Mayo Tags

Hi,
I recently filed for bankruptcy and got my discharge like 2 months ago. Since my discharge I had a sezuire at work and had to be rushed to the hospital (Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. I had no health insurance at the time and recieved a $7,209 hospital bill stay from them. I'm really sad that this happened to me due to the fact I had finally got out of debt and now after spending like $1,500 on filing for BK, now I'm back in the whole...I wanted to try to buy a home in 2 years after my BK and now unless I pay this off, that will probably not happen for my daughter and I. Also, its not the only debt that I have after BK, I couldn't include my student loans in my BK, so I have like $11,000 in sallie mae loans for school. I am asking for help with my hospital bill, so it would truly be a blessing if anyone out there had extra money and could help me pay this bill, I would greatly appriciate it! I am going to start paying little monthly payments on my student loans to try to get that down little by little. If someone is seriuosly wanting to help me, we can communicate through email and I would gladly give you my medical bill info and their number, so you wouldnt feel like you were being lied to or anything, I already feel akward asking for help over the internet, but what can I do? Also I will be getting health insurance starting in June through my job, so I should never run into this issue ever again! Thanks in advance to anyone that can help!

I've decided to try and get help through donations http://www.giveforward.com/unbreakmyheart and funding http://unbreakmyheart2011.blogspot.com/from outside sources since every doctor I've seen in 2 years agree that I need the leads to my ICD (defibrillator) replaced; but shuffle me back to the original doctor and wash their hands of me.

I'm raising funds for ICD replacement surgery, to go see a HOCM specialist (Dr. Craig Asher) at Cleveland Clinic in S. Florida and to have advanced testing through Vanderbilt Autonomic Center in Tennessee.

I don't want to admit I need help; I've always been a strong, independent person who took care of everything and everyone. In August 2009, my whole world changed. After my procedure, I applied for disability and was turned down twice and had to hire an attorney. I went from being "super" mom, wife & friend and care taker of an Autistic son to being the one who had to be taken care of.

So how did I get to the point I have to ask others for help? Shortly before Father's Day 2009, I fell and broke my foot. When it didn't heal, I went to my primary with a broken foot and came out with a broken heart. After the shock wore off from the doctor telling me that I was going to die if I didn't have valve surgery; I started asking questions.

I didn't quite believe him and thought he was over reacting when he told me I was going to die because I walked and ran 3-5 times weekly and even did strenuous yard work. I felt fine and have 4 children aged 9-26 and kept up with them and stayed very active in things they did; but I was a ticking time bomb just waiting for the right time for my heart to stop.

He sent me to several specialists who said I had nothing really wrong, just some mild valve problems associated with aging; which was a huge relief. Everything seemed normal except my EKG's; they showed I had a huge amount of PVC's (premature ventricular contractions) roughly 50,000 “extra” heartbeats daily.

My heart didn't really beat fully; it only quivered like a bowl of jello day in day out. The problem with it beating like this is, the heart becomes very ineffective at pumping and your cardiac output drops and heart muscle damage can occur.

The cardiologist and electrophysiologist I saw did extensive testing and recommended more testing in the hospital. I went in for a sleep study, Tilt table test and EP Study with Ablation. The sleep study revealed I had moderately severe sleep apnea and my oxygen goes from 99% down to 73% at night making it very dangerous for me when I sleep.

The tilt table test was the first inkling that something dangerous was going on inside. I fainted and had no palpable pulse; which is a very rare thing to happen. I was diagnosed with Dysautonomia - Neurocardiogenic Syncope and Orthostatic Intolerance.
I then had an ablation to burn the extra pathways in my heart and get rid of the pvc's I was living with daily. I was told this would be a relatively easy process and given a 95% success rate to get rid of the extra beats completely but it never crossed my mind that anything would happen.

What preliminary tests failed to show, is the pattern and origin of my arrhythmias were in a very dangerous spot to ablate - the RV Apex – in the bottom thin underside of the heart.

During the EP Study, I went into cardiac arrest and my heart stopped completely with no rhythm they could shock (Asystole), some how it started again for a few minutes but then stopped again. They were able to shock me back to normal sinus rhythm and luckily, the third time it stopped; it restarted on it's own so I didn't have to be shocked again.

I was diagnosed with Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia; a very dangerous, life threatening arrhythmia. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days trying to find a cause and to be prepped for an ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator).

