Dustin’s Medical Expenses

Hello everyone,

I am Dustin’s cousin, Paige. I’m setting up this account to help Dustin ease the past and growing medical expenses from the nightmare he’s had to go through the past couple months. All proceeds will be going directly to Dustin and his care.

Up until a couple months ago Dustin was working full time at Zenders in Frankenmuth when he became sick.

He was throwing up constantly, couldn’t keep anything down. He lost over 40lbs and was severely dehydrated. He was in and out of multiple hospitals, doctors, specialists, and even outpatient clinics, and yet they kept letting him go home or passing him off to the next doctor. After finally being able to get some tests done, it showed a stomach ulcer at the top blocking his esophagus. They tried to prescribe medicine and sent him on his way, but Dustin couldn’t keep it down.

On November 22nd, my Aunt Katie took Dustin to Lapeer hospital for what he though was a panic attack. When they arrived an EKG showed he was having a heart attack. Due to the severity of his condition they wanted to transfer him. They waited in the emergency department for 2 days while they were waiting for a bed to open up. Doctors decided they couldn’t wait any longer and had to admit Dustin due to the rapid weight loss and overall health decline. They tried to insert a J tube but it was to dangerous because his stomach was up under his rib cage, so they inserted an NG tube. Dustin started to bleed and then clot shortly after. He was in excruciating pain and his hemoglobin dropped drastically.

Thanksgiving day the doctors called and informed us that Dustin was going in for emergency surgery. When my aunt and grandmother got up to the hospital they were told they had to remove 80% of his stomach due to it rupturing. He was sedated, on a ventilator and had an open wound/wound vac. They also had to insert a different feeding tube and drainage tube.

A few days later Dustin started throwing up blood so they had to go in again for another major emergency surgery. They found another hole in his stomach and a blood clot in his intestines. After repairing and removing that he was sedated and on the ventilator again. Since then he’s undergone several more surgeries, blood and plasma transfusions, currently he still has a hole in his stomach they are unable to close at this time, internal bleeding, is still in the wound vac, has a feeding tube, drainage tubes, pic line, central line in his neck and so much more. Doctors have been trying to transfer him to Henry Ford Main in Detroit with no luck. They are still waiting on a bed to open up.

He didn’t have insurance for the first month and a half of all of this and his mother is fighting to get those past bills paid but it’s not a guarantee. Dustin will also have to be on special food for his feeding tube and as of right now Insurance will not cover the one he needs.

He has an extremely long road to recovery and he’s not even out of the water yet. Dustin needs all the help and prayers he can get. He is going to have to go to rehab to learn how to eat again and get his strength back. Family is going to have to purchase special medical equipment including a bed, recliner, feeding tube supplies and much more for him to be able to come home. Dustin will be unable to work for an unknown extended period of time and still has his everyday bills as well.

Dustin is a 20 year old hard working, responsible, and loving young man. He’d give the shirt off his back despite all the obstacles he’s faced throughout his lifetime. He’s gone through so much more than a kid should ever have to go through.

We’re still praying for a miracle and complete healing. The best donation anyone could possibly give is prayers, and reaching out to the family with loving words and support. The family (and Dustin) appreciate every single one of you.

If you feel led to provide a monetary donation, just know that any little bit will make a huge difference in Dustin’s present and future care. We are forever grateful.