For seven years, April Douglas has been in a cocoon of such excruciating pain that it has been more like a living torture than life itself.

Her nightmare of perpetual agony not only cost the 47-year-old wife of Boundary County's prosecuting attorney a career as a surgical nurse; it has forced her to live with paralysis of her right foot, severe spinal damage, arthritis in both hips and demineralization of her bones.

Last year, she had her thyroid removed, and she now has a port inserted in her chest. Continually weak, she is unable to support her own weight without crutches.

Ravaged in part by a rare auto-immune disorder that has forced her to have more than 25 surgeries, hundreds of hospitalizations and several near-death episodes, Douglas may have found a figurative "angel" that will help put an end to a life of pain.

"Doctors kept saying this was all in my head and they didn't know what to do with me anymore," said Douglas. "I have missed out so much on life."

But thanks to the combined efforts of Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the founder of Angel MedFlight, Douglas now has a chance to gain back what has been taken from her.

Diagnosed with Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, the insurance company is sending Douglas to the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Aug. 26 for several spinal surgeries and rehabilitation. Costs for the operations, lab tests and other procedures will run several hundred thousand dollars.

After evaluating her deteriorating condition, Blue Cross called her.

"They said you're not going to Seattle or Boise for any more treatment," she said. "We want to send you to the best medical facility in the country, the Mayo Clinic, to get the quality of your life back"

But coming up with nearly $2,000 for the Douglas' to fly to Minnesota was a financial hardship.

Enter Jeremy Freer, CEO/Founder of Angel MedFlight, who was moved by Douglas' ordeal.

"I will help you in any way I can," he told her. "I will not abandon you."

Freer will fly his Leer jet from Arizona to the Boundary County Airport Aug. 26 and then fly the couple to Rochester, Minn., where an ambulance will transport them to the Mayo Clinic. The price tag for the flight runs around $70,000.

"It feels as though my prayers are finally being answered," said Douglas.

Still, she needs to come up with about $1,500 for a 10-day hotel stay while the clinic develops a treatment plan. The Douglas' are hoping the Boundary County community can pitch in to provide financial assistance.

For April Douglas, the thought of living a pain-free life is overwhelming.

"Multiply whatever back and sciatic nerve pain you've had times 1,000 while receiving electrical shocks up and down your legs all the time," she said. "That's what this has been like. To live a normal life again is like a fairy tale come true."

Donations can be sent to April Douglas, P.O. Box 3136, Bonners Ferry, ID 83864.

In regards to my comment made on 8/7/08, it was not my intent to be negative towards April. I was simply motivated to try and find a cost effective way to get her and her husband to the Mayo Clinic with a Hotel room, so the money from Mr. Freed could help with the cost of the surgery. My deepest sympathy's go out to her and her family during this time in her life. The article did not state she had to lie flat to be transported. I know this disease is real: it was not my intent to minimize her pain. I also wanted to state that my work e-mail that I used to make this comment was incorrect to use; I should have used my personal e-mail account. The Hospital should not have been tied to my personal opinion and I have made administration aware of my misuse of the Hospital e-mail account.

I agree with Dan, Ray, and Betsy Miller regarding Tina Lewis's email. Lewis must not have read the entire story AND she should be concentrating on her job and not using the hospital computer to express her personal opinion. (I bet the hospital has a policy indicating the use of hospital computers for personal use).

April has gone through more than I could ever endure myself. I know intimately what she has suffered, endured, tolerated, and persevered. I am her identical twin sister. April's tolerance and endurance regarding her medical challenges makes me tired just thinking about what she has been through and I am not sure how well I would have endured the type of pain she has experienced over the last few years! Watching her suffer and be "caught" in the medical cycle of just barely taking care of all her medical issues, makes my head spin! I am so proud of April for taking her innate tenacity to strive to live a better life and find treatment for her condition that she has not been able to get in this area. Living in our rural area does not offer the specialized treatment and care that April needs. Way to go sis for going beyond what anyone else would or could do for you to strive for treatment for yourself. All applause goes to you for the research you conducted and the contacts you made. I am glad that you never stopped asking questions about what treatment could be provided to you to seek long term specialized care. I will pray that the Mayo Clinic provides the treatment and care you need for quality of life! You deserve it! Way to go Angel Flight for your generosity! Way to go community of friends that really care and know what April has been through! For those of you who don't know....and want to express your opinions anyway....remember....niceness matters!

April cannot take a commercial airliner Tina. She is physically not capable of being transported in that fashion. Her best hope is the miracle that is coming together since the insurance company made the decision to send her to the Mayo Clinic and Angel Medflight providing a jet with medical team and equipment. I cannot think of anyone more deserving for this last chance at a normal life. She is a selfless individual that reaches out to and for others despite her painful existence. Her only fortune in this world is her family and friends. I hope all of you will consider a donation of any size, words of encouragement, and prayer.

