Help Gabe Cover Essential Medical Expenses

Help Gabe Cover Essential Medical Expenses

Standing between Gabe and a recovery from the life-threatening disease he’s been battling since this January is a mountain of extremely expensive treatments, and he is counting on us to help carry him through this difficult time.

If you know Gabe Granach, you know he is an invaluable fixture of our community. As a larger-than-life character, Gabe strides through life with the powerful grace of a man who knows who he is and gives of himself to everyone around him. Whether through his presence or his impact, if you are receiving this, Gabe has been instrumental in ensuring that your life has been more fulfilling, more inspiring, and more fun. Each of us knows that, were we ever to need him, he’d be at our side in a heartbeat. Now, Gabe needs you.

In January, Gabe returned from Costa Rica with an alarmingly high fever, excruciating pain, blinding headaches, and additional symptoms that left a full panel of doctors scrambling for the cause. After two agonizing weeks

fighting for his life, tolerating countless tests, and leaving the hospital without a diagnosis, Gabe’s condition was finally identified as Neuro-Leptospirosis: a bacterial disease, which, if not treated quickly, can be fatal. Due to the delayed diagnosis, and his body's extended elevated temperatures, this unusual and rare infection left him debilitated and riddled with lingering, treatment-resistant symptoms, including brain damage, visual dysfunction (sensitivity to light and focus desynchronization), and hyperacusis (extreme sensitivity to sound to the point of physical pain). Our Gabe is now unable to function in the world, capable of only leaving home for doctor appointments.

Gabe’s family has worked tirelessly to ensure that Gabe is afforded the best care, specialized medical teams, targeted supplements, and herbal support available. He makes frequent visits to an osteopath, chiropractor, neurologist, optometrist, acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, brain specialist, and otoneurologist in hopes of recovery. So far, their collective efforts have shown some improvements in his condition.

Gabe’s journey is a long and difficult one in which he is forced to wear sunglasses indoors and sometimes must ask for help walking due to dizziness. Only now, after four months, has begun to regain his ability to, if only briefly, read. Any attempt at mental exertion, such as simple arithmetic or problem-solving, results in immediate and excruciating headaches. It is the hyperacusis, however, causing one of his greatest difficulties. The most minute sounds cause electric shocks to wrack Gabe’s body, temporarily immobilizing him. At the end of a ‘good day’, he is exhausted. On other days he’s left feeling as though he has been gripping an electric fence all day long. Socializing with more than one person at a time is out of the question and has resulted in nearly complete isolation. A simple grocery store visit, driving his car, listening to music, cooking, and such activities are impossible; even bathing can be a challenge because the very sound of running water causes pain. It’s well-known that Gabe’s life force, mental wellness, and his very joy for life rely on the ability to move vigorously, prepare meals, make music, laugh, and share in the company of friends. This disease has robbed him of what he holds dear.

Daily hyperbaric oxygen treatments have provided some improvements in Gabe’s cognitive function and visual issues, allowing him to attempt basic activities. While his doctors strongly recommend continuing these hyperbaric sessions to maintain his progress, the insurance company has refused to approve further treatments. Each two-hour hyperbaric treatment costs $350. Gabe will need them five days a week for a minimum of four months. The additional cost of hyperacusis therapies and supportive equipment will be close to $10,000. While the doctors claim that, with uninterrupted treatment, his hearing, vision, and full cognitive ability may return to normal in twelve to eighteen months, we can only hope these therapies will support accelerated progress and better results than predicted. Even still, Gabe is fiercely determined to regain his health and get back to living his life.

After fighting for months, navigating the inefficiencies of the United States medical system, and paying for these therapies out of pocket, Gabe and his family can no longer afford to meet the expenses necessary for his recovery.

Gabe needs us so he can become whole once more. All donations go directly towards covering the ongoing costs of these vital treatments. Any contribution, be it $5 or $5,000, is helpful and deeply appreciated. If you know someone who loves Gabe, or loves someone who loves Gabe, or anyone at all willing to support our beloved brother during this difficult time, we ask you to send them this page. Hell, tell everyone you can; it’s what Gabe would do for you.

If you have any questions, please ask.

With Love and many, many thanks,

Clay, Reuben and the Granach Family