Caroline Ryan's Medical Expenses

Thank You Dear Friends and Incredibly Generous Strangers!

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A better understanding of the magnitude of the hardship that Caroline's family is facing prompted me to rethink the purpose of this site and substantially increase our financial goal.  Please read on for a detailed update and explanation.

First let me thank all of you for the generous contributions you have made or are planning to make.  This fundraiser was started as an emergency response, and the initial outpouring of support made a huge difference in terms of meeting immediate needs, and hearing supporting voices from close friends and family as well as from complete strangers.

Over the past week a clearer picture of both Caroline's health situation and the family's financial needs has emerged.  And while there is some good news regarding Caroline’s diagnosis (more on that below), the financial implications of this ordeal are mounting.  With this in mind, it is time for a longer-term plan.  I updated the site with more detailed health and financial information (approved by the family), while trying to preserve as much of their privacy as was possible and still communicate the gravity of their problem.  (I also finalized the beneficiary designation, so now all funds raised go directly and automatically to Caroline's mother, Paige, showing on the front page as Ellen Paige Reynolds.)

Caroline's illness started in February, with what at the time seemed like maybe a simple stomach virus.  But she has not been able to return to school ever since, as her condition fluctuated between bad and awful, never actually improving much.  Months of doctors's visits, hospital stays and tests later, a firm diagnosis has not not been established yet.  A good number of possibilities have been ruled out, but mistakes have also been made in testing and interpretation, false leads have been chased, doctors came and went, and the process is not at all complete.

Caroline’s care has been both very expensive and very time-consuming. 

The family’s medical debt to multiple providers has reached $15,000.  Caroline will remain at the hospital for the foreseeable future and will need constant home care even once she is able to leave.  So the expenses will keep rising. 

Compounding this is the nature of realtor work, which is entirely commission-based and requires being available 24/7.  Paige can no longer do it at all, and Bryan had to significantly cut back because Caroline’s needs have also been 24/7.  And in this business there is no sick day or paid parental leave.

Adding to the financial burden, the family’s current insurance company, Humana, has left Texas and is terminating all existing contracts at the end of June.  It is not only the lack of options on the private insurance market (there is only one company left, an HMO with a very bare-bones plan) that will plague them, but also the fact that on any new plan their deductibles will restart.  Finally, the big elephant in the room:  their upcoming trip to and stay in Houston to see a very well-regarded neurogastroenterologist.  Which also brings me to a couple of pieces of good news.

There has recently been some progress made toward a diagnosis.  One encouraging step was being able to finally conduct (or rather re-do a previously botched) crucial test.  A consensus seems to be forming that the initial condition which set off this long illness is likely to have been gastroparesis, a slowing of the digestive system.  Unfortunately, its symptoms (constant vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea)  then went on to take a life of their own and aggravate the initial problem with layers of additional physical and psychological damage.  The exact combination of current conditions is still in question, and a treatment plan will depend on what this diagnosis will end up being.    

A Houston specialist in childhood digestive disorders has agreed to see Caroline, thanks to Paige's persistent calls, and perhaps to the very unusual manifestations of Caroline’s condition. Dr. Chumpitazi is one of the best-known experts in this area, who generally does not see patients but is making an exception for Caroline on 5/30, if she is well enough to travel by then. 

In summary, there are some promising signs for Caroline as far as diagnosis is concerned, but the family will not be able to afford paying for her long-term health care without our extended financial support.

Thank you for reading this, and for your donation.  If you feel comfortable, please share this request for help with friends, family and co-workers.  Caroline has received amazing support not just from family, but also from anonymous donors who have never met her or her family,