M.V. Family Seeks Help Paying For Upcoming Surgery

A local family is seeking help from friends, neighbors and generous benefactors in the community. Scott and Carrie Beckstrand of Overton are racing against time to raise money for a costly medical procedure this summer for their daughter, Erika.

Erika, 29, has had a long, hard road. She suffers from Stage Four Endometriosis with PCOS, Fibroids and major fusion of vital organs. According to Carrie, the major organs involved are the kidneys, bladder, rectum and her one remaining ovary.

Carrie explained that the earliest symptoms of this disorder appeared when Erika was only 7 years old. But it wasn’t until the age of 13 when these symptoms started to cause real issues.

Over the years, Erika has undergone extensive treatments for her condition, Carrie said.
“It has taken over twelve years to get a definitive diagnosis,” she said. “Erika has already had two surgeries that provided no relief.”

The condition has had a huge impact on Erika’s quality of life. She currently works as a full-time technical support agent for Infowest. She is also a nationally registered Advanced EMT and is a volunteer firefighter at the Moapa Valley Fire District Overton Station #74.

But she wants to go to school to become a full time first responder. “Her goal is to become a full-time paramedic and continue to give back to the community she has grown up in,” Carrie said. “But her health issues are preventing her from doing that.”

At this point, Erika’s current doctors have become perplexed with what to do for her.
“They have said that they are no longer able to treat her due to the severity of her condition,” Carrie said. “Three doctors have recommended that she see an endometriosis specialist.”

The only problem with that is that such specialists are very rare. The Beckstrands found that there are only about a dozen of these doctors practicing in the U.S. currently. They found one such surgeon; Dr. Nicholas Fogelson, in Portland, Oregon; who was willing to take Erika on as a patient.

The surgery will likely be extensive. Erika was told that it could go anywhere from 3 to 10 hours long, depending on the extent of what the surgeon finds once he begins.

To add to the ordeal, Erika’s insurance company has not been supportive in covering this major medical procedure.
“Currently they tell us that she will be responsible for no less than $20,000 of the cost,” Carrie said. “And more than likely there will be additional expenses as well.”
“Her father and I will be helping her with the travel expenses to and from Oregon,” Carrie said. “And her employer is working with her to schedule the time off that she will need for the surgery.”

But there is still the $20,000 in medical bills that must be met for this vital surgery. The Beckstrands went ahead and scheduled the surgery for August 22, not knowing entirely how they would raise the money to pay for it.

Now the family is doing all they can to raise those funds in small donations from family, friends, neighbors and community members.

The family is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a new spa. The prize drawing will be taking place on May 2. Tickets are $5 for 1 and $20 for 5. For information on purchasing tickets, contact Carrie at 702-372-7761.

The family has also set up an online GoFundMe account at https://www.gofundme.com/f/erikas-endometriosis-surgery where donations can be made.

In addition, for those who prefer to donate directly, an account has been set up at America First Credit Union in Erika’s name. Donors can give directly to AFCU account number 9122912.
“We just hope to raise enough to help Erika pay for those upcoming medical costs and take one major stressor off her plate,” Carrie said. “If people can help, even a little, it will make a massive difference to Erika and to our family.”