Call with Dr. Harch!
In support of
Mack Hofacker
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Mack Hofacker
today I spoke with Dr. Harch at Harch Hyperbarics.
He is confident in his ability to improve Mack’s quality of life with HBOT at his clinic. Here's why:
- because brain injuries are very responsive to HBOT and Mack is believed to have injury to his brainstem and frontal lobe. Dr. Harchs interpretation of Mack's MRI from 11/2024 is that the white matter loss observed in his frontal lobe and dilated ventricles are due to injury rather than genetic brain abnormalities. While some of his brain abnormalities are absolutely from genetics, he believes these areas are not. He also believes his sudden breathing and eating regression was in fact caused by the first seizure med we started Mack on in November of 2024 because his first desaturation episode happened only hours after the first dose. This is the song I've been singing since that very day!!! He agrees that the untreated seizures have an effect on his brain in a damaging way at this point, but it would not have taken effect on his eating/breathing that soon in his opinion.
- because he has seen great success with genetic conditions in his practice while using HBOT. This therapy has the ability to turn off pro inflammatory genes and turn on anti-inflammatory genes which could only HELP Mack.
I asked him this question that we have been asked a couple times: “why are you going all the way to Louisiana for hyperbaric oxygen therapy when we have local clinics with chambers here?”
His answer: “when you have a child with seizures or any child for that matter, you want a medical doctor in charge of the dosing of oxygen and pressure. We use individualized dosing based on your child’s tolerance. My past experiences as a medical doctor who has pioneered HBOT treatment for chronic diseases is not available at other clinics.” Here is a clip explaining what makes Harch Hyperbarics stand alone in the HBOT world. Oxygen, just like anything in the world, can be toxic at a certain point. We want Mack in good hands. https://youtu.be/7Qak1kKyCg4?is=deF3EF09lX4js52y
Speaking to him, I can tell he took his time reviewing the load of medical records I had mailed to him. It is a very rare occurrence to speak to someone that has a well-rounded idea of Macks medical picture. I didn't have to correct or give clarity at any point. Dr. Harch has created a standard of care in the HBOT community that I will not deprive Mack of. Once we complete treatment (8 weeks in New Orleans) we will then be part of his maintenance program, meaning he will direct care for Mack while we are at home. We will eventually get our own chamber and follow guidelines given to us by Dr. Harch and have follow up calls with him when we start a dive cycle. This is where $25,000 will get us! Sustainability.
This was the call I’ve been waiting for. Dr. Harch is confident and holds the same opinions about how seizure meds have impacted/ injured Mack’s brain along the way. It is so important to have a doctor who validates what I’m seeing. A place made for children like Mack! I felt this as we pursued the neurology intensive in Texas with Dr. Lucas.
Dr. Harch is happy to hear we have done the functional neurology part, and happy to hear we continue that care at home. He agrees that HBOT is the right addition to those therapies. Being a part of this 8 week treatment will allow us to gain independence and treat Mack at home afterwards which is the most sustainable way to try and improve and prolong Mack’s life. This is why we’re seeking donations. Please keep sharing, keep talking, keep praying for this to become possible!
Dr. Harch is happy to hear we have done the functional neurology part, and happy to hear we continue that care at home. He agrees that HBOT is the right addition to those therapies. Being a part of this 8 week treatment will allow us to gain independence and treat Mack at home afterwards which is the most sustainable way to try and improve and prolong Mack’s life. This is why we’re seeking donations. Please keep sharing, keep talking, keep praying for this to become possible!
Our goal is April of 2027. We have under 9 months to save/raise the money, book the place to stay and schedule treatment.
I am also in the hiring process at a chiropractic office! I am being hired as a chiropractic assistant to Dr. Julie Emmert and plan to learn everything I can while I'm there. Getting a job right now is scary but we really need the extra money for things like this. Drowning in credit card debt to pay for these therapies would destroy so much peace that Blake and I have fought for. We paid off all of our credit cards a couple months before Mack was born, before ever knowing about his medical issues. Maintaining financial stability has to be on the list of priorities. It is also very scary to depend so much on the generosity and financial capability of others.
Here is Dr. Harch's website, if youd like to learn more about this treatment. Home | Harch Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Thank you for being here! Any time spent reading this is appreciated. Please keep sharing our story!
I am also in the hiring process at a chiropractic office! I am being hired as a chiropractic assistant to Dr. Julie Emmert and plan to learn everything I can while I'm there. Getting a job right now is scary but we really need the extra money for things like this. Drowning in credit card debt to pay for these therapies would destroy so much peace that Blake and I have fought for. We paid off all of our credit cards a couple months before Mack was born, before ever knowing about his medical issues. Maintaining financial stability has to be on the list of priorities. It is also very scary to depend so much on the generosity and financial capability of others.
Here is Dr. Harch's website, if youd like to learn more about this treatment. Home | Harch Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Thank you for being here! Any time spent reading this is appreciated. Please keep sharing our story!
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