Dan Young
DYoung6962@aol.com

April Douglas has been living a life that many of us would have ended rather than trying to cope with the endless pain. April has contributed so much to others through her research on their behalf, her volunteer efforts, and her positive mental attitude. April has a loving husband who always puts her every need above his own. There is a wonderful love story behind this couple. They need a little help to take advantage of the opportunity that lies ahead and if there was ever a person worthy of our support - it is April. Bill and I will do what we can to help out and we encourage everyone to do what they can to be a part of this wonderful story.

Anna and Bill Protsman
aprotsman@live.com

My entire career has been in the medical field. I have witnessed countless stories of families struggling against pain and suffering. April has always amazed and inspired me with her ability to soldier on when every day is an battle with pain that she cannot win. Now I'm thinking the biggest miracle in her life is that an insurance company is actually going to stop sending her to Boise and Seattle where nothing they do provides a solution and get her to the Mayo Clinic. April and Jack are not rich people. They need whatever help and support any of us can give. Anyone who knows these two people can tell you that this trip to the Mayo Clinic is not about changing April's life; it's about giving her a life. Please be supportive.

Christine Bottenfield
cbottenfield@hotmail.com

God Bless the personal interest that the owners of Angel Medflight have taken in April Douglas. She needs to go to the Mayo in this specially designed aircraft with it's trained medical personnel. April would never be allowed to complete a commercial flight and certainly could not handle any plane changes. I will never understand why there is always someone so insensitive out there in the community that suggests April does not require special transportation. I think Tina Lewis should write her negative comments on her own time and computer and not use her Boundary County Community Hospital email. April has handled her pain, disappointing treatments, incorrect diagnosis's, and complicated insurance procedures with intelligence, perseverance, and grace. We are behind you April and Jack and pray that you will find freedom from the medical problems so that you can enjoy your lives together among your family, friends, and community.

Betsy and Ray Miller
betsy_140@yahoo.com

On the 4th of July a year ago, as fireworks were exploding over the Fair grounds, I spent the evening at the Boundary Community Hospital with April, one of numerous times she has been there, so her husband could take part in a charitable fund raiser to which he had made a commitment. She was immobilized by her pain. I have also been to her home to visit and have seen her in a similar condition. When I first met April, she was a vibrant young woman-full of life and energy. She talked about how she loved her children and she also loved her nursing career. She was very active as a volunteer and just did nice things for a lot of people, on top of her busy life with her children and career. It has been debilitating to her to go through the numerous surgeries, each time hoping that she could just get a piece of the life she used to have back. Yet she's never given up hope that some day she may be able to do just that-things like driving a car, being a grandmother who can pick up her grandchild, helping neighbors again-so many of the things most of us take for granted.. She didn't choose for this to happen to her. And now one of God's angels has found her and has offered help. God has blessed April by bringing into her life Angel Flight, Blue Cross, the Mayo Clinic and her family and friends. Thank God!!! Best of luck, April. I wish you God's continued blessings, a safe journey, a speedy recovery and a relief from your pain. You deserve it.

Denise Woodbury
denise@woodbury.com

First off, I have known April for many years, and this is not just a simple pain that she's going through. It's an extreme amount of constant pain, many trips to the ER, many extended stays in the hospital... She has been in debilitating pain for many, many years.

Some people might believe the simple answer would be "book a flight and hotel on expedia" but for someone in April's condition, this is not only impossible, but potentially deadly.

I had a chance to talk to April over the Swish weekend. She shared with me that a 10 minute car ride could land her in the hospital for days. It has before, many times. Try taking a flight, on commercial airlines, with seating areas much smaller and more closed in than a car and sitting on it for hours at a time. Even with a direct flight and tons of help from a fellow traveller (which good luck getting many of those out of Spokane airport) she would never make it.

April also described to me the financial "donations" these companies are choosing to give. Yes give. This isn't costing taxpayers any money in tax increases. It's a gracious gift from God coming to April in the form of a few good men. Absolute Kudos to these miracle men who have "given" her a chance at a painfree life. Kudos to Angel Flight. Kudos to Blue Cross. Kudos to the Mayo Clinic and all the wonderful supporters and helpers in April's case and others.

In addition, the money being put forth for April is not just for the flight itself. It includes the diagnostics, the surgeries to correct her medical condition, the staff time of the doctors and nurses who give themselves to special cases, which make the Mayo Clinic one of the best, most knowledgable hospitals in the world.

God speed April and Jack. Our Prayers will be with you during this hopeful time

I just looked on Expedia.com and They can book a flight to Rochester,MN and a 10 day stay at the Ramada Inn Hotel - Mayo Clinic Area for $1918.80. (Yes, This price is for two!) They should ask Mr. Freer just to pick up that cost instead of wasting the $70 K just to get them there!

Thanks,

Tina Lewis
tinal@bcchmail.org