Brandi's Trip to Mayo Clinic

Hi everyone! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Brandi McAtee. I just turned 38, I'm a wife, and mother of 2 amazing kids (well, adults now, but still kids :) ). Up until a few years ago I was also a bartender, bookkeeper, and a nationally ranked figure competitor. Unfortunately, in September of 2012 I was hit pretty hard by a rare neurovascular disease called Erythromelalgia. Within 9 months of my symptoms starting I was unable to work, and now I need a wheelchair for most activities. 

It took over two and a half years and 10 different doctors to just come up with a diagnosis, but they still haven't had any luck treating this extremely painful, debilitating illness. Fortunately, there is a doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN who specializes in Erythromelalgia. My doctor here in Montana referred me to Dr. Davis last year, but I didn't have insurance at the time, nor did I have the $5,000 deposit they require without it, so my appointment was cancelled. 

In January I had been legally disabled for 2 years and 5 months which meant my Medicare benefits kicked in, so the first thing I did was call the Mayo Clinic to reschedule my appointment! It turned out there was a wait list and they didn't expect to see me until the end of the year. I was devastated!  All the while my symptoms continue to get worse.

Well, the storm clouds have cleared and the sun is shining... Mayo called today and there was a cancellation next month! I was so excited it took my breath away! I have been seriously tortured by this disease for almost 4 years, and now to think there may be someone who can help...it's just...I can't even describe how it feels. I know there's no cure, and I know Dr. Davis is not a miracle worker, but even a little relief would go so far! I know I'll never be able to run or lift weights again, and I'll probably never be able to work full time again, but I want to take my dog for a walk, be able to ride through Glacier Park on the motorcycle with my husband, walk through the farmer's market on Saturday morning and chat with people, watch a football game and get excited about it again, and I would really love to take a warm shower again (especially in the winter time)....little things that mean everything.  And I just know in my heart the Mayo Clinic is going to be able to help with that!

This is where I need your help. This trip is short notice, and having lived off disability for the past few years, we don't have any savings. I physically can't drive that far, and I'm not sure my Tahoe would make it even if I could, so I'll have to fly from Montana.  I'm scheduled for a week of tests (Aug. 8-12), so I'll have to get a motel room. And, since I'm not a Minnesota resident, they can charge 15% over Medicare approved costs, so I'm thinking my copays and out of pocket costs are going to be at least a few hundred dollars. I think $1,500 will cover all of that, I hope so anyway!

I know everyone has their own struggles, so please don't donate if you can't spare it. I really don't like asking for help. People have been trying to talk me into this for a while now, and if there were any other way, I would do it, but there's not. I just really need to get to this appointment. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story.