Tim's and Amber's Surgery Fund
Donation protected
I am writing this on behalf of my brother Tim and his fiance Amber. These two have been going through a lot as we have just made the turn to 2017. They were just about to move to Hawaii (Owahu), where Tim would be starting a new job and Amber would be following shortley thereafter. They were in the midst of moving out of their apartment and putting a lot of their possessions in storage, or flat out giving their "gear" to good friends for safe keeping. This was going to be their big new adventure! Both of them have just undergone some pretty serious medical issues.
Early in December 2016, Tim wound up in the ER complaining of blurred vision, headaches, nausea, vertigo, sleeplessness and a just not so good feeling. He had been toughing these symptoms out for quite a while. For those of you who know my brother, you know he is quite a trooper and can put up with quite a lot. He knew something wasn't right. In fact he was feeling the same symptoms that he felt when he was in the hospital just 6 months prior. This first visit he was sent home after some blood work, a flu shot, and a "clean bill of health", and told to just rest. For the last few months he'd been going about his daily business, working at his job in Ventura, but not really surfing or rock climbing like he always did. It just made him feel like crap. He did manage to pick up the banjo and hang with his evil cat, Lucifer (who likes nobody but him), and continued to plan his future and enjoy life with Amber. When checking out his job prospect in Hawaii (just 1.5 months ago, he couldn't even surf...that's how bad this vertigo and headache feeling was. Imagine, being a surfer and not being able to surf your first trip to Hawaii!! Alas, during this pre-christmas ER trip, the doctor ordered an MRI.
Through the MRI, it was discovered that he had an area in the back of his brain that appeared to look like it had suffered an aneurysm. Apparently, it's not all that uncommon for many people to have very small brain aneurisms and go through their whole life and not have it affect them. A few days later he had an angiogram where they injected a dye that clarified what his diagnosis was: a Cavernous Malformation, aka a Cavernoma.
At first hearing this, I just had to suspect that this was the reason for all his goofyness these last 30 years! But seriously, found out that a cavernous malformation is not a brain aneurysm, but a region where small blood vessels bled and formed a shape similar to a rasberry in the brain-not good. This can be genetic and folks are born with it, or it can develop over time, but they aren't typically diagnosed until the 3rd to 4th decade of life. These are found in less than 0,5% of the population. To learn more about this, you can follow the link below:
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/cavernous-malformation/
The good news here was that this Cavernoma wasn't in a portion of the brain that would affect speech, memory, etc. Apparently it was in the white matter, not grey, which was good. It was also operable.
The bad news was that it needed to come out because if it continued to bleed, it could create pressure and constrict further blood from entering his brain.
Between Tim's diagnosis, and waiting for surgery, there was the classic paperwork, more tests, and insurance fun (Thank goodness, he did have insurance), he and Amber were in the process of moving out of their house - which they had already given up the lease before he was diagnosed. To add to this shit sandwhich of a shitstorm, Amber was scheduled to have surgery herself for Ovarian serous cystadenoma (I think that's what it's called) at the end of December. Her surgery went well but still left her in quite a bit of pain as she got to accompany Tim to his surgery day.
Thank goodness for the talented medical professionals and their successful operations on both of these two. Now the reality hits. Amber's out of pocket deductible was no chump change and I can't really speak for her. For Tim he quickly reached his 2016 maximum out of pocket deductible. With his surgery and final tests after the 1st of the year in 2017, he now gets to pay the maximum deductible again. I have no real idea of what he may be facing, but my conservative guess would probably be at least $5,000. These 2 did have a little bit of savings, but really, they've just been hit with a whole lot, in a very small amount of time. At this time, I don't think either are focusing on this part of the scenario, but I know that the reality of stressing over bills can really hurt a relationship.
After a month since his diagnosis, Tim successfully had his surgery yesterday. It was a successful, but long surgery (5-6 hours I think). When the operation was was described to me, it sounded like the amount of tissue to be taken out could be about the size of half of your pointer finger! Also, there was a 5-6% chance that complications could arise. Tim went into it with the attitude that "They are going to cut me open to see if I do indeed have a brain!"
Well, I'm pleased to announce that yesterday he was cracking a few jokes and asked for frozen yogurt. Today, they had him walk around a little bit, but not as much as the Doctor would have liked. It sounds like he is in more pain today, as day 2 and 3 can be tougher. He'll be in the hospital for 5 days or so. He's been sleeping a lot, and is pretty heavily medicated. I believe the full recovery is supposed to be from 3-5 weeks. Right now the doctor and nurses are just trying to keep his blood pressure down so that nothing hemorages.
I was very hesitant to start this campaign, mainly out of my own pride and ego. I just know that this is not about me, and it's about my brother. I've seen these go fund me accounts work for friends with loved ones with major medical expenses. I've heard of people raising money for new cars...which I don't think is a really appropriate use of a platform, but hey, to each their own. Really though, this is a platform where I can share what's going on with Tim and his road to recovery with his friends and family members far away. Do not feel obligated in anyway to give if you can't or don't believe in crowdfunding. Anything raised will go directly toward Tim's and Amber's medical bills. Anything above and beyond that will go to pay it forward to something good.
