Help me cure my GERD

My name is Carsten Clancy and I was diagnosed with GERD about three years ago. As a 19 year old at the time, I was living a lifestyle that the majority of college students around me were living. Drinking, eating fast foods, and generally living a lifestyle that is not recommended for people with this condition. My symptoms started out generally quite mild, however the longer I went without making the necessary lifestyle changes, the worse my symptoms got to be. Of course, I was put on PPI medication for my condition and although at the start I got some relief, this medication seems to do nothing for me anymore. 

During March/April 2020, I started to make a few changes as we entered a quarantine here in Toronto. I reduced my intake of alcohol drastically and started cooking more with all of my spare time. I noticed a minor change in symptoms with these adjustments, but more importantly, I noticed that I really enjoyed cooking. In the months ahead, I wanted to make as many dishes as I could and learn as much as I could. Through hours of practice and continued learning, my goal was to create cooking videos and content through various social media platforms in order to entertain and teach people with no cooking experience. Unfortunately, my passion for cooking certainly did not align with my health condition. However, I have not given up on my goal. 

In August 2020, after two endoscopies, numerous different prescription medications, and many appointments with my GP and Gastroenterologist my symptoms took a turn for the worse. As a result, I was not able to eat very much and ended up losing about 15 pounds. It became clear to me that I needed to change the way I was living entirely. I consulted a dietician, allergist and anyone who could offer dietary advice. Since September, I have been eating the same highly restrictive diet everyday, have not had any alcohol, caffeine, and have not been able to live normally. Even so, I continue to experience the symptoms of GERD on a daily basis. Of course my ability to cook and create content had to be put on hold.

My symptoms are still present everyday and although they have been suppressed to an extent, the extreme lifestyle changes I’ve made certainly haven’t solved my problem. A few weeks ago, I had a check in with my Gastroenterologist. He informed me that the only way for me to solve my issue and to return to any kind of normal lifestyle in the future is to get surgery. He also informed me that since I have this condition so severe at such a young age, the recommended surgical option that would work for me is not done in Canada, but instead in the US. This option is called the LINX surgery and is a cure for GERD. This is practically the only viable option for younger patients. Moreover, the other surgical option available in Canada would take me roughly 2 years to get.

 Without this surgery, I will NEVER be able enjoy a beer, drink a coffee, eat food out at restaurants, eat/attend social gatherings, go out on dates, go on vacation, or pursue my passion for cooking. This is just a short list of all the things I would be having to give up in my life, not to mention future long term health implications that come with GERD such as esophageal cancer. 

The total cost of getting the LINX surgery in the US is $25,000CAD - this includes two way flight to Weill Cornell in NYC, initial consultation with specialist, pre-surgery testing, LINX surgery and Miscellaneous surgical expenses ex. Anesthesia. 

I am currently trying to save as much as possible and find extra money where I can. However, as a recent graduate living in Downtown Toronto, the cost is simply too high for me to finance on my own. Although this number is daunting, I firmly believe nothing is impossible. I am asking for help from the public, my friends and my family.  Any donations would mean the world to me, as they would bring me closer to living the best life I possibly can. In advance I would like to thank anyone who helps me make this possible and decides to donate. I am hoping that I can come out on the other side of this and continue to make memories with the amazing people who I am lucky to have in my life. Peace and Love.