Tanzi's Medical Fund
Donación protegida
Dear Friends and Family:
Twelve years ago my friend Tanzi was diagnosed with a severe hiatal hernia. A perforation occurred causing uncertainty and near death. She went through many procedures and medical visits that ultimately resulted in required surgeries. This was a scary time that resulted in a 6 weeks hospital stay and unexpected hospital debt. After the traumatic experience, she fully recovered and lived a healthy life.
However, a few years later the hernia returned. Tanzi began the medical process all over again, including multiple doctor visits per month. The doctors initially recommended only monitoring the hernia due to the extensive amount of scar tissue surrounding the area. Tanzi started to have intense, recurring pain, and was referred to an expert surgeon. After many tests, the surgeon concluded that the hernia is in critical condition and must be operated on immediately. We soon found out that not only must the hernia be removed but there must be organ reconstruction surgery for her body to function properly.
As eager as we all are for Tanzi to finally get this hernia permanently out of her body and be back to her normal, healthy, 26-year-old self, we are also finding ourselves in need of significant financial support from those we love to help cover Tanzi’s medical costs.
We are asking for $10,000 to cover the additional costs that will accumulate from Tanzi’s out-of-pocket payments for this upcoming two day surgery, medical procedures, lab testing, scans, and medications. Additionally, Tanzi will not be able to work during her approximately 3 month recovery. This will consist of 2 weeks in the ICU, 2 weeks in a standard hospital room, and 2 months in a care facility or at home recovering with a in home caretaker.
As a family, most of you know that Tanzi is no stranger to illnesses, hospitals and bills – as she was diagnosed with lupus in 2015. However, this specific journey for Tanzi will put a significant strain on her. We would truly be grateful for any kind of help you may be able to send our way.
I’m sure you have a few questions! We had a million. Here’s what I am more than happy to expand on and talk more about. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! While we can’t control the trials and hardship we are asked to face in life, one can only hope to help spread awareness and advocacy throughout the journey to serve as some kind of silver lining from it all.
WHAT IS A HIATAL HERNIA?
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm and into your chest region. When one of your abdominal organs moves upward into your chest through a defect (opening) in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscular barrier between the chest and abdominal cavities. It separates your heart and lungs from your abdominal organs (stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver).
HOW SICK IS TANZI?
About a year ago Tanzi started experiencing increased symptoms more than the usual reflux or heartburn. For long periods of time she would not be able to keep food or liquid down followed by heartburn along with chest and back pain. The hernia being at its worse is pushing her colon into the chest cavity. The physician believes that these episodes are signs of further damage in her intestines, twisted and blocking anything from going down. This is an early sign that a perforation will happen. There can be a time when the intestines twist and can't untwist which would lead to a perforation and a repeat of 2006 but only worse because of all the current scar tissue. She has been dealing with these conditions for several years now, without truly understanding why or how her body was acting the way it was. She has seen so many doctors and has waited so long for a real explanation for her symptoms and to have her body functioning properly again.
CAN I GIVE SOMETHING OTHER THAN MONEY?
Yes! Of course! We completely understand and appreciate all forms of love, thought and care from anyone who wants to give. Money is helpful, but so are home-cooked meals, thoughtful cards, texts and calls checking in, and sharing this GoFundMe post with people you know and most importantly – prayers, thoughts and good vibes for a successful and safe surgery!
Tanzi, myself, and her family could not be more appreciative and thankful for any assistance you can give us. Time and time again we have learned how important it is to have a community and support system you can count on to get you through the unthinkable. We hope to be able to reciprocate that same support to you. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.
Help spread the word!
Twelve years ago my friend Tanzi was diagnosed with a severe hiatal hernia. A perforation occurred causing uncertainty and near death. She went through many procedures and medical visits that ultimately resulted in required surgeries. This was a scary time that resulted in a 6 weeks hospital stay and unexpected hospital debt. After the traumatic experience, she fully recovered and lived a healthy life.
However, a few years later the hernia returned. Tanzi began the medical process all over again, including multiple doctor visits per month. The doctors initially recommended only monitoring the hernia due to the extensive amount of scar tissue surrounding the area. Tanzi started to have intense, recurring pain, and was referred to an expert surgeon. After many tests, the surgeon concluded that the hernia is in critical condition and must be operated on immediately. We soon found out that not only must the hernia be removed but there must be organ reconstruction surgery for her body to function properly.
As eager as we all are for Tanzi to finally get this hernia permanently out of her body and be back to her normal, healthy, 26-year-old self, we are also finding ourselves in need of significant financial support from those we love to help cover Tanzi’s medical costs.
We are asking for $10,000 to cover the additional costs that will accumulate from Tanzi’s out-of-pocket payments for this upcoming two day surgery, medical procedures, lab testing, scans, and medications. Additionally, Tanzi will not be able to work during her approximately 3 month recovery. This will consist of 2 weeks in the ICU, 2 weeks in a standard hospital room, and 2 months in a care facility or at home recovering with a in home caretaker.
As a family, most of you know that Tanzi is no stranger to illnesses, hospitals and bills – as she was diagnosed with lupus in 2015. However, this specific journey for Tanzi will put a significant strain on her. We would truly be grateful for any kind of help you may be able to send our way.
I’m sure you have a few questions! We had a million. Here’s what I am more than happy to expand on and talk more about. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! While we can’t control the trials and hardship we are asked to face in life, one can only hope to help spread awareness and advocacy throughout the journey to serve as some kind of silver lining from it all.
WHAT IS A HIATAL HERNIA?
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm and into your chest region. When one of your abdominal organs moves upward into your chest through a defect (opening) in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscular barrier between the chest and abdominal cavities. It separates your heart and lungs from your abdominal organs (stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver).
HOW SICK IS TANZI?
About a year ago Tanzi started experiencing increased symptoms more than the usual reflux or heartburn. For long periods of time she would not be able to keep food or liquid down followed by heartburn along with chest and back pain. The hernia being at its worse is pushing her colon into the chest cavity. The physician believes that these episodes are signs of further damage in her intestines, twisted and blocking anything from going down. This is an early sign that a perforation will happen. There can be a time when the intestines twist and can't untwist which would lead to a perforation and a repeat of 2006 but only worse because of all the current scar tissue. She has been dealing with these conditions for several years now, without truly understanding why or how her body was acting the way it was. She has seen so many doctors and has waited so long for a real explanation for her symptoms and to have her body functioning properly again.
CAN I GIVE SOMETHING OTHER THAN MONEY?
Yes! Of course! We completely understand and appreciate all forms of love, thought and care from anyone who wants to give. Money is helpful, but so are home-cooked meals, thoughtful cards, texts and calls checking in, and sharing this GoFundMe post with people you know and most importantly – prayers, thoughts and good vibes for a successful and safe surgery!
Tanzi, myself, and her family could not be more appreciative and thankful for any assistance you can give us. Time and time again we have learned how important it is to have a community and support system you can count on to get you through the unthinkable. We hope to be able to reciprocate that same support to you. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.
Help spread the word!
Organizador y beneficiario
Taylor Franklin
Organizador
Norman, OK
Tanzania Montgomery
Beneficiario