After days in a Mexican hospital, Lafayette firefighter Lt. Jason Oliver learned he could finally come back home. It was the good news the Olivers had been waiting for.
“[Doctors] finally did some tests today… which showed there was no aneurysm and so that kind of relieved the risk of flying,” explained his wife, Maigan.
The couple was vacationing in Cancun to celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary. Just two days into their trip, Oliver was hospitalized Friday with a spontaneous brain bleed.
Over the next few days, the couple grew frustrated and worried about Jason’s condition, after they said the hospital demanded thousands of dollars in upfront costs for basic treatment, said medical professionals were slow to approve additional testing.
Friends and fellow firefighters back home in Colorado quickly mobilized. With the help of a GoFundMe account, tens of thousands of dollars were raised to help the Olivers pay the hospital bills and search for a possible flight home – either on a commercial plane or medical flight.
The efforts by friends also led to help from government officials in Colorado and the U.S. Embassy, the Olivers said. They said Tuesday’s test results were good enough that the doctor in Mexico will let Jason leave the hospital and return home for additional treatment in the U.S.
Oliver no longer has active bleeding in his brain, his wife said.
“It was the best news I think I’ve ever heard, besides maybe that I was pregnant or something,” Maigan said with a laugh. “We know that it’s not over but, well, it’s going to be ok. It’s going to be ok.”
“I’m just ready to get home, and see the doctors back in Denver,” Jason said. “Get everything fixed, just ready to be back to the states.”
The Oliver’s are booked on a flight to return to Colorado Wednesday night. Maigan said they already have doctor appointments scheduled this week to determine what caused her husband’s brain bleed, and what to do next.
The couple was stunned by the success of their friends’ fundraising efforts, and grateful for everyone who has helped.
“There [are] some amazing people out there that are willing to help in any way they can,” Maigan said. “It’s just an awesome feeling of knowing that we have that kind of support.”
The GoFundMe donations continue to pour in.
The Olivers are also receiving assistance from a local charity, Brendan’s Memorial Foundation, which helped cover costs of flights for the couple and a few family members who traveled to Mexico to help. Tuesday night, friends gathered at Echo Brewing Company for another fundraising event and trivia night. Take a look below:
