Please Help Support Mike Poling

It is with heartfelt sadness that we are asking for help at a time when the world is struggling…….

And so our story begins.

On March 16, 2016 after feeling perfectly fine the night before, Mike ended up being taken by rescue squad in acute distress. He was airlifted out of the local hospital to a secondary hospital which then airlifted him to UW Madison. He was hospitalized for 6 weeks in which time he was diagnosed with Acute Idiopathic Transverse Myelitis which left him paralyzed from C4 down, (Roughly 2” above the nipple line) with skin sensation sensitivity, and extreme pain. Since that time he had been hospitalized on numerous occasions for aspiration pneumonia, so he had to have a g/i tube placed for nutrition. NPO - (which is nothing by mouth) is not something that he was prepared for at 43 years old.

He had been pretty stable until 4 weeks ago. Mike ended up being taken to the hospital by ambulance. He was in acute respiratory failure. When he arrived at the hospital the Dr. immediately told him that his best chance was to be placed on a ventilator. He was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure due to COVID, aspiration pneumonia, and RSV. He was sedated and ventilated for the first week, after that time he was gradually weaned off the ventilator. He made it for 3 days but was struggling breathing on his own. He had to have a tracheostomy put in to support breathing with a ventilator long term. He is now able to be off of the ventilator for longer periods but will need to be on it at resting periods during the day, all night, and any time he may be in distress.

At this time we are working on getting all of his needs met in order for him to be discharged to home and NOT an acute care facility but have run into a few roadblocks. His wife has been caring for him 24 hours a day for the past 6 years and will continue to do so. She is completing all of the necessary training in regards to his tracheostomy and will be training on his home ventilator on Monday with more training needed for when he is able to be discharged. There are a few items that need to be in place in order for Mike to be able to go home (including upgraded electrical) and right now they do not have the financial means to make these things happen.

I know they will appreciate any help that anyone is able to provide, even if it is only in thoughts, prayers, and best wishes for safe recovery.

We ask that anyone who can help please know that all funds will be used expressly for expenses incurred during Mike’s hospitalization and for needed items related to his long term ventilation use.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and thoughts during this difficult time.