Devin's Pectus Excavatum Surgery
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My name is Devin Jones and I was born with a deformity known as pectus excavatum.
What is Pectus Excavatum? Pectus excacatum is a condition in which a person's breastbone is sunken into his or her chest. In severe cases, pectus excavatum can look as if the center of the chest has been scooped out, leaving a deep dent. Also called funnel chest, pectus excavatum is more common in boys than in girls. Severe cases of pectus excavatum can eventually interfere with the function of the heart and lungs. But even mild cases of pectus excavatum can make children feel self-conscious about their appearance. If the depth of the breastbone indentation is severe, it may reduce the amount of room the lungs have to expand. This compression can also squeeze the heart, pushing it into the left side of the chest and reducing its ability to pump efficiently.
Although this deformity did not bother me physically or mentally as a child, it has become a horrible issue as an adult at age 46. I have been in extreme pain & discomfort for several months. Other issues that I have been experiencing are anxiety and depression, sleep deprivation, and loss of appetite. For those that know me, I have always been a hard worker, particulary doing all levels of landscaping, love being active with my children, and enjoy a number of activities outdoors. I am now out of a job, find it hard to participate in activities with my children, and find myself staying indoors trying to figure out how to controll my pain, physically and mentally.
After doing hours of research, connecting with different pectus excavatum awareness groups, seeing doctor after doctor, trying anything to ease the pain, and learning that my heart has shifted to the left, I discovered that surgery will correct the disformity. Unfornuately, because of the severity of the surgery, as well as my age, I have been unable to find a surgeon in Indiana that will perform the procedure. (The majority of pectus excavatum correction surgeries are performed on children or adolescents under the age of 25 because the ribs & sternum are more pliable).
However, I have found a surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona that has performed several pectus excavatum surgeries on adults with wonderful outcomes. I have been in contact with the Mayo Clinic and have been pre-qualified for the surgery, but the cost for the procedure and travel is expensive, espcially when I do not have a job. I have very limited insurance coverage, but still working on their participation in the out of state surgery.
To begin my journey of having this complex surgery, I have set a goal of $2500.00 in attempt to travel to the Mayo Clinic with my sister, Melanie (Jones) Eppink, as soon as possible. This initial goal is to cover the cost of the consultation, airline tickets, transportation to the clinic, hotel stay, and any miscellaneous expenses that we may encounter.
I believe this surgery will make a huge difference in my life both physically and mentally. My hope is that I will be able to live the rest of my life free from pain, able to work effeciently, and become the fun-loving Devin that I used to be.
Thank you and best regards,
Devin Jones
What is Pectus Excavatum? Pectus excacatum is a condition in which a person's breastbone is sunken into his or her chest. In severe cases, pectus excavatum can look as if the center of the chest has been scooped out, leaving a deep dent. Also called funnel chest, pectus excavatum is more common in boys than in girls. Severe cases of pectus excavatum can eventually interfere with the function of the heart and lungs. But even mild cases of pectus excavatum can make children feel self-conscious about their appearance. If the depth of the breastbone indentation is severe, it may reduce the amount of room the lungs have to expand. This compression can also squeeze the heart, pushing it into the left side of the chest and reducing its ability to pump efficiently.
Although this deformity did not bother me physically or mentally as a child, it has become a horrible issue as an adult at age 46. I have been in extreme pain & discomfort for several months. Other issues that I have been experiencing are anxiety and depression, sleep deprivation, and loss of appetite. For those that know me, I have always been a hard worker, particulary doing all levels of landscaping, love being active with my children, and enjoy a number of activities outdoors. I am now out of a job, find it hard to participate in activities with my children, and find myself staying indoors trying to figure out how to controll my pain, physically and mentally.After doing hours of research, connecting with different pectus excavatum awareness groups, seeing doctor after doctor, trying anything to ease the pain, and learning that my heart has shifted to the left, I discovered that surgery will correct the disformity. Unfornuately, because of the severity of the surgery, as well as my age, I have been unable to find a surgeon in Indiana that will perform the procedure. (The majority of pectus excavatum correction surgeries are performed on children or adolescents under the age of 25 because the ribs & sternum are more pliable).
However, I have found a surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona that has performed several pectus excavatum surgeries on adults with wonderful outcomes. I have been in contact with the Mayo Clinic and have been pre-qualified for the surgery, but the cost for the procedure and travel is expensive, espcially when I do not have a job. I have very limited insurance coverage, but still working on their participation in the out of state surgery.
To begin my journey of having this complex surgery, I have set a goal of $2500.00 in attempt to travel to the Mayo Clinic with my sister, Melanie (Jones) Eppink, as soon as possible. This initial goal is to cover the cost of the consultation, airline tickets, transportation to the clinic, hotel stay, and any miscellaneous expenses that we may encounter.
I believe this surgery will make a huge difference in my life both physically and mentally. My hope is that I will be able to live the rest of my life free from pain, able to work effeciently, and become the fun-loving Devin that I used to be.
Thank you and best regards,
Devin Jones
Organizer
Devin Jones
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN