More spinal cord surgery! Catlin needs your help

We are reaching out to our families, friends, and communities for prayers and any financial assistance regarding our nephew, Catlin Drew Blauvelt.

Catlin’s Story

Catlin has a rare spinal cord injury called Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation (ISCH). He was born with a weakness in the protective covering (the dura) over his spinal cord. A former graduate and gifted athlete from Thedford High School, he was a successful ICU nurse and led a very active life.

Catlin enjoyed exercising, playing basketball, hiking, jet skiing and other water sports, woodworking, and motorsports. Catlin and his wife Dannielle have been married for 15 years this June. They live in Greenville Texas about an hour outside of Dallas with their 2 dogs, Bear and Hank, and their 4 cats, Husker, Kiwi, Herbie and Schmidty.

He did not have symptoms until his late 20s (2015), when his spinal cord poked a hole through the weak spot of the dura, causing a spinal cord herniation and cerebral spinal fluid leak. After many tests and doctor visits, the spinal cord herniation was diagnosed in 2017. He has since had 3 major surgeries starting in 2018 to help repair the defect and manage the debilitating symptoms.

Due to the permanent damage to his spinal cord he has an incomplete spinal cord injury that causes very debilitating symptoms including constant, significant pain in his upper back along with many other neurological symptoms including chronic loss of feeling/numbness and tingling, worsening bowel and bladder symptoms, uncontrolled spasms, decreased reflexes, increased muscle loss, loss of balance and coordination, vertigo and orthostatic hypotension. 

He is currently dealing with a new cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak which causes severe spinal headaches that are worse when standing or sitting up. As well as stabbing pain behind his eyes, light and noise sensitivity, nausea, constant and overwhelming ringing in his ears and increasing loss of feeling, numbness and tingling.

He hasn’t been able to work since 2017 and as of now, most of his time is spent lying in bed due to the CSF leak symptoms and chronic neuropathic pain. Catlin is now preparing for his fourth surgery with his surgeon Dr. Scott Falci in Denver to repair a spinal fluid leak and to slow the progression of expected neurological symptoms related to the spinal cord injury and repair the new leak.

The surgeon’s fees are out of network and Catlin and his wife, Dannielle are required to pay $25,000 upfront before the surgery on March 30th.

Any prayers and/or support would be greatly appreciated! For further information on methods of contributions, see below. Thank you in advance. ❤️