gerards medical costs
Donation protected
Gerard is an adorable and bright eight-year-old boy who desperately needs help. Gerard quite suddenly, became very sick last July. Up until July of 2015, he was a healthy, happy, active, thriving child, who loved to play with his friends, swim, dance and play soccer. Gerard has a cute sense of humor and loves being around children and adults of all ages. His favorite color is green (he said to say that).
What began as an ear infection did not resolve after antibiotics in June of 2015, and from that point, he went on to develop additional symptoms (spiking fevers, rashes of unexplained sources that doctors could not identify, but treated with more antibiotics, chronic sinus infections and ear infections, aches and pains, vomiting, acute colitis, then ulcerative colitis, malabsorption, lethargy, non-typical Crohn’s, and failure to thrive). He lost over 30% of his body weight in 3 months. Rebecca says that when Gerard came home from school the first week of second grade, all he wanted to do was sleep. He had severe fatigue and lethargy. He didn’t want to play with friends and he couldn’t run half of the soccer field. He started smiling less. He started crying more. He had trouble with his short-term memory. He had to take a lot of breaks during gym class. This was not our typical Gerard anymore!
After getting various conflicting reports from different specialists throughout fall and winter, and after three failed colonoscopies that nearly resulted in Gerards death at the end of December, it was decided that he should be placed on chemotherapy to help him to gain weight and ease inflammation symptoms. Since March, chemo has helped to ease some of the symptoms, has created new symptoms, but it is not a sustainable treatment. Nor is it something that Gerard tolerates very well. Often, he is unable to walk after treatment. Often, he passes out. You can imagine how painful and debilitating this is for Gerard as well as the kind of stress this has placed on Rebecca and Mike who have had to sit and watch their precious child become more and more ill.
Gerard needs to go where all of his symptoms can be addressed by a team of experts. The family has researched all of the medical facility options in the country, have interviewed dozens of families and physicians, spoken with hospital directors and alternative therapies and they know that the Mayo Clinic is the best place for Gerard to be evaluated. Gerard’s pediatrician agrees. It has taken Rebecca this long to have her doctor write the referral letter that they need to get into Mayo, and now they have a date. June 6, 2016 they will be able to have Gerard evaluated.
Rebecca and Mike need our help. These months (almost a year) of severe illness has meant that Rebecca has had to stop working to become a full-time caregiver. Thanks to her former careers, she had retirement savings that she could use for several months to help out. Unfortunately those funds are now depleted. She spends much of her time on the phone with doctors, drug companies and insurance company nurses coordinating what can work for them. Insurance is not covering a great deal of their expenses. When asked about standard treatments, often the answer is, “You will have to cover that on your own. We won’t cover that.” There are so many other expenses that insurance does not cover.
The Mayo Clinic is somewhat affordable compared to most hospitals. They are “the kings” of the healthcare system as far as research. Just to make the appointment, it costs $5,000 cash. Take into consideration accommodations, food, airfare, medicine, therapies, etc. At this time they do not know how long they will need to be there. Our goal is to raise $17,000 to help them with whatever they need so they do not have to worry about finances should Gerard need surgery.
Many of you know that Michael and Rebecca are educators and researchers. Michael retired from the USAF Reserves in October with many awards and honors. He has proudly served our country since 1988. Rebecca worked in many careers as she supported Michael’s. She has been a diligent community volunteer and activist for causes related to children’s welfare, the environment, philanthropy and compassionate care for the frail and elderly. Many of you have had Rebecca’s delicious food. She had to close her catering business to care for Gerard. Whenever someone needs something, Rebecca is the first to reach out. Now its our turn to reach out and help this amazing family. Let’s help them now by helping to get Gerard better!
Rebecca has committed to write about her experiences, start a support group in Northern Utah, and to be a patient advocate for whatever it is that they discover after this puzzle has been solved.
What began as an ear infection did not resolve after antibiotics in June of 2015, and from that point, he went on to develop additional symptoms (spiking fevers, rashes of unexplained sources that doctors could not identify, but treated with more antibiotics, chronic sinus infections and ear infections, aches and pains, vomiting, acute colitis, then ulcerative colitis, malabsorption, lethargy, non-typical Crohn’s, and failure to thrive). He lost over 30% of his body weight in 3 months. Rebecca says that when Gerard came home from school the first week of second grade, all he wanted to do was sleep. He had severe fatigue and lethargy. He didn’t want to play with friends and he couldn’t run half of the soccer field. He started smiling less. He started crying more. He had trouble with his short-term memory. He had to take a lot of breaks during gym class. This was not our typical Gerard anymore!
After getting various conflicting reports from different specialists throughout fall and winter, and after three failed colonoscopies that nearly resulted in Gerards death at the end of December, it was decided that he should be placed on chemotherapy to help him to gain weight and ease inflammation symptoms. Since March, chemo has helped to ease some of the symptoms, has created new symptoms, but it is not a sustainable treatment. Nor is it something that Gerard tolerates very well. Often, he is unable to walk after treatment. Often, he passes out. You can imagine how painful and debilitating this is for Gerard as well as the kind of stress this has placed on Rebecca and Mike who have had to sit and watch their precious child become more and more ill.
Gerard needs to go where all of his symptoms can be addressed by a team of experts. The family has researched all of the medical facility options in the country, have interviewed dozens of families and physicians, spoken with hospital directors and alternative therapies and they know that the Mayo Clinic is the best place for Gerard to be evaluated. Gerard’s pediatrician agrees. It has taken Rebecca this long to have her doctor write the referral letter that they need to get into Mayo, and now they have a date. June 6, 2016 they will be able to have Gerard evaluated.
Rebecca and Mike need our help. These months (almost a year) of severe illness has meant that Rebecca has had to stop working to become a full-time caregiver. Thanks to her former careers, she had retirement savings that she could use for several months to help out. Unfortunately those funds are now depleted. She spends much of her time on the phone with doctors, drug companies and insurance company nurses coordinating what can work for them. Insurance is not covering a great deal of their expenses. When asked about standard treatments, often the answer is, “You will have to cover that on your own. We won’t cover that.” There are so many other expenses that insurance does not cover.
The Mayo Clinic is somewhat affordable compared to most hospitals. They are “the kings” of the healthcare system as far as research. Just to make the appointment, it costs $5,000 cash. Take into consideration accommodations, food, airfare, medicine, therapies, etc. At this time they do not know how long they will need to be there. Our goal is to raise $17,000 to help them with whatever they need so they do not have to worry about finances should Gerard need surgery.
Many of you know that Michael and Rebecca are educators and researchers. Michael retired from the USAF Reserves in October with many awards and honors. He has proudly served our country since 1988. Rebecca worked in many careers as she supported Michael’s. She has been a diligent community volunteer and activist for causes related to children’s welfare, the environment, philanthropy and compassionate care for the frail and elderly. Many of you have had Rebecca’s delicious food. She had to close her catering business to care for Gerard. Whenever someone needs something, Rebecca is the first to reach out. Now its our turn to reach out and help this amazing family. Let’s help them now by helping to get Gerard better!
Rebecca has committed to write about her experiences, start a support group in Northern Utah, and to be a patient advocate for whatever it is that they discover after this puzzle has been solved.
Organizer and beneficiary
Misty L Eriksen
Organizer
Ogden, UT
Rebecca Ory-Hernandez
Beneficiary