Make a Microloan for 6-yr old Noah's Health!

This loan is currently past-due.

First Posted On: September 9, 2009

Name: Noah

Age: 6 years old

Location: Kentucky, USA

Diagnosis: Autism

Loan Sought: $1,300

Loan Needed For: Travel costs (hotel, food, rental car) for the family to go to Thoughtful House for treatment by Dr. Krigsman. They will be there October 11-14, 2009.

Repayment Terms: 24 months ($54.17/month)

Other Notes: Noah's mom, Rachel, writes, "Noah is a very sweet, loving 6 year old boy with autism. He was diagnosed at 2 1/2. Thanks to a GFCF [gluten-free/casein-free] diet, he has made amazing strides, but his gut issues are ongoing.

Recently he has started getting a LOT worse and has been waking up SCREAMING with pain in his stomach. He has always complained with stomach pain, but not this bad. He is staring to push away food because he says it hurts when he eats. He was finally starting to have semi-formed stools, and now he hardly goes, and when he does it is diarrhea. I am at my wits end as to what to do. I have taken him to the pediatrician, and he himself stated that he will not get any help here (we tried gastro docs, and they were NO help) and that he needs a specialist. I am really afraid that if we don't do something soon, he is going to get very ill, and it could have a serious, possibly life threatening, impact on his health.

This is an REALLY urgent situation! Noah is in terrible pain a LOT of the time now. This photo (above) was taken several months ago, before he started to deteriorate. The past few weeks he has gotten MUCH worse, and it has gotten so bad that half the time now I will hear his tummy growling at the table and he will look SO hungry, but he will just push his plate away and get up from the table. He often wakes up screaming at night in pain, and he actually begs to see a doctor. It is so awful to see him suffer like that and not be able to help him. I am really afraid of what is going to happen if he does not receive treatment soon. No child should ever have to suffer like that.

I can't tell you how heart breaking it is to hear my son beg to go to a doctor, and not to be able to help him. I have tried everything to get him the funds he needs, and I just have nowhere else to turn. We haven't had a decent nights sleeps in WEEKS. I just want to get my little boy out of pain. Can you PLEASE help us? He is really suffering right now, and I know this treatment will help him."

Special Note: A local charity is paying $2,700 for Noah's appointment at Thoughtful House.

Reference Provided By: Janet P., Crystal J., and Anne G.

Noah's Community of Lenders:

Grandma Gini: $11 ["In memory of the September 11 tragedy."]
Alida: $20 ["I pray that Thoughtful House will help Noah with the best treatment he can get. May God bless your family with a safe trip!"]
Grandma Gini (again): $13 ["Happy Grandparents' Day on September 13!"]
Karen F: $5
Anonymous: $50 ["Hugs to you, Rachel and Noah"]
Petra: $50 ["Rachel, please don't loose hope. Please hang in there. We'll get the $$ together for you.."]
Sheri: $100 ["May Dr. K be a blessing to Noah, as he has been to my children."]
Kathy: $100
Jeanne: $50 ["I hope Dr. Krigsman is able to help Noah as much as he has helped Charlie. Best of luck!"]
Dominion Handmade Soap Company: $50 ["Hang in there, Noah!"]
Cyndy: $25
Bonnie (Sabrina's mom): $5 ["Best of luck with your visit Noah!!!"]
Kristina (Jordan's mom): $30 ["My heart is breaking for Noah. Hang in there it will get better."]
Jan: $200 ["Charlie's Warrior Granny hopes Noah will feel better soon, just like Charlie!"]
Lisa (Matthias' mom): $5 ["We're praying that Noah starts to feel better. We know the struggles of tummy issues. I wish I could give more. From one Lend4health Mommy to another!"]
Laureen: $10 ["On behalf of Sabrina"]
Cathleen: $50
Elizabeth: $5 ["On behalf of Sabrina"]
Grandma Gini (again): $19 ["To celebrate the Adopt-a-Beach Cleanup volunteers on September 19, 2009."]
[**]Recovering Nicholas[**]: $25 ["Noah, I hope Dr Krigsman can help heal your gut - I just know he can."]
Fung: $100 ["To Terri's Cousin, Hope this helps"]
Grandma Gini (again): $58 ["To celebrate Mike Connelly's 55th birthday on September 24, 2009."]
Grandma Gini (again): $66 ["To celebrate Tori's dad's 66th birthday on September 24, 2009."]
Grandma Gini (again): $25 ["To celebrate Kristin Clay's 25th birthday on September 28, 2009."]
MaryBeth: $5 ["In memory of Mason."]
Karen F (again): $22
Luke: $22
Paula: $5
Noel: $22
Shannon: $10
Petra (again): $22
Cindy: $120

UPDATES - UPDATES - UPDATES

September 28, 2009: Noah's loan has been funded!

September 28, 2009: Promissory note has been sent to Rachel for signature.

September 28, 2009: Thank you note from Rachel: "I just wanted to say thank you to everyone out there who stepped up to help Noah. As many of you know, finding out your child has autism, is an event that changes not only your life, but your entire family's life forever. For many, it seems hopeless. At this point in time, insurance companies are still allowed to openly discriminate against our children, and refuse to pay for treatment, despite the fact that they have been proven safe and effective. So many children like Noah are out there suffering in silence, and their parents feel helpless to do anything about it. That is where Lend4Health and people like you come in. Because of your generosity, Noah will now be able to get the treatment he so desperately needs. He doesn't know it yet, but this is going to change his life! Our trip to Thoughtful House is coming up very soon, and I will keep everyone posted and let you know how he is doing. Again, thank you SO much!"

