Let's Get Lupe to LA!
Donation protected
Friends and family,
Many of you have followed closely and been in prayer for our family as we've been on this long journey. For those of you hearing for the first time, here is a brief recap of Lupe's story.
In August 2014, Lupe began having intense headaches and pressure in his head. The pain caused him to be sensitive to light and quick movements. Along with the effects of the pain were vomiting and the inability to sleep due to the intensity of the pain. Lupe was referred to a neurologist to do tests and evaluate his condition. They began treating him for chronic migraines but none of the treatments seemed to do the trick.
As time passed and Lupe was unable to work, he was let go from his job of 9 years. Losing his job meant losing his insurance, which would lead to an exhausting year and a half without coverage to get the treatment needed.
After Medicare and disability finally kicked in, he was able to get back to see doctors at UT Southwest in Dallas, TX. They continued doing new tests and frequent blood patches to temporarily relieve his pain. After doing a digital subtraction myelogram, it was proposed that the issue was a fistula (a miscommunication from a vein into the spinal fluid). The fistula absorbs the spinal fluid which causes low pressure headaches, as well as, other neurological issues.
Lupe was scheduled to have surgery to repair the fistula on April 15, 2019. Unfortunately, an injury from an accident prevented the lead surgeon from executing the necessary surgery on the scheduled date.
While waiting for the doctor to recover from his injury to reschedule the surgery, Lupe was contacted by Dr. Wouder Scheivink from Cedar Sinai in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Scheivink is the top surgeon and researcher in the country for CSF leaks. He has offered to do a digital subtraction myelogram and guarantees results other doctors have been unable to attain. After testing, he plans to repair the fistula, if indeed this is the issue, and repair several cysts on the sleeve nerve roots of Lupe's spine.
We are currently waiting on insurance to review the medical records and authorize this surgical procedure. When the authorization is given, Lupe and his wife Carmel will make the trip to California for testing and surgery. The schedule as given by Dr. Scheivink is as follows:
-1 day for clinic visit and consultation
-1 day for testing
-2 days in hospital for surgery and recovery
-2 additional days in LA to follow up with Dr. Scheivink post surgery
We are asking for your help as the expenses needed will be overwhelming. In addition to medical costs, Lupe will need to pay for:
-Flights to and from LA
-Hotel for the days not in hospital
-Transportation while in LA
-Meals while in LA
We believe just as God has provided the surgeon and the hospital, He will provide the finances needed to get there. Any donation helps and we ask for your prayers as well, as this will be a risky procedure and long recovery. We've been waiting 5 longs years and finally have the answers we've been searching for! Praise God for His sovereignty and provision through this season of our lives! Thanks again for your prayers and support during this time! We could not do this without you!
Many of you have followed closely and been in prayer for our family as we've been on this long journey. For those of you hearing for the first time, here is a brief recap of Lupe's story.
In August 2014, Lupe began having intense headaches and pressure in his head. The pain caused him to be sensitive to light and quick movements. Along with the effects of the pain were vomiting and the inability to sleep due to the intensity of the pain. Lupe was referred to a neurologist to do tests and evaluate his condition. They began treating him for chronic migraines but none of the treatments seemed to do the trick.
As time passed and Lupe was unable to work, he was let go from his job of 9 years. Losing his job meant losing his insurance, which would lead to an exhausting year and a half without coverage to get the treatment needed.
After Medicare and disability finally kicked in, he was able to get back to see doctors at UT Southwest in Dallas, TX. They continued doing new tests and frequent blood patches to temporarily relieve his pain. After doing a digital subtraction myelogram, it was proposed that the issue was a fistula (a miscommunication from a vein into the spinal fluid). The fistula absorbs the spinal fluid which causes low pressure headaches, as well as, other neurological issues.
Lupe was scheduled to have surgery to repair the fistula on April 15, 2019. Unfortunately, an injury from an accident prevented the lead surgeon from executing the necessary surgery on the scheduled date.
While waiting for the doctor to recover from his injury to reschedule the surgery, Lupe was contacted by Dr. Wouder Scheivink from Cedar Sinai in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Scheivink is the top surgeon and researcher in the country for CSF leaks. He has offered to do a digital subtraction myelogram and guarantees results other doctors have been unable to attain. After testing, he plans to repair the fistula, if indeed this is the issue, and repair several cysts on the sleeve nerve roots of Lupe's spine.
We are currently waiting on insurance to review the medical records and authorize this surgical procedure. When the authorization is given, Lupe and his wife Carmel will make the trip to California for testing and surgery. The schedule as given by Dr. Scheivink is as follows:
-1 day for clinic visit and consultation
-1 day for testing
-2 days in hospital for surgery and recovery
-2 additional days in LA to follow up with Dr. Scheivink post surgery
We are asking for your help as the expenses needed will be overwhelming. In addition to medical costs, Lupe will need to pay for:
-Flights to and from LA
-Hotel for the days not in hospital
-Transportation while in LA
-Meals while in LA
We believe just as God has provided the surgeon and the hospital, He will provide the finances needed to get there. Any donation helps and we ask for your prayers as well, as this will be a risky procedure and long recovery. We've been waiting 5 longs years and finally have the answers we've been searching for! Praise God for His sovereignty and provision through this season of our lives! Thanks again for your prayers and support during this time! We could not do this without you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Jeanne Pérez
Organizer
Slaton, TX
Carmel Garcia
Beneficiary