Support Casey’s Brain Tumor Fight and Recovery

Up until now only few of our close friends and family know, my husband Kris "Casey" has been struggling with health issues that started presenting themselves in January 2024. It started as unexplainable mental and physical fatigue, numbness and tingling in the extremities, and some other "minor" symptoms that have progressed since then into systemic disorders effecting many of his organs and systems.

Over the past 13 months, he has went to 3 different clinics/hospitals as well as a chiropractor to try and get to the root cause of his symptoms. He had dozens of labs, a Spinal X-Ray and MRI, and other nervous systems tests done throughout 2024 which lead to no answers.

After coming to a wall with the first doctor he saw, and being told he seemed "fine" and his labs were "normal", he sought out second opinion through a different hospital as he knew the way he felt was not "normal". This lead to many more labs and tests and a more "outside of the box" approach than the standard blood testing his original doctor ordered.

This lead us up almost a full year later in December of 2024 where finally, a lab came back "outside the norm" and sparked a different path to investigate. He was then referred to a specialist through the UW in Madison for further exploration of these abnormal lab results. In January of this year, a round of tests through the UW were done that returned with results pointing towards a specific type of Micro-Adenoma (Brain Tumor).

Finally, in early February, the Micro-Adenoma (Brain Tumor) was confirmed through a Brain MRI with Contrast through the UW. Although terrifying and unsettling, we were told the "good news" is that this type of tumor is slow growing and usually does not spread. However if left untreated, he would continue to decline and his symptoms increase.

For all of the symptoms that have take over his body over the last year, it is shocking how something so small can completely and systemically throw your life and health out of control .

As you can imagine, this last year has been emotionally and financially draining, having so many appointments and tests performed. In 2024 our search for answers meant we met our $12,700 deductible resulting in payment plans through 3 different facilities. Now only being two months into 2025, we have already again maxed out our deductible but at least have found an answer and a way to get his health back.

At this time we are waiting for insurance to approve a medication to ease the symptoms the tumor is creating, but are being fought heavily as it would cost ~$23,000/month. We hoping and praying his provider can work with our insurance to get some form of relief approved while he waits for surgery.

Secondly, we are awaiting a Neurosurgery consultation through the UW, in which a date and plan for surgery and recovery would be established.

Additionally, we are seeking a second opinion though the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, as a surgery of this nature is not something to be taken lightly and really want him to receive the best care and outcome.

Aside from the struggle of medical costs, both current and future, he will need to take off work for surgery and recovery which presents its own financial challenges. There are so many unknowns as to the extent of the healing from this which lead us here, where we are humbling asking for any help to get us through this difficult time.

Lastly this has been a lot for our family, so I'll ask you to please refrain from bringing this up with our children as to keep them as positive as possible.

Thank you all.

-McKenzie Wallyn and Family