Help Luke Eat again

Luke McMillan, my 18-month-old grandson, swallowed a lithium button battery and had it stuck in his throat for 5 weeks. Yes, you read that right. Once you swallow a battery, you have an average of 2 hours before the battery burns through your esophagus causing lasting damage and possible death. Lukey survived, but his esophagus was severely damaged, making it nearly impossible for him to eat. He’s had to go through 6 esophageal surgeries the past 6 months to try and fix it. They were unsuccessful. The options in his home state of Arizona are limited, and his window for getting it fixed is closing fast. Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT has a procedure that can hopefully mend his damaged esophagus, but his insurance won’t cover the cost. If this surgery doesn’t work, they will need to do a surgical resection (cut and reconnect the esophagus). We are praying it doesn’t come to that.

Luke’s story…

Lukey is the 5th child with 4 older brothers. His older brothers love him dearly - sometimes too much, smothering him with hugs and kisses daily. In a house full of boys, he brings a calmness and sweetness that fills a room. Luke learned to walk in one day, loves Mickey Mouse, and has always enjoyed eating at the table with the family.

8 months ago, Lukey began having issues eating, throwing up any solid food he ate. At this point he was only 10 months old and a little chunk, so eating and eating a lot were definitely his forte. My daughter and her husband took him in to the doctor to get checked out, and on the 3rd visit, 5 weeks later, the doctors finally discovered a battery lodged in his throat. They immediately rushed Luke into emergency surgery.

The surgeon successfully removed the battery, and it turns out it was miraculously wrapped in electrical tape, which ultimately saved his life. Even though the initial surgery was successful, it left him with an esophageal stricture that prevents him from eating solid foods. We didn’t know what that meant either. Basically, it’s like his esophagus has a small band wrapped around the middle of it, preventing food from passing through.

Luke’s parents have such a hard time asking for help, but the surgery Luke requires is costly and they’re willing to do anything to help Lukey have a normal life. His dad, KC, works as an elementary school orchestra teacher, trying to help change kids’ lives through music, while also working on his graduate degree at Arizona State University. Luke’s mom, Erica, is working on her bachelor’s degree at Western Governors University and also works part-time from home to try and make ends meet. They both work very hard on a limited income.

How can you help? The surgeries that Luke needs will be performed in Utah which will put an added financial burden on his family, who resides in Arizona. Their insurance does not cover the surgeries, so they need to be paid completely out-of-pocket. Join us in helping Luke's family know how much we love them by helping ease that burden. Every dollar helps.

Together our donations will help Luke get the surgery he needs to swallow again.

Even if you are unable to donate at this time, please share this campaign (you can copy and paste this link: Luke's Go Fund Me with your friends and community, through Facebook or email, it really does help tremendously!

I will continue to update this page with his progress.

-Kim