Support John's Recovery from PMSAH

Hello,

My name is John and on April 9th, 2024 I had a rare form of Subarachnoid Hemorrage in my brain called a Perimesencephalic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (aka PMSAH). It is a distinct pattern of non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage centered on the basal cisterns around the midbrain. And although it has an excellent prognosis, my recovery takes time and patience.

On Monday April 22 I was given a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA). This is a diagnostic procedure which uses x-rays to view the inside of the blood vessels using contrast dye injected into the blood and taking images before and after the dye is injected. All my cranial blood vessels look strong with no leaks or damage. So, they don’t know exactly what caused the PMSAH, but they are telling me there is a very low incidence of a recurrence.

Since being released from the hospital, I have been trying to relax but the progress of my condition has been highly inconsistent. Thankfully, I will not have brain damage or any major physical issues, but my day-to-day activities have been significantly impacted. Now, I am dealing with chronic and debilitating headaches (which I have never had before with the exception of a few headaches from a hangover). If I sneeze or cough, it creates such an intense pain and pressure in my head that it terrifies me to have those type of events. Additionally, I am experiencing major Tinnitus which results in everything around me (including people talking, music, TV, noises in general) sounding like they are talking on Helium. I was told my headaches and ear issues will dissipate over time as the blood that was released into my brain will slowly be absorbed back into the body and no longer irritating the tissues, but there is no telling how long that will take.

Both of these side effects are decreasing over time, but they are still persistent today. As a 52-year-old self-employed Massotherapist and Soft Tissue Specialist, my anatomy-based work requires strength and endurance in order to evaluate and assess my client's muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons for any dysfunction. My doctors have ordered me to rest, not lift heavy objects, and to severely limit any exercise. Unfortunately, as a result, my present condition will significantly impact my ability to provide for myself and maintain financial stability.

Doctors have been unclear as to when I will be able to work and exercise and get back to my day to day life. When I go in for a reevaluation, then work and exercise and medication continuation will all be decided. I am still waiting for my next evaluation to be scheduled.

I have health insurance so hopefully the only bills I will have will be copays and deductibles. I've only received one so far for the air ambulance when they airlifted me from one hospital to the next. It's $250.00 I will just have to wait and see what the other bills and my financial obligations will be.

I am reaching out because of my daily bills. They cover rent, food, utilities…etc. I live in Palm Springs and my monthly bills are “conservatively” around $3500. That includes $1400.00 in Rent, $100-$400 Electric (in summer the bills escalate because of the extreme heat here in the desert), $600 in food, about $600 in Health and car insurance, and about $500 for other various bills: gas, cell, car, internet, work expenses…etc I also have a 7-year-old German Shepherd named Jake and a 4-year old cat named Jack. They are great buddies. I also have insurance on them as well.

I did not include in the above totals my loans and credit card debt, which would add an additional $1500.00 plus to the total. This is because my spouse’s Social Security pretty much covers that.

I am married but my spouse is suffering from major memory loss and early stages of Dementia/possibly Alzheimer’s, does not work, and gets about $1300 from Social Security and VA. Thankfully all of his medical expenses are covered by the VA. He is 75 years old and a Bronze Star Recipient Vietnam Veteran.

I have tried signing up for assistance programs, but at present I have not qualified or am not eligible for many of them. I am still trying.

I am setting my goal at $10,000 which is a little less than assistance for the 3 months that I will have been unable to work. But anything would be of help at this point.

Thank you for listening.

Sincerely,

John