September 29, 2009: Loan of $1,300 disbursed via cashiers check in Priority Mail. This loan is scheduled to be repaid over 24 months. The first repayment is due December 1, 2009.

October 15, 2009: Update from Rachel: "I just wanted to give everyone an update on Noah. We had his procedures done on Tuesday. Dr. Krigsman stated Noah has a "text book" case of autistic entercolitis, along with positive markers for celiac disease, and as mentioned before, antibodies for Chron's disease. It was so bad that Dr. Krigsman said that he did not even have to wait for the results of the pill cam and biopsies. He has already called in medication for Noah, and we have an appointment to discuss the rest of the test results then. The GOOD news it that he CAN be helped! I will try to get some pictures to you as soon as possible, I am not good with computers LOL! A BIG thank you to everyone who stepped up to help Noah! We could not have done it without you!"

October 17, 2009: Photos from Rachel of their Thoughtful House trip

Noah in the waiting room


Another one in the waiting room.


"This is the pill cam that Noah had to wear for 8 hours! He did really well with it though."


November 13, 2009: Update from Rachel: "I talked with Dr. Krigsman last Friday, and he says that Noah's biopsies are normal, but that the pill cam clearly shows he has disease of the small bowel. We are trying to get his meds in him, but it looks like we will have to work with a therapist to get him to learn to swallow pills and capsules. One pill absolutely CANNOT be crushed, one we are in the process of getting a pre-authorization from the insurance, and Dr. Krigsman is having me order a raspberry flavored syrup for him to take his prednisone with. His belly pain is manageable right now, but he is starting to flare up again, so I am hoping that we get his syrup really soon! I know once he starts getting his meds in him, he will start to feel a LOT better. Sorry there is nothing really good to report, but I am sure the next update will be much better!"

December 1, 2009: The 1st repayment installment has been received. The amount was $54.17 and it was received on-time.

December 14, 2009: Update from Rachel: "Just wanted to give everyone an update on Noah. Dr. Krigsman has prescribed Zantac in place of the Prilosec for now. Noah REALLY hates the taste - it even smells bad, but is actually cooperating and taking it! He has learned that if he takes it on spoon and swallows fast and takes a drink, it is not so bad! He has also made the connection that when he takes his medicine he feels better! Still not able to take the Entocort capsules or Prednisone syrup yet, but I have a therapist working with him on the capsule/pill issue, and I am hoping once I receive the Kirkman's flavored syrup and mix it with the Prednisone that he will be more receptive.

I am seeing big improvements though! He has not had to use an ice pack on his stomach in a month! That is a record for him. That poor child has being using ice packs on his stomach ever since that awful MMR [measels/mumps/rubella] shot. For the first time in almost 6 years, he is not in constant pain! I am also getting more appropriate responses. The other day I was in the living room and I called for him. He answered me back by saying, "Yes, mommy, what do you want?" Noah does usually respond when I call him (after several times) but this was on the first try, and it was very appropriate! I could have fallen off my chair!

He had to go in for a sick visit with our pediatrician's office (the one that is kicking us out for not vaccinating, this was our last visit) and his mouth was hanging open when he saw the difference in Noah! It was actually kind of funny. I did get some satisfaction showing them his post op report. I am sure they will come up with some rationalization for it not being the vaccine, but at least I got the opportunity to make them aware of it!"

December 31, 2009: The 2nd installment (due Jan. 1) has been received. The amount was $54.17, and it was received early.

February 1, 2010: The 3rd installment (due Feb. 1) has been received. The amount was $54.17, and it was received on-time.

March 2, 2010: The 4th installment (due Mar. 1) has been received. The amount was $54.18, and it was received on-time. Note: This is an overpayment of $0.01, which will be applied toward the final installment.

April 1, 2010: The 5th installment (due Apr. 1) has been received. The amount was $54.17, and it was received on-time.

June 4, 2010: The 6th installment (due May 1) has been marked past-due.

June 4, 2010: The 7th installment (due June 1) has been marked past-due.

July 27, 2010: The 8th installment (due July 1) has been marked past-due.

July 27, 2010: A partial payment of the 9th installment (due August 1) has been received. The amount received was $30. The amount remaining due for this installment is $24.17.

October 5, 2010: The 9th installment (due August 1) has been marked past-due. The balance due on this installment is $24.17.

October 5, 2010: The 10th installment (due September 1) has been marked past-due.

October 5, 2010: The 11th installment (due October 1) has been marked past-due.

October 5, 2010: Update from Rachel: "I am so sorry it has been so long since I have gotten in touch with you about my loan. I know it is not an excuse but we have had several crises going on, and things have just been a mess to put it mildly. It will be November before I can start paying on it, but I wanted to at least let you know what is going on. I will not ever be able to thank you and the wonderful people who helped Noah enough."

October 6, 2010: [**] Recovering Nicholas has forgiven her loan for Noah. This brings the 9th installment (due August 1) up-to-date and has now been marked "early" as opposed to "past-due." This means that "Recovering Nicholas" will not receive their loan back, once the full amount has been repaid.