Medical Fund for Gabriel
Donation protected
In August of 2018, Matt and Sarah Streams’s son Gabriel, then 9 months old, was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation Type 1 (CM1) and Hydrocephalus (excess cerebral fluid). CM1 occurs when you have a small or misshaped skull, which causes the skull to put pressure on the brain, forcing it downward and into the spinal canal. The structural defect can block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the brain and the spinal cord, which is what was causing Gabriel's Hydrocephalus. A few days after being diagnosed, Gabriel had brain surgery to reduce the amount of fluid in his brain and allow better flow. This was successful, unfortunately, it was not enough.
At the beginning of December 2018, Gabriel was also diagnosed with Bilateral Paralysis of the Vocal Cords, a symptom found in Chiari patients. This is an unexpected life-threatening symptom that prevents him from breathing properly and must be surgically treated.
On December 19, 2018, Gabriel will have major brain surgery—Posterior Fossa Decompression with Duraplasty. The Neurosurgeon will remove a piece of his skull and open the dura (the membrane around the brain) in an attempt to relieve the pressure on the brain. Currently, if all goes as planned, Gabriel, Sarah and Matt should spend 5 days in the hospital, but because of Gabriel's young age, the future is unknown and we need to pray that God guides the doctor's in the right direction.
Many people have asked how to help the Streams family during this difficult time. One way to support them would be with a financial contribution. On top the of the stress of the holiday season, funds are needed to cover a few medical bills (thankfully most have been covered by insurance), a pulse oximeter to monitor him while sleeping, parking ($30 a day while in the hospital and $12 per appointment), meals in the hospital, and travel costs to and from the numerous appointments. Any donations collected exceeding current needs will be placed in a fund to help cover Gabriel’s ongoing treatment or donated to the Chiari Research Fund.
Please help as you can and pray with us for a Christmas miracle for sweet Baby Gabriel. Check back as we’ll be posting updates with how the surgery goes and his progress. Thank you!!
At the beginning of December 2018, Gabriel was also diagnosed with Bilateral Paralysis of the Vocal Cords, a symptom found in Chiari patients. This is an unexpected life-threatening symptom that prevents him from breathing properly and must be surgically treated.
On December 19, 2018, Gabriel will have major brain surgery—Posterior Fossa Decompression with Duraplasty. The Neurosurgeon will remove a piece of his skull and open the dura (the membrane around the brain) in an attempt to relieve the pressure on the brain. Currently, if all goes as planned, Gabriel, Sarah and Matt should spend 5 days in the hospital, but because of Gabriel's young age, the future is unknown and we need to pray that God guides the doctor's in the right direction.
Many people have asked how to help the Streams family during this difficult time. One way to support them would be with a financial contribution. On top the of the stress of the holiday season, funds are needed to cover a few medical bills (thankfully most have been covered by insurance), a pulse oximeter to monitor him while sleeping, parking ($30 a day while in the hospital and $12 per appointment), meals in the hospital, and travel costs to and from the numerous appointments. Any donations collected exceeding current needs will be placed in a fund to help cover Gabriel’s ongoing treatment or donated to the Chiari Research Fund.
Please help as you can and pray with us for a Christmas miracle for sweet Baby Gabriel. Check back as we’ll be posting updates with how the surgery goes and his progress. Thank you!!
Organizer
Shara Fagnant
Organizer
Rosenberg, TX