It took a cardiac catherization to finally find the problem and to show I had HOCM (obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) and internal high pressures in my valves.

My regular EP had to go out of town after the first procedure, so his partner had to do the implant; he wasn't as skilled as my regular dr and botched the lead implants.

When they checked the leads the next day before releasing me, they found a problem with the lead placement but the dr said it was "ok" and sent me home. Since then, I've had nothing but problems with the unit and been told by several other EP's I need to have the leads replaced and the ICD could be causing part of my problems.

Doctors think my other problems are related to HOCM (obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) and Autonomic nervous system failure and when I faint, my heart stops briefly causing damage each time this happens.

After the procedure, my body started failing from the damage it sustained the 4 times my heart stopped. My original cardiologist told me I would be in a wheel chair and totally dependent on others for everything by the time I'm 50; which is daunting because in March I'll be 45 and I can't deny the facts - my body is failing.

I was put on 10,000g sodium daily, water/fluid loading, Midodrine (insurance won't cover it $312 - 30 day supply), Propanolol, Pantoprazole, pain meds, suppression hose and binders as well as having to stay supine the majority of the day - which caused my heart failure to worsen and my EF (ejection fraction) to go down.

Nothing the doctor's have tried has helped, I still faint and my heart stops on a daily basis and I never know from one day to the next if something is going to trigger fluid build up and I have an acute attack.

In June 2011 I fainted falling into the side of my tiled tub, lacerating the side of my head in the process, severely sprained my neck and suffered a concussion. After that episode, I became a bit more cautious with every move I make because the dr found declining neurological functioning and mild brain damage; he said any more falls could lead to permanent major brain damage.

With so many previous medical bills and co-pays, I can't afford the 20% co-insurance to have my ICD replaced and Mayo Clinic wants a $5,000 deposit up front even with insurance. My ICD alone is $125,000, leads another $30,000 and then there's the doctor and hospital fees; which I won't know the cost until the procedure is done.

Each heart rhythm specialist and cardiologist I see tell me there is nothing more they can do after going over my history and treatments; I have a long hard fight to go and I have to just be thankful each day I'm alive. Some days I'm really glad I made it through, other days when the problems and pain take over; I wish the dr's had let me die.

I developed PTSD after the procedure, panic disorder and extreme agoraphobia. I went into such a deep depression over my health issues, I was afraid I would never see the lighter side of things again. I finally went to see a psychologist who prescribed Lamictal and diagnosed me with Bi-Polar disorder which has helped greatly but I still struggle on a daily basis.

One day we were just the “normal” every day family and the toughest thing we had to deal with is a child with Autism. Then; our whole lives changed in an instant we were dealing with mounting medical bills, expensive prescriptions, tests, appointments, loss of income and dealing with the possibility of death on a daily basis.

You just never know what the day may bring, so keep those you love close to you and never take one second for granted.
From the bottom of my heart thank you - even if it's support to say hey; I'm here if you need to talk or I know how you're feeling.

I've decided to try and get help through donations http://www.giveforward.com/unbreakmyheart and funding http://unbreakmyheart2011.blogspot.com/from outside sources since every doctor I've seen in 2 years agree that I need the leads to my ICD (defibrillator) replaced; but shuffle me back to the original doctor and wash their hands of me.

I'm raising funds for ICD replacement surgery, to go see a HOCM specialist (Dr. Craig Asher) at Cleveland Clinic in S. Florida and to have advanced testing through Vanderbilt Autonomic Center in Tennessee.

I don't want to admit I need help; I've always been a strong, independent person who took care of everything and everyone. In August 2009, my whole world changed. After my procedure, I applied for disability and was turned down twice and had to hire an attorney. I went from being "super" mom, wife & friend and care taker of an Autistic son to being the one who had to be taken care of.

So how did I get to the point I have to ask others for help? Shortly before Father's Day 2009, I fell and broke my foot. When it didn't heal, I went to my primary with a broken foot and came out with a broken heart. After the shock wore off from the doctor telling me that I was going to die if I didn't have valve surgery; I started asking questions.

I didn't quite believe him and thought he was over reacting when he told me I was going to die because I walked and ran 3-5 times weekly and even did strenuous yard work. I felt fine and have 4 children aged 9-26 and kept up with them and stayed very active in things they did; but I was a ticking time bomb just waiting for the right time for my heart to stop.

