Long Family Medical Fund
Donation protected
This is a picture of my sister's family the Long family. Russell and Michelle are the parents of 4 great kids! Thomas who you see in the wheel chair is their oldest son. He turned 20 this last October, he celebrated his birthday In the middle of being sick. Thomas has Cerebral Palsy and has had a pump that administers bacolofin to his spine that has helped give him a good quality of life since he was five years old. Unfortunately, the pump system & spinal catheter has failed him. He was admitted to the hospital on August 2nd 2016 with a fever and delirium. The doctors had to do a process of elimination, all the while Thomas was in and out of delirium experiencing excruciating pain, unable to eat, drink or even talk.
During this time their daughter who was adopted from China and is 7 had to undergo an open heart surgery to fix an artery that was coming out the wrong side of her heart. If left as is, could lead to death. So Russ and Michelle were split between to hospitals in Portland, OR with two children at home. 1 month prior to this, their son who is 3 also adopted from China underwent his second surgery and had to be restricted to the couch for two weeks. Can you image keeping a toddler on the couch for two weeks?
Back to Thomas, they finally determined that the pump needed to be replaced and replace it they did. At first all seemed well and Thomas started to get better but then all the symptoms started again. The doctors realized that the spinal catheter needed to be replaced so they replaced it and Thomas started improving again. A few days later it became apparent that Thomas had developed Spinal Meningitis which is a risk when replacing the spinal catheter. They had to go in and replace the catheter again to get rid of the Meningitis. A couple of days later they discovered that Thomas has a fungal infection in his blood (from the pic line) that can cause death. They immediately had to remove the pump and spinal catheter as Thomas's body was not healing and the system was infected and could prevent him from healing. Thomas is an inspiration of faith and hope, telling his mother right before the last surgery to never loose faith in God or give up hope. Even singing his favorite praise songs in his pain.
Thomas still has both infections and is still in a lot of pain with fever and delirium. The doctors do not really know what more to do for him and they will be sending home soon, where he will need around the clock care. The rehab centers have refused to accept him, so the only option is to care for him at home. Their daughter is also scheduled for another surgery for her eye in the next week. Russ and Michelle's cars have had to be in the shop a couple of times due to the extra travel.
Russell and Michelle have been so blessed by all the people who have reached out and helped in many ways from bringing a meal, to praying for strength and healing for their family and they are so grateful for all the support and couldn't have gotten through this without everyone coming together and holding them up. Many people have asked how else they can help. So I am reaching out to everyone who would like to participate in helping the Long Family, to let you know how you can help.
1) Encouraging words and an empathetic ear in times of trouble are such a gift.
2) Pray, pray & pray! Pray for encouragement & strength for this family. Pray for health and wholeness for the whole Long family.
3) Donate what you can as you feel led and please share this gofundme with your friends and family so we can get the word out. If we all come together and give in what way we can it will make a huge difference. The cost of care for Thomas for around the clock in-home care is $600 a day. That will equal about $36,000 until Thomas qualifies for the program that will allow for in-home care to be covered. Not to mention the co-pays for the other children's surgeries and car repairs.
Again Russell and Michelle want to thank everyone for their support and love. Russ and Michelle have loved with their whole hearts the children that God has blessed them with and wouldn't change anything for the world to have the opportunity to be their parents to care for and love them for who God created them to be!
Thank you and God Bless
During this time their daughter who was adopted from China and is 7 had to undergo an open heart surgery to fix an artery that was coming out the wrong side of her heart. If left as is, could lead to death. So Russ and Michelle were split between to hospitals in Portland, OR with two children at home. 1 month prior to this, their son who is 3 also adopted from China underwent his second surgery and had to be restricted to the couch for two weeks. Can you image keeping a toddler on the couch for two weeks?
Back to Thomas, they finally determined that the pump needed to be replaced and replace it they did. At first all seemed well and Thomas started to get better but then all the symptoms started again. The doctors realized that the spinal catheter needed to be replaced so they replaced it and Thomas started improving again. A few days later it became apparent that Thomas had developed Spinal Meningitis which is a risk when replacing the spinal catheter. They had to go in and replace the catheter again to get rid of the Meningitis. A couple of days later they discovered that Thomas has a fungal infection in his blood (from the pic line) that can cause death. They immediately had to remove the pump and spinal catheter as Thomas's body was not healing and the system was infected and could prevent him from healing. Thomas is an inspiration of faith and hope, telling his mother right before the last surgery to never loose faith in God or give up hope. Even singing his favorite praise songs in his pain.
Thomas still has both infections and is still in a lot of pain with fever and delirium. The doctors do not really know what more to do for him and they will be sending home soon, where he will need around the clock care. The rehab centers have refused to accept him, so the only option is to care for him at home. Their daughter is also scheduled for another surgery for her eye in the next week. Russ and Michelle's cars have had to be in the shop a couple of times due to the extra travel.
Russell and Michelle have been so blessed by all the people who have reached out and helped in many ways from bringing a meal, to praying for strength and healing for their family and they are so grateful for all the support and couldn't have gotten through this without everyone coming together and holding them up. Many people have asked how else they can help. So I am reaching out to everyone who would like to participate in helping the Long Family, to let you know how you can help.
1) Encouraging words and an empathetic ear in times of trouble are such a gift.
2) Pray, pray & pray! Pray for encouragement & strength for this family. Pray for health and wholeness for the whole Long family.
3) Donate what you can as you feel led and please share this gofundme with your friends and family so we can get the word out. If we all come together and give in what way we can it will make a huge difference. The cost of care for Thomas for around the clock in-home care is $600 a day. That will equal about $36,000 until Thomas qualifies for the program that will allow for in-home care to be covered. Not to mention the co-pays for the other children's surgeries and car repairs.
Again Russell and Michelle want to thank everyone for their support and love. Russ and Michelle have loved with their whole hearts the children that God has blessed them with and wouldn't change anything for the world to have the opportunity to be their parents to care for and love them for who God created them to be!
Thank you and God Bless
Organiser and beneficiary
Lisa Harvey-Henton
Organiser
Lincoln City, OR
Russell Long
Beneficiary
