Troy Christensen's epilepsy fund.
Donation protected
Oh how we love our dear sweet Troy.
As many of you know Troy has epilepsy. The actual diagnosis is "Uncontrollable Primary Generalized Seizure Disorder" which is hereditary and can never be fully controlled by modern medicine.
Through every seizure, accident, surgery, hospital stay and period of recovery he has NEVER allowed this health issue to rule his life. Troy manages this condition with courage, strength and an unbelievably positive attitude.
He single handedly has taken full responsibility for every aspect of his care and not once asked for help through this journey.
The cost for his treatments over the past many years really can't be calculated but he has managed the enormous financial burden without assistance.
He recently had surgery to have a Vagus Nerve Stimulator implant (Vagus Nerve Stimulator see link below). The surgery was completed at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Mayo Clinic is one of the world's leaders in cutting edge medical technology and treatments.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vagus-nerve-stimulation/home/ovc-20167755
The ultimate goal of having this procedure is to help Troy's seizures be better controlled. The VNS will allow him to hopefully change and/or reduce his medications, which have caused significant side effects that have impacted his quality of life. Aside from having invasive brain surgery, this procedure is a last resort course of treatment to help him control his seizures. Currently less than 200,000 people in the world have had the Vagus Nerve Stimulator implant.
Before the surgery he had to go through a 5-day study where he was admitted into Mayo Hospitals Epilepsy Montioring Unit (EMU). The goal of the EMU study is to induce a seizure so the hospital can get a detailed read of the exact type of seizure disorder the patient has. The main way to induce the patients seizures is by taken them off of their medicine when admitted. Troy was taken off his medicine Monday and had a seizure Wednsday evening and was diagnosed with Uncontrollable Primary Generalized Seizure Disorder. Like mentioned before this is something he has had since birth and is uncontrolled by modern medicine so he was allowed to move to the next step which was the VNS implant.
The five day stay and surgery was over $110,000. His medical benefits will cover roughly 70% of the entire medical costs. This does not include associated costs for lodging, travel, clinical visits, etc that have been incurred. Troy will continue to incur expenses for his treatment because of the multiple follow up visits he will have to have to titrate the VNS.
So, here is where we jump in! We need to rally behind this amazing man and give thanks for ALL the times he has been there for each and every one of us!
Troy is one of the most independent and self sufficient survivors we know. I'm astounded at his tenacity, mental strength and maturity as he has managed this all on his own. We are SO lucky that we now have a chance to give back in this simple way.
For more information about epilepsy and the specific surgery Troy recently had please take a look at the following links.
Vagus nerve stimulation - Overview
Learn more about services at Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vagus-nerve-stimulation/home/ovc-20167755
https://www.epilepsy.com/
Thanks for all your support!
As many of you know Troy has epilepsy. The actual diagnosis is "Uncontrollable Primary Generalized Seizure Disorder" which is hereditary and can never be fully controlled by modern medicine.
Through every seizure, accident, surgery, hospital stay and period of recovery he has NEVER allowed this health issue to rule his life. Troy manages this condition with courage, strength and an unbelievably positive attitude.
He single handedly has taken full responsibility for every aspect of his care and not once asked for help through this journey.
The cost for his treatments over the past many years really can't be calculated but he has managed the enormous financial burden without assistance.
He recently had surgery to have a Vagus Nerve Stimulator implant (Vagus Nerve Stimulator see link below). The surgery was completed at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Mayo Clinic is one of the world's leaders in cutting edge medical technology and treatments.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vagus-nerve-stimulation/home/ovc-20167755
The ultimate goal of having this procedure is to help Troy's seizures be better controlled. The VNS will allow him to hopefully change and/or reduce his medications, which have caused significant side effects that have impacted his quality of life. Aside from having invasive brain surgery, this procedure is a last resort course of treatment to help him control his seizures. Currently less than 200,000 people in the world have had the Vagus Nerve Stimulator implant.
Before the surgery he had to go through a 5-day study where he was admitted into Mayo Hospitals Epilepsy Montioring Unit (EMU). The goal of the EMU study is to induce a seizure so the hospital can get a detailed read of the exact type of seizure disorder the patient has. The main way to induce the patients seizures is by taken them off of their medicine when admitted. Troy was taken off his medicine Monday and had a seizure Wednsday evening and was diagnosed with Uncontrollable Primary Generalized Seizure Disorder. Like mentioned before this is something he has had since birth and is uncontrolled by modern medicine so he was allowed to move to the next step which was the VNS implant.
The five day stay and surgery was over $110,000. His medical benefits will cover roughly 70% of the entire medical costs. This does not include associated costs for lodging, travel, clinical visits, etc that have been incurred. Troy will continue to incur expenses for his treatment because of the multiple follow up visits he will have to have to titrate the VNS.
So, here is where we jump in! We need to rally behind this amazing man and give thanks for ALL the times he has been there for each and every one of us!
Troy is one of the most independent and self sufficient survivors we know. I'm astounded at his tenacity, mental strength and maturity as he has managed this all on his own. We are SO lucky that we now have a chance to give back in this simple way.
For more information about epilepsy and the specific surgery Troy recently had please take a look at the following links.
Vagus nerve stimulation - Overview
Learn more about services at Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vagus-nerve-stimulation/home/ovc-20167755
https://www.epilepsy.com/
Thanks for all your support!
Organizer and beneficiary
Preston Brown
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
Troy Christensen
Beneficiary
Inspired to help? Start a fundraiser for someone you know