He sent me to several specialists who said I had nothing really wrong, just some mild valve problems associated with aging; which was a huge relief. Everything seemed normal except my EKG's; they showed I had a huge amount of PVC's (premature ventricular contractions) roughly 50,000 “extra” heartbeats daily.

My heart didn't really beat fully; it only quivered like a bowl of jello day in day out. The problem with it beating like this is, the heart becomes very ineffective at pumping and your cardiac output drops and heart muscle damage can occur.

The cardiologist and electrophysiologist I saw did extensive testing and recommended more testing in the hospital. I went in for a sleep study, Tilt table test and EP Study with Ablation. The sleep study revealed I had moderately severe sleep apnea and my oxygen goes from 99% down to 73% at night making it very dangerous for me when I sleep.

The tilt table test was the first inkling that something dangerous was going on inside. I fainted and had no palpable pulse; which is a very rare thing to happen. I was diagnosed with Dysautonomia - Neurocardiogenic Syncope and Orthostatic Intolerance.
I then had an ablation to burn the extra pathways in my heart and get rid of the pvc's I was living with daily. I was told this would be a relatively easy process and given a 95% success rate to get rid of the extra beats completely but it never crossed my mind that anything would happen.

What preliminary tests failed to show, is the pattern and origin of my arrhythmias were in a very dangerous spot to ablate - the RV Apex – in the bottom thin underside of the heart.

During the EP Study, I went into cardiac arrest and my heart stopped completely with no rhythm they could shock (Asystole), some how it started again for a few minutes but then stopped again. They were able to shock me back to normal sinus rhythm and luckily, the third time it stopped; it restarted on it's own so I didn't have to be shocked again.

I was diagnosed with Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia; a very dangerous, life threatening arrhythmia. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days trying to find a cause and to be prepped for an ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator).

It took a cardiac catherization to finally find the problem and to show I had HOCM (obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) and internal high pressures in my valves.

My regular EP had to go out of town after the first procedure, so his partner had to do the implant; he wasn't as skilled as my regular dr and botched the lead implants.

When they checked the leads the next day before releasing me, they found a problem with the lead placement but the dr said it was "ok" and sent me home. Since then, I've had nothing but problems with the unit and been told by several other EP's I need to have the leads replaced and the ICD could be causing part of my problems.

Doctors think my other problems are related to HOCM (obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) and Autonomic nervous system failure and when I faint, my heart stops briefly causing damage each time this happens.

After the procedure, my body started failing from the damage it sustained the 4 times my heart stopped. My original cardiologist told me I would be in a wheel chair and totally dependent on others for everything by the time I'm 50; which is daunting because in March I'll be 45 and I can't deny the facts - my body is failing.

I was put on 10,000g sodium daily, water/fluid loading, Midodrine (insurance won't cover it $312 - 30 day supply), Propanolol, Pantoprazole, pain meds, suppression hose and binders as well as having to stay supine the majority of the day - which caused my heart failure to worsen and my EF (ejection fraction) to go down.

Nothing the doctor's have tried has helped, I still faint and my heart stops on a daily basis and I never know from one day to the next if something is going to trigger fluid build up and I have an acute attack.

In June 2011 I fainted falling into the side of my tiled tub, lacerating the side of my head in the process, severely sprained my neck and suffered a concussion. After that episode, I became a bit more cautious with every move I make because the dr found declining neurological functioning and mild brain damage; he said any more falls could lead to permanent major brain damage.

With so many previous medical bills and co-pays, I can't afford the 20% co-insurance to have my ICD replaced and Mayo Clinic wants a $5,000 deposit up front even with insurance. My ICD alone is $125,000, leads another $30,000 and then there's the doctor and hospital fees; which I won't know the cost until the procedure is done.

Each heart rhythm specialist and cardiologist I see tell me there is nothing more they can do after going over my history and treatments; I have a long hard fight to go and I have to just be thankful each day I'm alive. Some days I'm really glad I made it through, other days when the problems and pain take over; I wish the dr's had let me die.

I developed PTSD after the procedure, panic disorder and extreme agoraphobia. I went into such a deep depression over my health issues, I was afraid I would never see the lighter side of things again. I finally went to see a psychologist who prescribed Lamictal and diagnosed me with Bi-Polar disorder which has helped greatly but I still struggle on a daily basis.