However, any and all positive thoughts, prayers, chi, or spirit fingers are greatly appreciated and accepted at this time. My family, Amber's family, and I know Tim and Amber would be forever grateful!
Thank you,
Ryan
Early in December 2016, Tim wound up in the ER complaining of blurred vision, headaches, nausea, vertigo, sleeplessness and a just not so good feeling. He had been toughing these symptoms out for quite a while. For those of you who know my brother, you know he is quite a trooper and can put up with quite a lot. He knew something wasn't right. In fact he was feeling the same symptoms that he felt when he was in the hospital just 6 months prior. This first visit he was sent home after some blood work, a flu shot, and a "clean bill of health", and told to just rest. For the last few months he'd been going about his daily business, working at his job in Ventura, but not really surfing or rock climbing like he always did. It just made him feel like crap. He did manage to pick up the banjo and hang with his evil cat, Lucifer (who likes nobody but him), and continued to plan his future and enjoy life with Amber. When checking out his job prospect in Hawaii (just 1.5 months ago, he couldn't even surf...that's how bad this vertigo and headache feeling was. Imagine, being a surfer and not being able to surf your first trip to Hawaii!! Alas, during this pre-christmas ER trip, the doctor ordered an MRI.
Through the MRI, it was discovered that he had an area in the back of his brain that appeared to look like it had suffered an aneurysm. Apparently, it's not all that uncommon for many people to have very small brain aneurisms and go through their whole life and not have it affect them. A few days later he had an angiogram where they injected a dye that clarified what his diagnosis was: a Cavernous Malformation, aka a Cavernoma.
At first hearing this, I just had to suspect that this was the reason for all his goofyness these last 30 years! But seriously, found out that a cavernous malformation is not a brain aneurysm, but a region where small blood vessels bled and formed a shape similar to a rasberry in the brain-not good. This can be genetic and folks are born with it, or it can develop over time, but they aren't typically diagnosed until the 3rd to 4th decade of life. These are found in less than 0,5% of the population. To learn more about this, you can follow the link below:
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/cavernous-malformation/
The good news here was that this Cavernoma wasn't in a portion of the brain that would affect speech, memory, etc. Apparently it was in the white matter, not grey, which was good. It was also operable.
The bad news was that it needed to come out because if it continued to bleed, it could create pressure and constrict further blood from entering his brain.
Between Tim's diagnosis, and waiting for surgery, there was the classic paperwork, more tests, and insurance fun (Thank goodness, he did have insurance), he and Amber were in the process of moving out of their house - which they had already given up the lease before he was diagnosed. To add to this shit sandwhich of a shitstorm, Amber was scheduled to have surgery herself for Ovarian serous cystadenoma (I think that's what it's called) at the end of December. Her surgery went well but still left her in quite a bit of pain as she got to accompany Tim to his surgery day.
Thank goodness for the talented medical professionals and their successful operations on both of these two. Now the reality hits. Amber's out of pocket deductible was no chump change and I can't really speak for her. For Tim he quickly reached his 2016 maximum out of pocket deductible. With his surgery and final tests after the 1st of the year in 2017, he now gets to pay the maximum deductible again. I have no real idea of what he may be facing, but my conservative guess would probably be at least $5,000. These 2 did have a little bit of savings, but really, they've just been hit with a whole lot, in a very small amount of time. At this time, I don't think either are focusing on this part of the scenario, but I know that the reality of stressing over bills can really hurt a relationship.
After a month since his diagnosis, Tim successfully had his surgery yesterday. It was a successful, but long surgery (5-6 hours I think). When the operation was was described to me, it sounded like the amount of tissue to be taken out could be about the size of half of your pointer finger! Also, there was a 5-6% chance that complications could arise. Tim went into it with the attitude that "They are going to cut me open to see if I do indeed have a brain!"
Well, I'm pleased to announce that yesterday he was cracking a few jokes and asked for frozen yogurt. Today, they had him walk around a little bit, but not as much as the Doctor would have liked. It sounds like he is in more pain today, as day 2 and 3 can be tougher. He'll be in the hospital for 5 days or so. He's been sleeping a lot, and is pretty heavily medicated. I believe the full recovery is supposed to be from 3-5 weeks. Right now the doctor and nurses are just trying to keep his blood pressure down so that nothing hemorages.
I was very hesitant to start this campaign, mainly out of my own pride and ego. I just know that this is not about me, and it's about my brother. I've seen these go fund me accounts work for friends with loved ones with major medical expenses. I've heard of people raising money for new cars...which I don't think is a really appropriate use of a platform, but hey, to each their own. Really though, this is a platform where I can share what's going on with Tim and his road to recovery with his friends and family members far away. Do not feel obligated in anyway to give if you can't or don't believe in crowdfunding. Anything raised will go directly toward Tim's and Amber's medical bills. Anything above and beyond that will go to pay it forward to something good.
However, any and all positive thoughts, prayers, chi, or spirit fingers are greatly appreciated and accepted at this time. My family, Amber's family, and I know Tim and Amber would be forever grateful!
Thank you,
Ryan
Organizer and beneficiary
Ryan Battleson
Organizer
Medford, OR
Tim Battleson
Beneficiary