Hilgenfeld Medical Expenses
Donation protected
On April 10th Steve Hilgenfeld, a young adult cancer survivor, checked in to Bryan West to have routine gall bladder surgery. However, 8 hours later the surgery was anything but routine. As the doctor started his incision with the scope, he punctured Steve's small bowel. Unknown to anyone Steve had so much scar tissue built up in his abdomen that none of his organs were where they were supposed to be.
Emergency steps were necessary, and 4 and a half feet of small bowel had to be removed. There was so much scar tissue surgeons were never able to find Steve's gall bladder or liver. After a week in the hospital it became obvious that there was still a hole in Steve's small bowel somewhere.
6 more procedures in Lincoln trying to patch the hole were performed, but with no luck. It kept ripping out. After 23 days in the hospital in Lincoln, 14 of which were strict bed rest, Steve's doctors transferred him to UNMC in Omaha for specialists. The doctors at UNMC determined that further surgery at this time would not help. His insides needed to rest and heal.
Steve has not had any solid food since April 9th and won't have any until the hole heals itself or it shrinks enough so it can be patched. However, the plan at this time is to send Steve home. What does all this mean?
Steve will not be able to have solid food for up to 6 months. He will be fed via IV. He will have in home health come to his home 3 times a week to change his wound dressing because he is still not fully stitched closed. He will also have many follow up appointments in Omaha.
On top of this his daughter had her tonsils out and his wife Stephanie is pregnant with a baby girl due June 30th. As I write this Steve is still in the hospital. Steve's wife has been driving extensively to see him in the hospital while also trying to keep their two children on a regular schedule.
We are asking for assistance with both past and future travel expenses and any medical expenses that may not be covered by insurance. Thank You for your donations!
Emergency steps were necessary, and 4 and a half feet of small bowel had to be removed. There was so much scar tissue surgeons were never able to find Steve's gall bladder or liver. After a week in the hospital it became obvious that there was still a hole in Steve's small bowel somewhere.
6 more procedures in Lincoln trying to patch the hole were performed, but with no luck. It kept ripping out. After 23 days in the hospital in Lincoln, 14 of which were strict bed rest, Steve's doctors transferred him to UNMC in Omaha for specialists. The doctors at UNMC determined that further surgery at this time would not help. His insides needed to rest and heal.
Steve has not had any solid food since April 9th and won't have any until the hole heals itself or it shrinks enough so it can be patched. However, the plan at this time is to send Steve home. What does all this mean?
Steve will not be able to have solid food for up to 6 months. He will be fed via IV. He will have in home health come to his home 3 times a week to change his wound dressing because he is still not fully stitched closed. He will also have many follow up appointments in Omaha.
On top of this his daughter had her tonsils out and his wife Stephanie is pregnant with a baby girl due June 30th. As I write this Steve is still in the hospital. Steve's wife has been driving extensively to see him in the hospital while also trying to keep their two children on a regular schedule.
We are asking for assistance with both past and future travel expenses and any medical expenses that may not be covered by insurance. Thank You for your donations!
Organizer and beneficiary
Joy Huber
Organizer
Lincoln, NE
Steve Hilgenfeld
Beneficiary