One day we were just the “normal” every day family and the toughest thing we had to deal with is a child with Autism. Then; our whole lives changed in an instant we were dealing with mounting medical bills, expensive prescriptions, tests, appointments, loss of income and dealing with the possibility of death on a daily basis.

You just never know what the day may bring, so keep those you love close to you and never take one second for granted.

From the bottom of my heart thank you - even if it's support to say hey; I'm here if you need to talk or I know how you're feeling.

On January 5, 2011, My mom was admitted through emergency for bleeding out of her rectum. At first they thought it was hemorrhoids, and further testing detailed that it was colon cancer. On 1/6/11, without much consultation or time to process my mom was in surgery to remove part of her colon. They removed about a foot of her colon, then did more testing to see where the cancer was. My mom was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, after it had metastasized to her liver. This was an unfathomable diagnosis, as no-one in my family had ever been diagnosed with cancer. They gave my mom six months to live. I could not accept that, and went on a search to help cure my mom. First we went to Mayo Clinic, where they thought they could help. My mom and I traveled there solo, much like we’ve done everything else in our life. She had a liver resection, to remove part of the liver that had majority of the tumors in it.

There I was sitting there in the waiting room, feeling very alone, while the two expert surgeons told me what they had done, and knowing it was a band-aid, hoping to have extended her life. I rejected that then, and I reject it now. I believe God for a cure, and for them to find no traces of cancer in her body, and I receive that which I’ve asked for. She is scheduled to have another round of chemo to hopefully kill what is left. The medical expenses have become unbearable.

I have done tons of research, so much so that I had to start taking sleeping pills to sleep at night. I know that there are ways to help my mom beat this disease, and I think I have found someone who can help. Unfortunately, her treatment protocol is $5900/week, for a minimum of four weeks. My mom is on disability, and I am currently collecting unemployment, as it was too difficult to travel with mom, and hold down a regular job. I have written letters to churches, charities, etc. I have to do whatever I can for my mom, she is my best friend, my brother, my sister, and the only father I’ve ever known.

Absolutely anything would help. Thank you so much, I appreciate your time.

Hi My name is Tiffany Im 31 yrs old and a single mother of 5 children I graduated from unitek college from the Pharmacy Technician Program with Dreams of furtheruing my education in Nuclear Pharmacy (chemo drugs)I was working in a kaiser pharmacy when my dreams were shattered at the young age of 24 I was diagnosed with kidney failure. My youngest child was a baby and my oldest was 6 at the time.I have had a long and painful 7 yrs on dialysis and almost 2yrs ago again I was hit with another catastrophe.I was diagnosed with a rare and deadly disease that 1 percent of dialysis patients get called calciphylaxis .This disease is so rare that some physicians aren't aware of it or even how to treat it. I've spent months in the hospital including a 2 month stay,several surgeries, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. My doctors have told me that there is an 80 percent chance of death in the first 5 years of diagnosis.I want to be the 20 percent that survives! My children need me I'm all they have.My chances of survival may increase if I can get treated at Mayo Clinic they specialize in calciphylaxis treatment and in a specefic experimental surgery. please help me to raise money for my travel and treatment to mayo clinic in arizona they are among the best for treating kidney and CUA problems! Thank you for motre info please check out tiffanysjourney.yolasite.com

Hi Im Tiffany Im a 31 yr old mom of 5 ages 7 to 13 I have been diagnosed with a deadly disease called calciphylaxis and Im trying to raise money to get treatment at mayo clinic please help!Any amount is appreciated check out my website!tiffanysjourney.yolasite.com

Hi im a single mom of 5 kids ages 7 to 13 I have been diagnosed with a rare and deadly disease. I am trying to raise money for my travel and treatment at mayo clinic .They are among the best in the country for treating Calcipyhlaxis and I feel my chances of survival will increase with treatment at one of the facilities.Please help with a donation of any size!!!Anything helps.please be a blessing in me and my childrens life I am all they have and they need me.Please check out my website for more info and if you are unable to help please send the link to someone who can thank you and god bless. tiffanysjourney.yolasite.com

