1 of our own needs OUR help, Give Aleisha a hand

Update: Due to unfortunate news from insurance the total needed has been raised. The Mayo Clinic is requiring a deposit PRIOR to admittance. She can really use our help right now.

Thank you all

Hey friends, strangers, and family… the time has come to help graciously one of our own. From the Craft Beer World to the BMX World Aleisha Oldham is definitely known for her smile and her bright hair. What you may not know is she is also just a pretty rad person that has unfortunately been dealt a serious medical nightmare. Below is her story in her words. Any thing you can do will be going DIRECTLY to her to help her get to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and any extra will be used to assist with the already stifling medical bills. Here is her story in her words…. THANK YOU – Jefe M.

- Hi, for those of you that don’t know me, I’m Aleisha Oldham. A single mom of an amazing 12-year-old. If you are reading this know it’s taking a lot to even ask for help as this is not who I am, I volunteer any of my additional time and I am always trying to help others fundraise when they are in need. It is in my nature to not ask for help when I need it most, however, I’m told I can’t be stubborn this time and ask for help while I am trying to figure out what exactly is wrong with me and find a treatment plan. So, thank you in advance and here is my story…

Back in January 2022, I got sick with strep throat for about a week. I had an uncontrollable high fever the entire time, it got to the point where I had horrible abdominal pain and my fever up to 104 sending me to the ER. Where my fever reached 105.6 at its highest. In the ER I had a CT and some labs, after a few hours I finally saw the doctor and was told some vague information while checking me out. They told me they found some spots on my liver that needed further evaluation, they were ordering me for an MRI which had to be done outpatient and some additional labs. I would then proceed with this MRI and seeing my GI doctor. I received the results from the MRI and CT online along with a phone call from my PCP. Stating they had found malignant lesions on my liver, along with an enlarged spleen and enlarged lymph nodes throughout my abdomen. From here more labs were ordered, along with a biopsy in February that came back inconclusive. I’ve seen 3 different specialists since, with lots of different labs done, testing for different things. They’ve tested for hepatitis, infectious diseases, and a few other things with everything coming back negative. My labs have been and continue to be all over the place, imaging still showing the same thing, along with a few new things as well. At this point I’ve had a PET scan, a couple MRI’s, CT’s, and a bunch of labs all since January.

They tried to refer me to Barnes in STL but they denied my referral due to my insurance, I have an EPO with no out of network benefits. I’ve felt drained, with no options and never knowing what’s going on with me. I have consistent abdominal pain; I have my flare ups for when days are better and worse along with some consistent symptoms/problems. The doctors are trying to refer me to anywhere that will accept me. Mayo finally calls and says they are accepting my referral, I’ve set up the appointment for August 23rd I’ll be there for about 5-7 days they say, at least.

I’ve already had to take off days, including the week off I was sick in January. I am on FMLA thankfully but pretty much all my vacation/sick time has gone to taking the days off for the biopsy, appointments, and labs. Not leaving me with very much left, for taking off another week to find out what’s going on. Not only would I be unpaid for this trip, but I will also be spending money. Mayo is in Minnesota 8 hours away, thankfully I have found a place to stay with a non-profit at no cost. However, I will still have to pay for gas and food. Along with my regular bills still being due and I wouldn’t be receiving pay for at minimum a week.

As you can see this is all just piling up and adding to the stress. In this time of need I am asking anyone that is willing to spare anything to assist with this trip and existing medical bills. I simply want answers and a path to being healthy again. To having that future with my son, my friends, my family. Thank you in advance, Aleisha.