VOICE SACRIFICE FOR OXYGEN – GOAL R200 000
Gerhard Deysel, 68 years old, living in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa, needs R200 000.00 medical bills and future treatment and medication that’s not covered by medical aid.
Everything started in 1978 when his vocal cord nerves were damaged during a thyroid operation when Gerhard developed breathing, swallowing and choking problems, although he was always fit and active. He adapted to his abnormal/everyday life, yet he went on with this life for 10 years.
In 1988 he suffered severe shortness of breath. He was admitted to the Zuid Afrikaans Hospital, where they discovered that the left vocal cord nerve was damaged during the thyroid operation in 1978. The doctor bonded the paralyzed vocal cord away for more oxygen, but without improvement, and then he was referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist in Pretoria.
During this time (8 Months), 16 operations were executed, and the right healthy vocal cord was removed for better airway passage. After teaching himself with the help of speech therapy how to speak without vocal cords and moving on with his abnormal/everyday life for 34 years, he only had 30% airway passage for oxygen.
In July 2022, he contracted a bacterial infection and again struggled with breathing difficulties. He was admitted to Midmed Hospital in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, for 3 weeks of treatment. He was then referred to Cintocare Hospital Pretoria, where he immediately went to the theatre for trachea placement to help for sufficient oxygen. There was a leak found between his swallow and airpipe. All fluids pass through to the lungs and cause choking and infections through the years. He taught himself over the years to bend his head forward to prevent choking. He was surprised to learn about the leak.
The Doctors at Cintocare Hospital could not do surgery to repair the leak because he first had to be treated for infections he picked up. He was treated in the High Care unit, then moved to ICU, and placed on a ventilator for two weeks. He recovered well from the infections and was discharged with the trachea on 16 September 2022.
He received a Prescription for the high-cost medication for the next 6 months or longer that he must buy himself for the amount of R4000.00 per month. (Which he can’t afford.)
After a month, he must see the doctor discuss the road ahead and for more surgeries and whether the trachea in his throat should be worn for life.
He needs support for medication and a shortfall for medical bills of R200 000.00 plus our medical aid. All account information is available on request.
Gerhard remains courageous and positive and is grateful that he gets a second chance at life to tell his story of hope and perseverance. So much good happened in the past 7 weeks that he sees it as a miracle from our Heavenly Father.
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