Help support the Griffin family
Donation protected
Hello! I’m Angela Lyda (Melissa Griffin’s sister), and I’m reaching out to help support my sister, her husband Nathan, and their two daughters, Fiona (age 6) and Hattie (4 months), after what I can only explain as a scary situation that is ongoing and unresolved.
WHAT HAPPENED/IS HAPPENING?
Nathan was recently hospitalized with complications due to a Hypertensive Crisis (severe high blood pressure). He had been experiencing vision impairment for a few days. He made an appointment with his eye doctor, thinking he needed some glasses. During the examination, it was discovered that there was damage to both optic nerves. Nathan was then referred to an internal medicine doctor. The next day, Melissa and Nathan went to the appointment and after the doctor took his blood pressure, she immediately admitted him the ER.
The ER doctors were able to administer blood pressure medication that brought his blood pressure down a bit, but it wasn’t enough. They also ran blood tests, an MRI, a CT, and an EKG. The complications from the high blood pressure caused damage to his kidneys, optic nerves, swelling of the left ventricle, and there was some evidence of small strokes on his brain. All of these results, placed Nathan in the ICU at Ridges for two days. The doctors were able to bring his blood pressure down with medication and IV support, but his vision was not improving and there were still a lot of questions about the damage on his kidneys. So, he was transferred (by ambulance) to the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
He is home now, but still experiencing complications. His vision is still impaired, leaving him unable to work and/or care for their children without help. He will continue to go in for regular checkups to monitor and further diagnose what exactly is occurring. More updates to come there.
WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP:
When things like this happen, most people ask what they can do to help. Especially those of us who aren’t local and can't stop by, bring food, watch the girls, etc. Even the smallest of donations ($1, $5, $10) can have a direct and positive impact on their current situation.
The exact medical expenses (2 nights in the ICU, ambulance transfers, medical testing, medications, etc.) are still unknown, but the expectation is that it will, by far, exceed what they have available to pay. In addition to those expenses, Nathan is not able to return to work (due to his vision impairment), so his income is currently on hold. Nathan had an employment status as his job that does not allow for unemployment or disability claims, so any lost work is lost pay for the family.
Lost income with a brand new baby is about as scary as it gets financially. If we can help them with the unknown expenses, at least they can breathe a little easier, as they traverse the unknown with Nathan's health.
THANK YOU!
We all deeply love Melissa, Nathan, Fiona, and Hattie. I PERSONALLY thank you, beyond words, for anything you can do to help this amazing family of four brave through this scary, unknown time.
WHAT HAPPENED/IS HAPPENING?
Nathan was recently hospitalized with complications due to a Hypertensive Crisis (severe high blood pressure). He had been experiencing vision impairment for a few days. He made an appointment with his eye doctor, thinking he needed some glasses. During the examination, it was discovered that there was damage to both optic nerves. Nathan was then referred to an internal medicine doctor. The next day, Melissa and Nathan went to the appointment and after the doctor took his blood pressure, she immediately admitted him the ER.
The ER doctors were able to administer blood pressure medication that brought his blood pressure down a bit, but it wasn’t enough. They also ran blood tests, an MRI, a CT, and an EKG. The complications from the high blood pressure caused damage to his kidneys, optic nerves, swelling of the left ventricle, and there was some evidence of small strokes on his brain. All of these results, placed Nathan in the ICU at Ridges for two days. The doctors were able to bring his blood pressure down with medication and IV support, but his vision was not improving and there were still a lot of questions about the damage on his kidneys. So, he was transferred (by ambulance) to the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
He is home now, but still experiencing complications. His vision is still impaired, leaving him unable to work and/or care for their children without help. He will continue to go in for regular checkups to monitor and further diagnose what exactly is occurring. More updates to come there.
WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP:
When things like this happen, most people ask what they can do to help. Especially those of us who aren’t local and can't stop by, bring food, watch the girls, etc. Even the smallest of donations ($1, $5, $10) can have a direct and positive impact on their current situation.
The exact medical expenses (2 nights in the ICU, ambulance transfers, medical testing, medications, etc.) are still unknown, but the expectation is that it will, by far, exceed what they have available to pay. In addition to those expenses, Nathan is not able to return to work (due to his vision impairment), so his income is currently on hold. Nathan had an employment status as his job that does not allow for unemployment or disability claims, so any lost work is lost pay for the family.
Lost income with a brand new baby is about as scary as it gets financially. If we can help them with the unknown expenses, at least they can breathe a little easier, as they traverse the unknown with Nathan's health.
THANK YOU!
We all deeply love Melissa, Nathan, Fiona, and Hattie. I PERSONALLY thank you, beyond words, for anything you can do to help this amazing family of four brave through this scary, unknown time.
Organiser and beneficiary
Angela Lyda
Organiser
Alameda, CA
Melissa A. Griffin
Beneficiary
