THANKS for Helping TRISTAN to Talk and Walk Again!

Thanks for Helping Tristan Talk and Walk Again!!

From the Nicolas, Dutiaume and Bukowski clans.

Dear Family and Friends:

We wanted to send all of you a quick update on Tristan. He continues to do well, making strides in his recovery. He recently met with his Neuro Team and had another CAT scan. The scan confirmed significant permanent damage to the left hemisphere of his brain. The good news is that Tristan continues to amaze us with his ability to draw from
other areas of his brain to compensate for the loss. And other great news is that the Neuro Team has slated surgery for the middle of October to rebuild and replace the portions of his skull that were removed after the stroke. And t
here is still hope that as the swelling and pressure recede, we will see him regain more functioning.
 
In an earlier post we mentioned that we would like to do a benefit social in November to help Jen and Tristan.
Denise and Al have decided to postpone the social because of the uncertainty of a possible 4th wave of COVID.
They will also have a better sense of what Tristan’s medical expenses will be going forward. You may recall we
launched this GoFundMe in June when we had no idea what to expect and what would be covered by Jen’s
insurance. Well our prayers were answered with the State of Minnesota/Medicaid insurance picking up Tristan’s
stay in ICU and Recovery from April 6-May 20th ($515,000 US) and his rehab stay May 20 – June 15th ($170,000 US). You can imagine the sense of relief it was to Denise, Al and Jen to receive this good news. They will not have to tap into their life savings and Jen will not have to declare bankruptcy. This is not to say that they are completely
out of the clear financially but at least they won’t have this black cloud of major debt hanging over their heads.  
 
Going forward, the $15,000 raised from the GoFundMe is going toward supplemental therapy and equipment not covered by Jen’s  insurance and will keep Tristan and his family afloat for the next year.  That said, the GoFundMe
will be active until the end of the month and then will be shut down.  
 
The Nicolas, Dutiaume and Bukowski clans can’t thank you enough for all your prayers and financial support.
We are disappointed that we can't hold the social but it will be so much “sweeter” when we can gather safely
without the fear of COVID.  And maybe Tristan and Jen might be able to join us!