Medical Referral Expenses
Donation protected
My name is Brooklyn Ybanez and I am currently 20 years old. At the age of 18, I took a trip to Guam for vacation. On July 21st, 2018 I was at this place called “Sky Zone.” I was in this foam pit and when I attempted to get out, my right knee popped out of place. I was in so much pain and was immediately rushed to Guam Memorial Hospital. After being seen, they ruled it as a sprained knee. I went back to my AIRBNB and decided to take a shower and ended up slipping in the shower, causing my right knee to pop out again. I did not go to the hospital again. Instead, I flew back to Saipan to recover at home, and I spent a few weeks in a wheelchair.
A week later, I was seen by a doctor and he recommended that I rest and elevate my knee in order to bring the swelling down. After recovering, it took me one month to get an appointment at one of the physical therapy clinics here on island, due to our lack of resources. I went to therapy only three times then Super Typhoon Yutu hit. My therapy facility did not open until the beginning of February. Due to the limited therapists, they were only able to see me once a week. Since then, I’ve tried every knee brace available, crutches, leg wraps, etc., with no relief. My knee was still extremely weak and I needed to work towards re-building my muscles in my thigh. After numerous check-ups, my primary doctor (a bone specialist stationed at the Family Care Clinic at CHCC) recommended surgery for my knee. He advised me to get the surgery because my “knee will always pop out of place, because of how high my knee cap is.”
I recently got approved for Medical Referral and will be leaving in December! I will be getting my surgery done at the Kang Dong Orthopedic Hospital that is located in Busan, South Korea. Depending on the evaluations my doctor makes, these are the possible surgeries I might receive: an Arthroscopic Patellar Retinacular Release, Distal Alignment Procedure: Tibial Tuberosity Osteotomy, Med. Displacement Osteo Osteotomy, or a Screw Fixation. According to my doctor, this is a life-long condition. Physical therapy has not helped me much, and my condition prevents me from having a normal life. It is extremely painful when I am standing, sitting, or walking for a long period of time. My knee gets swollen after a regular day at school. My knee is not in its rightful place and is positioned more to the left. I am in constant pain and fear all because of my knee. To make matters worse, I was recently diagnosed with Type II Diabetes--a condition that can be regulated with diet and exercise. I am unable to exercise because of my knee, so I am forced to take medication to control my blood sugar. I am always so uncomfortable and cannot do daily activities without my knee aching or swelling. Taking showers and even something as simple as putting clothes on are very difficult for me. My leg is always hyperextended and causes me to limp every time I take a step. This surgery could be really beneficial for me because it will prevent further damage to my knee, and hopefully provide some relief for my constant pain. It will help me go to school, exercise to control my Diabetes, work, walk and drive better, and just attempt to live a normal life. I am hopeful that my pain and fear will be at ease and recovery will be successful. This surgery would surely change the quality of my life for many years to come.
The money raised will be used for any additional charges that will not be covered by Medical Referral. Some of these charges may include: Additional checkups after surgery by medical necessity, physical therapy for recovery that may be applicable with additional charge, pick up/drop off at the airport, caregiver, hotels, individual cast or brace and a hospital room. Because the payment is based on my medical records and the standard quotation, the final amount after all of the procedures and therapy is based on my personal recovery condition and difficulty level of operations and anesthesia, which could increase fees.
Please help me during this time of need, as I work towards a life of normalcy. Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness.
With Gratitude,
Brooklyn Jay Ybanez
A week later, I was seen by a doctor and he recommended that I rest and elevate my knee in order to bring the swelling down. After recovering, it took me one month to get an appointment at one of the physical therapy clinics here on island, due to our lack of resources. I went to therapy only three times then Super Typhoon Yutu hit. My therapy facility did not open until the beginning of February. Due to the limited therapists, they were only able to see me once a week. Since then, I’ve tried every knee brace available, crutches, leg wraps, etc., with no relief. My knee was still extremely weak and I needed to work towards re-building my muscles in my thigh. After numerous check-ups, my primary doctor (a bone specialist stationed at the Family Care Clinic at CHCC) recommended surgery for my knee. He advised me to get the surgery because my “knee will always pop out of place, because of how high my knee cap is.”
I recently got approved for Medical Referral and will be leaving in December! I will be getting my surgery done at the Kang Dong Orthopedic Hospital that is located in Busan, South Korea. Depending on the evaluations my doctor makes, these are the possible surgeries I might receive: an Arthroscopic Patellar Retinacular Release, Distal Alignment Procedure: Tibial Tuberosity Osteotomy, Med. Displacement Osteo Osteotomy, or a Screw Fixation. According to my doctor, this is a life-long condition. Physical therapy has not helped me much, and my condition prevents me from having a normal life. It is extremely painful when I am standing, sitting, or walking for a long period of time. My knee gets swollen after a regular day at school. My knee is not in its rightful place and is positioned more to the left. I am in constant pain and fear all because of my knee. To make matters worse, I was recently diagnosed with Type II Diabetes--a condition that can be regulated with diet and exercise. I am unable to exercise because of my knee, so I am forced to take medication to control my blood sugar. I am always so uncomfortable and cannot do daily activities without my knee aching or swelling. Taking showers and even something as simple as putting clothes on are very difficult for me. My leg is always hyperextended and causes me to limp every time I take a step. This surgery could be really beneficial for me because it will prevent further damage to my knee, and hopefully provide some relief for my constant pain. It will help me go to school, exercise to control my Diabetes, work, walk and drive better, and just attempt to live a normal life. I am hopeful that my pain and fear will be at ease and recovery will be successful. This surgery would surely change the quality of my life for many years to come.
The money raised will be used for any additional charges that will not be covered by Medical Referral. Some of these charges may include: Additional checkups after surgery by medical necessity, physical therapy for recovery that may be applicable with additional charge, pick up/drop off at the airport, caregiver, hotels, individual cast or brace and a hospital room. Because the payment is based on my medical records and the standard quotation, the final amount after all of the procedures and therapy is based on my personal recovery condition and difficulty level of operations and anesthesia, which could increase fees.
Please help me during this time of need, as I work towards a life of normalcy. Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness.
With Gratitude,
Brooklyn Jay Ybanez
Organizer
Brooklyn Ybanez
Organizer
Saipan, MP
