Brian and Melody's Medical Fundraiser

We are Brian and Melody Bennett.

In November, Brian took me to ER because I had dislocated my hip. While the doctor was examining me she suggested I get a CT scan because my abdomen was extremely painful when she felt it. The CT scan showed that 95% of my stomach is above my diaphragm. This is a severe hiatal hernia. I was sent to a General Surgeon who further explained what they saw on my CT scan. There's a hole in my diaphragm that has allowed my stomach to be in my chest. I need to have my stomach put back in my abdomen and the hole repaired before this becomes an emergency situation. The surgeon also sent me to do a swallow test and discovered that there's an issue with my esophagus and he will need to repair that as well. I am incredibly miserable! I have been throwing up at least 8-10 times a month for over a year. The throwing up is part of the reason that 95% of my stomach is in my chest above my diaphragm, crowding my lungs and heart. So, I'm experiencing shortness of breath, chest pains, and swallowing issues. I have an autoimmune disease called EDS. This makes my surgery a more delicate situation with the operation and healing. My recovery time could be 4-6 weeks, hopefully less.

We moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area in July. Our monthly living expenses tripled. This was not an issue because we both were driving and we added a 3rd company.

We budgeted our finances on two incomes. I, Melody, haven't been able to work since early November.

I was scheduled to have surgery on January 21st; however, it was canceled the day before because we haven't met our health insurance deductible this year. Not many people have, being we're barely into 2025. We need nearly $1,500 for the doctor's portion of the co-pay. The hospital is willing to bill us, but that deductible is also about $1,500. The good news is once I pay those, my deductible for the year will be nearly met. Brian is going to have to take 3-4 weeks off work to take care of me due to the severity of the hernia and the repair to my diaphragm and esophagus and because of the EDS. So, we're needing help with the monthly bills for at least one month. Our expenses, not including food are around $4,000. We are trying to raise $8,000 to cover 1 months expenses, the deductibles, food and have a few hundred dollars for cushion. Anything we are given above the goal will be put into the repairs we need on our car, a new windshieldand tires.

Thank you for considering helping us; anything you can do is greatly appreciated, including prayers!!!