heights Elementary in Morristown. Bill had to take a month of unpaid family leave. He still has a job, but the trucking company took his truck back and gave it to someone else. The truck has to keep rolling and Bill has to be reassigned to a different truck. He's still unsure of the process there, since he never has taken time off.
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<div>This family means the world to me and to so many others. The most important thing is Owen is going to be OK. We all thank God for that. But now reality starts to unfold. <strong>The medical bills are starting to come in.</strong> Yes, it does look as if insurance is going to help, but the tests, scans, 25 days in the hospital, 2 surgeries. There is no way they can wrap their head around how much they are responsible for. And now, Bill has lost an entire month's salary. <strong>They need help.</strong>
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<div>How your Donation Will Help:
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<div>All funds raised through this campaign will go directly to supporting the Manda family.
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<ul>
<li><strong>Medical Bills</strong>
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<li><strong>Essential living expenses due to 4 weeks of missed income</strong>
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</ul>
<div><strong><em>A donation of $10 would be a help to cover the gas it took to make 25 plus trips back and forth to hospital. </em></strong>
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<div>I organized this fundraiser to hopefully give them some peace to manage the overwhelming set of challenges coming their way. If you're not able to give financially, please share Owen's story and say a prayer for his continued recovery.
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<div>Thank you,
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<div>Sherry Eppley
</div>

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