The Kleyn Family
Donation protected
**UPDATE FROM MELISSA ADDED TO TIMELINE**
Hey there!
My name is Jenna and I wanted to start this fundraiser to help support the Kleyn family with ongoing treatments as they search for something that will actually work to keep Evan pain-free, and with medical bills that aren’t covered by insurance, monthly bills, and get caught up on anything that had to be pushed aside during these months of hospital/specialist visits trying to find answers.
Evan has had ongoing medical issues with his back and spine, which ultimately affect his neck and head and much of the time the pain has been debilitating. My hope is this allows them to focus on Evan and his recovery and not have to worry about some of the financial stuff since Melissa is the only one who has been able to work and will have to be the sole provider for the unseen future.
If you know the Kleyn's and have been blessed enough to have them as friends, you already know that they are some of the most generous and selfless people you will meet. My family has been on the receiving end of their giving hearts and they always give, asking and expecting nothing in return. They would prefer it to be that way. But now, it's our turn to help them.
It is hard to ask for financial assistance for yourself; That's why I am asking on their behalf, to prayerfully consider donating to help with medical bills, keep up with monthly bills and other expenses that come up. And if enough is donated, maybe save to be able to put something towards a new (to them) car, as their other has become too unreliable to drive.
For the Kleyn's, it is not a pride issue when it comes to not wanting to ask for help. It's because they are so humble and feel undeserving and feel others deserve help before they do.
Melissa has been working full-time to try to help support them but with the ongoing hospital stays, specialist appointments, ER visits, in addition to having 2 girls in school, she has been carrying a heavy load, to say the least.
GoFundMe takes out platform and processing fees from the total amount raised. If you would like to donate and have 100% go to them, please Venmo Melissa or PayPal me, with a memo "donation for Kleyn's."
Venmo: Melissa-Kleyn
PayPal:
For those of you who aren't familiar with their situation and how long they've been fighting to get a treatment for Evan that works and will correct the issues, below is a timeline of what they have been dealing with:
- 7 years of back pain lead to spinal pain
- May, 2020: Stimulator was placed in his spine. During this surgery, Evan developed a spinal fluid leak.
- He had 2 blood patches which worked well until...
- November 6, 2022: Evan started having debilitating headaches and was in such extreme pain that he was admitted to the hospital for 5 days. They thought he had a CSF Leak.
- 2 more blood patches which gave him pain relief until...
- May 19, 2023: extreme head pain again, which was debilitating and was affecting day-to-day life.
- Admitted to the hospital for another 5 day stay.
- The hospital wanted to send them to Duke University to a spine specialist.
- With the help of the hospital social worker, they were able to find a CSF Specialist at U of M (in Byron Center, not Ann Arbor).
- May 25, 2023: U of M West: Evan underwent surgery for an IR spinal myelogram to detect any spinal fluid leaks, followed by a full spinal blood patch performed by Dr. Elias.
- July, 2023, U of M West: Dr. Elias performed another full spinal blood patch but informed us that he could no longer assist further after this one with our treatment as he didn’t know what to do next. He referred us to U of M Hospital in Ann Arbor.
- October, 2023, Trinity Health Hospital: Evan saw a neurologist who suggested trying a nerve block. Unfortunately, it did not help.
- November, 2023, Emergency Room Visit: Imaging and pain management were provided, but no progress toward a diagnosis or solution.
- September, 2024, Trinity Health Emergency Room: Admitted for extreme, debilitating pain. Evan was treated for the pain and discharged with a recommendation to contact a local neurosurgeon.
- February, 2024, U of M Ann Arbor: After seeing a regular Neurologist at U of M, he insisted we were seen by both a Neuro Pain Management Dr. and a neurointerventional radiologist; So that’s 3 more new doctors to meet.
- April, 2024, U of M Ann Arbor: The neurointerventional radiologist performed a high-volume fibrin-glue blood patch.
- May, 2024, U of M Ann Arbor: Another high-volume glue and blood patch was performed. At this time, the radiologist informed us that no further blood patches would be done unless Evan’s back pain stimulator was removed, as it was believed to be causing the spinal fluid leaks. So now, another new Doctor! Referral to a Neurosurgeon this time .
- September, 2024, U of M Ann Arbor Neurosurgery: Evan met with a neurosurgeon who agreed to remove the back pain stimulator. The surgery was successful removing the device.
- Post-Surgery (November, 2024): After six weeks of recovery from surgery, the surgeon reached out to radiologist at U of M Ann Arbor for that final blood patch like he states he would do but then that Dr. declined to perform another blood patch even after this was his original plan, leaving us heartbroken and back to square one. The neurosurgeon was amazing trying to advocate for us to get it but he could only do so much.
- January 7, 2025, Emergency Room Visit: Evan was treated for pain and advised to find a new neurology doctor - We had a referral put into Great Lakes Neurosurgery as they have a very large team. We got a call from them last week that they do not have the capability to treat spinal fluid leak patients at their office.
Current Challenges and Status:
- Blood Patches’ Impact: One of the most frustrating aspects of this journey is that every blood patch Evan has ever received has temporarily relieved his head pain, pressure, and all other spinal fluid leak symptoms. While some blood patches provided relief for only two weeks and others for a few months, the relief has never been long-lasting. The pain and debilitating symptoms always return, leaving us in this cycle of searching for answers and solutions. We are now working closely with our primary care doctor, desperately trying to find a specialist who can help us. Despite everything, we feel like we’re stuck in a loop, being passed from doctor to doctor, retelling Evan’s story over and over, only to feel unheard, dismissed, or told they can’t help. We currently have NO appointments lined up at this time as we need to see who is out there that can even help at this point. We feel we have exhausted our options.
- Exhaustion and Frustration: We are exhausted, weary, and emotionally drained from this ongoing battle. Each time we explain Evan’s condition, we’re met with skepticism, and many doctors assume he’s simply dealing with migraines. But this is not just a migraine—Evan lives in daily, debilitating pain that even high doses of intense pain medication barely touch. It’s heartbreaking to watch him endure this level of suffering while feeling completely powerless to find answers or relief. And a lot of days watching him just lay in our dark bedroom - hiding from any light and sound that make the pain even worse, missing out on so much life to be lived.
- Insurance Limitations: Our insurance does not cover treatment at spinal fluid leak clinics outside Michigan, further limiting our options for specialized care, as we looked into Duke University and Mayo Clinic.
- New Hope, but Financial Hurdles: We’ve identified the Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute, a clinic in Michigan offering intensive, personalized care. Their approach includes full-day assessments and, if needed, inpatient hospitalization until a solution is found. Unfortunately, this clinic does not accept our insurance, and all costs would need to be self-pay.
How You Can Help:
Your support, whether financial or through prayer, means the world to us. We continue asking for your prayers during this difficult season. Please pray for Evan’s healing, for guidance in finding the right doctors, and for our family’s strength and perseverance as we navigate this long and challenging journey. We are holding onto Gods Promises, even when it feels dark and like the medical system is failing us. Your kindness, prayers, and support remind us that we are not walking this road alone. Thank you for standing with us.
Evan, Melissa, Skyler and Ella Kleyn
Organizer
Jenna Nance
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI