My name is Rebecca and anyone who knows me at all knows my mom is my rock, my best friend, my travel buddy, the best mom and more. I am an only child, my mom is currently unmarried, and my dad has not been in the picture since I was 12 (which is a good thing, and a long story). We have been through so much heavy stuff together, which has only strengthened our bond.
If you know me, you also know that I was raised to be strong and independent. I am single myself, and I typically do not ever ask for help. I usually always figure out how to do it all myself, whether it’s for me or my mom, but I am surrendering this time and asking for help…
At the end of February, my mom had a stroke. It was her first and it shook us both to our core. She spent a week in the hospital, and then had two more weeks of home health. Although she was now walking with a cane, she was making great progress and starting to gain her strength back through physical therapy and speech therapy. Two weeks ago, she began to face a new major medical emergency. She contracted a really bad infection through some wounds on both feet, and was admitted to the hospital again at the end of May. Over the last couple weeks, she has been receiving IV antibiotic therapy and she has had two surgeries. She had part of her right foot amputated, which included all of her toes. She also had infected tissue as well as bone removed from her left foot (which already only has four toes due to one toe amputation seven years ago).
She is now healing, but she is still in the hospital as of today. She cannot put any weight on her right foot, and she can only put weight on her left heel. Her left side was the weaker side from the stroke too. Needless to say, this is going to be a long road of recovery. It will include a total of six weeks of IV therapy and she will be transferred from the hospital to a rehabilitation center before going home.
We are grateful for the amazing surgeon, as well as the infectious disease doctor, the hospitalist and the nursing staff who have all been taking great care of my mom so far at Banner Health.
My mom is not fully retired yet. She is a secretary at a school. She loves her job. Unfortunately, she does not have any PTO left after the stroke. I already do a lot to financially support her, and my goal is to buy a house next year with a next generation suite so she can move in and finally retire. But here we are now, and this is where I need help. I cannot do it all on my own. I need help to pay her rent and living expenses and medical bills… and all of the therapy, special equipment and shoes etc that come along with recovery and life after amputation.
My mom is scared, anxious, and unsure of the road ahead. She is strong and I know she will get through this, one day at a time. Starting a fundraiser is not something I thought I would ever do, but we would so greatly appreciate any and all donations to help her through this time so we do not have to stress and worry about all her bills.
Thank you in advance and bless you all for your thoughts and prayers too!
