Mike and Sarah Abbott's Medical Expenses
Donation protected
Sometimes life is just humming along and a moment in time just completely shakes you to your core. My name is Jennifer, and this is the story of my sister Sarah, her husband Mike, and their two young kids.
On January 27 at about 8pm, I get a text from Sarah saying “Mike had a seizure and Adam is here.” What?? She had just gotten home from the kids’ soccer practice and was getting ready to make dinner. She heard a loud thud and then Liam (my nephew) starts yelling “call 911, Dad fell and he’s bleeding!” She runs into Mike’s office and finds him on the ground, still seizing, with blood everywhere from where he hit his head. By the grace of God, my husband Adam, who is a firefighter, was on shift that night. When he heard the call go out at their address and then identifying the patient as a “41 year old male,” he knew it was Mike. When his crew got to the house, he was the first one in the door and Liam immediately recognized him (even with his mask on) and says “Hi, Uncle Adam.” At that moment, his crew knew this call involved family.
Over the next 24 hours, Mike was diagnosed with a glioma brain tumor, which had caused the seizure. The doctors were grim with their diagnosis and basically implied that Mike needed to enjoy life, because this type of tumor was really bad news. Because of Covid, Sarah wasn’t able to be with him as they ran several tests and delivered the diagnosis. Sarah was devastated. Mike was devastated. The kids were so scared. They were there to witness him seizing, the firefighters in the house, mom and aunts crying off and on over the weekend…I know they were so confused and sad.
When Mike came home, the first weekend was filled with so many tears, worry, and devastation. Family was in and out of the house, really just trying to come to terms with Mike’s horrible prognosis. A very healthy 41 year old guy, with a beautiful family, had his life completely turned upside down.
The next week came more promising news. After three more consults, the consensus was that while this was a bad diagnosis, the doctors believed that surgery could remove the entire tumor without damaging his brain. So, this is where they are currently. Surgery is scheduled for February 26, which just happens to be Sarah’s birthday. We are so hopeful that her birthday present consists of a successful surgery, leaving Mike the same person he is today!
They have just started receiving medical bills from his first hospital stay and while they have insurance, they have a high deductible and out of pocket maximum before insurance really kicks in. It hurts my heart to hear how worried Sarah is about the financial portion of this whole ordeal. A time when she needs to be focused on Mike and helping her kids deal with what is going on, is clouded by the scary fact that the bills are going to quickly add up.
I know she was resistant to start this fund but I told her that people want to help. I personally prefer to donate to people in my community that I know need help, rather than big organizations. If you feel compelled to donate and/or share this fundraiser, our whole family would greatly appreciate it. And if you can’t donate, absolutely no worries! Please just pray for Mike’s complete healing and keep Sarah and the kids in your heart.
Thank you!
Jennifer
On January 27 at about 8pm, I get a text from Sarah saying “Mike had a seizure and Adam is here.” What?? She had just gotten home from the kids’ soccer practice and was getting ready to make dinner. She heard a loud thud and then Liam (my nephew) starts yelling “call 911, Dad fell and he’s bleeding!” She runs into Mike’s office and finds him on the ground, still seizing, with blood everywhere from where he hit his head. By the grace of God, my husband Adam, who is a firefighter, was on shift that night. When he heard the call go out at their address and then identifying the patient as a “41 year old male,” he knew it was Mike. When his crew got to the house, he was the first one in the door and Liam immediately recognized him (even with his mask on) and says “Hi, Uncle Adam.” At that moment, his crew knew this call involved family.
Over the next 24 hours, Mike was diagnosed with a glioma brain tumor, which had caused the seizure. The doctors were grim with their diagnosis and basically implied that Mike needed to enjoy life, because this type of tumor was really bad news. Because of Covid, Sarah wasn’t able to be with him as they ran several tests and delivered the diagnosis. Sarah was devastated. Mike was devastated. The kids were so scared. They were there to witness him seizing, the firefighters in the house, mom and aunts crying off and on over the weekend…I know they were so confused and sad.
When Mike came home, the first weekend was filled with so many tears, worry, and devastation. Family was in and out of the house, really just trying to come to terms with Mike’s horrible prognosis. A very healthy 41 year old guy, with a beautiful family, had his life completely turned upside down.
The next week came more promising news. After three more consults, the consensus was that while this was a bad diagnosis, the doctors believed that surgery could remove the entire tumor without damaging his brain. So, this is where they are currently. Surgery is scheduled for February 26, which just happens to be Sarah’s birthday. We are so hopeful that her birthday present consists of a successful surgery, leaving Mike the same person he is today!
They have just started receiving medical bills from his first hospital stay and while they have insurance, they have a high deductible and out of pocket maximum before insurance really kicks in. It hurts my heart to hear how worried Sarah is about the financial portion of this whole ordeal. A time when she needs to be focused on Mike and helping her kids deal with what is going on, is clouded by the scary fact that the bills are going to quickly add up.
I know she was resistant to start this fund but I told her that people want to help. I personally prefer to donate to people in my community that I know need help, rather than big organizations. If you feel compelled to donate and/or share this fundraiser, our whole family would greatly appreciate it. And if you can’t donate, absolutely no worries! Please just pray for Mike’s complete healing and keep Sarah and the kids in your heart.
Thank you!
Jennifer
Organizer and beneficiary
JENNIFER VIMMERSTEDT
Organizer
Tucson, AZ
Sarah Abbott
Beneficiary