Greetings and Thank You, to anyone who has chosen to visit this campaign and read my story. I’m grateful for you and just being able to write what follows..

The neurosurgeon team at the University of Tennessee elected not to perform surgery as it would appear that the only applicable access to the cavernoma is through the skull and brain matter. Having to travel so deeply into my brain and down to the stem causes the surgeons a severe risk of inducing a brain stem stroke. If this occurred, it could result in partial/total permanent paralysis, vegetative state, or death. Essentially, the risks outweigh the rewards.

My symptoms actually began on February 04, with a consistent tendency to sway to the right. This continued into that evening as I was attending a concert at ETSU. I originally thought I was experiencing some type of inner ear issue. I woke out my sleep at 0630 on the morning of the 5th with the urge to vomit, severe and uncontrollable vertigo. I could not get anything under control and ultimately called 911. This would be the first of four ambulance trips I would take.

The bleed is slightly positioned to the right side of the brain stem, so mostly it is my right side that is affected. At this point I am essentially having to relearn how to walk. I push myself as hard as possible to not use the walker, but not all days are effective. My right eye has hard nystagmus and does not focus in sync with the left. This leads to dizziness/vertigo and a general lack of coordination. My right arm and hand do not work in coordination with my left which leads to additional lack of coordination. I did begin my PT exercises on my right leg and eyes from the literature sent home with me upon discharge. It’s not hard, but it’s also not easy.

Most everyone is optimistic that as the blood reabsorbs into the brain matter my symptoms will improve in time. No one can calculate the rate of absorption and time frame of symptom recovery. Additionally, assuming I am able to recover from the current symptoms, if not removed/repaired, the cavernoma can bleed again at any time for any reason. This essentially renders me a “ticking time bomb”, which is not helpful to my mental state, nor promising for my ability to return to the workforce, at least at the same capacity.

With the help of my mother, we have applied for Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability, SNAP, and attempted Tenncare/Medicaid. SSI is 8% complete with review of my application. Disability has 292 days to render a decision. Tennessee elected not to expand Tenncare/Medicaid, so it would appear I have to be on the Disability (if approved) for 2 years and then I can receive Tenncare automatically. Basically, 3 years of waiting and fighting I suppose?

In the meantime, I still have the Ambetter of Tennessee plan I purchased through the ACA Marketplace which costs $106.42 after something like $468 of tax credit deduction. I have fulfilled my $8300.00 deductible and $8500.00 out-of-pocket maximum with the help of a 90% financial assistance approval from Ballad Health (Bristol Regional Medical Center). At this point, Ambetter is supposed to be paying all “medically necessary and covered” expenses.

My family and I have several charities assisting me with my mortgage, electric and water bill, and food pantries. Obviously, I cannot perform any work, so I have zero income and I’ve even been denied assistance through the ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program), which lowers your internet bill by $40/month. They said I made too much money last year. Huh? What about the inability to produce income this year? I just dunno sometimes.

I spend a large portion of my days lying in bed playing Ultimate Golf on my phone or listening to music. For some reason, it is easier to focus on the small screen of the phone vs. a television or staring out into the woods. Working on the computer is extremely difficult and leads to dizziness and nausea. I am grateful that my mother could be here to help me fill out all the applications and such. I feel so badly for those less fortunate than me that don’t have computers, scanners, printers, and don’t even know what a PDF file is. I cry every time I think about it or attempt to express it to others.

I have received a referral from my PCP, approved by Ambetter to see Dr. Rohan Chitale at Vanderbilt University in Nashville for a 2nd opinion on April 11, 2023. I am doing my best to remain optimistic, but if I am being honest, I feel like the information and assessments I have received from the inception of this illness, related to the location of the cavernoma and proximity to the base of my brain stem continue to not be favorable for safe removal/repair. I may just not be “fixable”. If this turns out to be the case, I will adapt to my new life as best I can. I just have to figure out how to survive until the Disability assistance can be approved.

If you made it to this point in my story, again, Thank You! As I move forward with this process I will place updates in the “Updates” section of the campaign. Please feel free to visit the page to read about my findings as I learn more about what can or cannot be done for me.

I don’t want anyone visiting this funding campaign to feel obligated to donate, but if you find yourself compelled and you have the financial ability, anything is appreciated and I am honored that you would care enough to choose me to contribute to! Those of you that participate in social media, please link my page out through your platforms. It will assist immensely.

Respectfully,

Steven Bolling

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Family and friends of Steven Bolling are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with his hemorrhagic stroke suffered on February 05, 2023.

Steven has chosen to fund raise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button. Help Hope Live retains only 3% (checks) or 5.65 (online) of monies raised. These monies are used to cover administrative costs only. Please share my page on your social media platforms.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!