Hi Im Tiffany Im 31yrs old and a single momof 5 kids ages 7 to 13.I have kidney disease and have been on dialysis and on a transplant waiting list for 7 yrs. Almost 2 yrs ago I was diagnosed with a rare and deadly disease called calciphylaxis. There is an 80 percent chance that I will die within 5 yrs!Please help me be the 20 percent to make it. I need help getting to mayo clinic for treatment they are among the best in the country for kidney and Calciphylaxis treatment.I feel my chances of survival is much greater if i can have an experimental surgery that has proven good outcome for people in my situation. Thank you .Anything Helps for more info please check this out tiffanysjourney.yolasite.com

im sorry to have to ask but im in the middle of a divorce, custody battle soon to come and to top it off i lost a leg 2 years ago to diabetes and i am a 1 year cancer survivor.
my wife is an alcholic and the reason she wants a divorce is because im disabled. she says she dont want the kids to see a loser daddy in a wheelchair. real men work and provide for their families. with the seperation i no longer can afford the payments on my pickup which had a wheelchair lift installed in the back. if my pickup was paid off i could live ok on my disability. would be tight but i could manage. i go to the mayo clinic in rochester mn about 100 miles away for doctoring, therfore the transportation is greatly needed. i owe about 15,000 on the pickup. the lift was installed by human services. can someone please help?

im sorry to have to ask but im in the middle of a divorce, custody battle soon to come and to top it off i lost a leg 2 years ago to diabetes and i am a 1 year cancer survivor.
my wife is an alcholic and the reason she wants a divorce is because im disabled. she says she dont want the kids to see a loser daddy in a wheelchair. real men work and provide for their families. with the seperation i no longer can afford the payments on my pickup which had a wheelchair lift installed in the back. if my pickup was paid off i could live ok on my disability. would be tight but i could manage. i go to the mayo clinic in rochester mn about 100 miles away for doctoring, therfore the transportation is greatly needed. i owe about 15,000 on the pickup. the lift was installed by human services. can someone please help?

Hello,
First of all I would like to say Thank You for taking the time to read my page. The decision to give a gift of a donation shows the kindness and loving heart you already. I know others have worse situations then I. When you make the choice of who you wish to donate to may you heart guide you to those in the greatest need.
Our family is in need of funds do to my medical problems. We have recently gone to the Mayo Clinic for testing but had to leave before all the testing was finished due to a lack of funds. They know it is some kind of autoimmune disorder and seizures but unable to determine the exact disease.
This has caused our family to also get behind financially. With your help it is our hope to be able to get caught back up and go back to the Mayo Clinic to continue the testing asap.
Thank you again for your considerations and any no matter how small you are able to donate

My Dad who is almost 80 years old, had a large angio sarcoma (cancer) removed from the right side of his face and head in October 2009. This was done at the Mayo Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida 300 miles from where the live and is the only hospital that can treat this kind of cancer in the area. These trips are lengthy and they have to stay in a motel at every visit. This has drained them of their savings, which wasn't much to begin with, there is no money left for further visits. As of June 23,2010, the cancer has returned. The Doctors at the Mayo Hospital want to do this surgery July 15, 2010, our family has managed to provide some money but is not enough to provide a hotel room or meals for my mother while my Dad is hospitalized. I have contacted the Cancer Society for help and was told there is a 8 to 10 month waiting list for any kind of help. I know my Dad is growing old and does not have many days left of this Earth, but I don't want him to suffer or to die from a treatable condition.
I can be reached at hmkelley1957@yahoo.com
If someone wants to make a donation through a paypal account, you can use the above listed highlighted email address to send money through paypal without any fees. Any amount will help.
Thank you
Joy

My Dad who is almost 80 years old, had a large angio sarcoma (cancer) removed from the right side of his face and head in October 2009. This was done at the Mayo Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida 300 miles from where the live and is the only hospital that can treat this kind of cancer in the area. These trips are lengthy and they have to stay in a motel at every visit. This has drained them of their savings, which wasn't much to begin with, there is no money left for further visits. As of June 23,2010, the cancer has returned. The Doctors at the Mayo Hospital want to do this surgery July 15, 2010, our family has managed to provide some money but is not enough to provide a hotel room or meals for my mother while my Dad is hospitalized. I have contacted the Cancer Society for help and was told there is a 8 to 10 month waiting list for any kind of help. I know my Dad is growing old and does not have many days left of this Earth, but I don't want him to suffer or to die from a treatable condition.
I can be reached at jwellis2009@yahoo.com
If someone wants to make a donation through a paypal account, you can use the above listed highlighted email address to send money through paypal without any fees. Any amount will help.
Thank you
Joy