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Make Your Own!
A community fund forAndrea Apple and son, Sebastian
An Apple a Day
Started by: Jeff Crouch
An Apple a Day
My name is Jeff Crouch and I am privileged to be the stepfather of Andrea Apple and grandfather to her sweet 6-year-old son, Sebastian “Bear”. Sadly, Andrea has been taken suddenly and very seriously ill. She is fortunate to have an amazing support system and access to incredible healthcare resources at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco. But, as a single mom and sole provider for her son, she has a very rough road ahead.
Many loving and compassionate friends/family have expressed a desire to help. In today's world, capital resources are the most efficient means of translating a desire to help into a resource that actually can and does. Andrea and Bear will be extremely and eternally grateful for any contribution that you may be moved to provide.
Back-story -
On Friday, 2/26/16, Andrea awoke to what seemed to be any otherwise normal day. That all changed quite dramatically and swiftly when she began to feel a slight tingling sensation in her legs. Roll the clock forward 24 hours and she’s experiencing full-on paraplegia. Two emergency surgeries and many tests reveal that previously undetected breast cancer had metastasized to her spine at T2, necessitating its removal. In its place is an extensive titanium structure between C5 - T5. Andrea will be undergoing rehab as she endeavors to regain the use of her lower limbs while simultaneously working with oncology to fight the ravaging cancer. Andrea is obviously on but the first leg of an arduous journey as she endeavors to return to health - a journey that will stretch over many months.
Latest Update
Miraculously, Andrea has regained about 90% sensation and coordinated movement of her lower extremities and can walk unaided! Just 73 days ago, she was completely paraplegic with an outlook that seemed to provide little chance of this bright of an outcome. She can now focus her energies on fighting the offending cancer. Fortunately, her oncology regimen does not include chemo or radiation, but rather a hormonally-based series of medications which have some, but far less debilitating side-effects, or at least so we hope. Her surgical scar is healing nicely, if somewhat amusingly misaligned. Having given up her former 2nd floor apartment (on the initial belief that she would never be able to deal with stairs again), she is now discovering first-hand the challenge of finding affordable rental housing in the Santa Rosa market. If anyone has a lead on something, please let us know. Thank you all again for your tremendous support, your inquiries, prayers and positive thoughts.
Posted by Jeff
May 11 at 4:42am
Seems like an eternity ago in so many ways. In the past 30 days, we've gone from the depths of despair to rejoicing the spirit of this beautiful and resilient soul called Andrea. Long ago friend, Lyndsay, puts her life on hold and spends a small fortune to overcome two travel hell-holes (LA and Bay Area), to spend a scant couple of hours invigorating the temporarily depressed spirit of the unstoppable Andrea. Wow! Thank you, Lyndsay, for the much needed smiles you've put on this dear face.
Posted by Jeff
April 1 at 6:00pm
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Hugh Helm — 8 years ago
All good thoughts to Andrea and Sebastian - take care of yourself, too, Jeff.
Chris L. Dobbins — 8 years ago
Beautiful !!! :-D ♥
Chris L. Dobbins — 8 years ago
Beautiful!!! :-D ♥
3 weeks in and it's now all about learning to walk and becoming semi-independent. Hoping to get sprung from acute rehab this week and then it's off to stay with sister, Erika, in Napa while attending extensive daily physical therapy at an outpatient facility there. A walker and wheelchair will be a regular part of Andrea's life for the time being. While the spine and associated hardware learn to become permanent friends, she's unable to lift her hands/arms above eye level. Andrea's looking forward with great enthusiasm to getting the heck out of the (boring) hospital. Utmost appreciation from all of us to the many, many supportive friends and family.
Posted by Jeff
March 21 at 7:27am
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Terri Ritterhoff — 8 years ago
Good for you Andrea!!! Sounds like a good plan..
Andrea reports about 70% return of sensation to her legs. Having to relearn the complex functions of movement and balance all over again. What was once automatic no longer is. She is determined to walk out of acute rehab. I'm not betting against her.
Posted by Jeff
March 12 at 4:14pm
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Rad Apple — 8 years ago
Hello all, I am walking now, I have been to 2 Giants games already and I am thankful for each and every day! Thank you for all the wonderful thoughts and prayers, they are working!!! :)
Chris L. Dobbins — 8 years ago
Hi Andrea! :-) looks like you are on your way!!! Hope you are comfortable. You have so much energy I know you will be at this full steam. Take It easy and enjoy your sister and beautiful Napa. ♥ healing hugs to you Andrea. Chris
Azucena Amador — 8 years ago
keep on..keeping on..the dance floor awaits your return. ~XOXO
Azucena Amador — 8 years ago
keep on..keeping on..the dance floor awaits your return. ~XOXO
If this man doesn't have a god-complex, he should. Performed incredibly complex, delicate, ground-breaking and, most importantly, SUCCESSFUL surgery on my daughter, Andrea. He was making it up as he went along. Her case is apparently becoming famous in neurological circles. Thank you, Dr. Dhall!
Posted by Jeff
March 10 at 5:06pm
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Chris L. Dobbins — 8 years ago
Wonderful news!!! :-D Go Andrea!!!
Marcie Tuerk Einsidler — 8 years ago
So glad to hear it !
Azucena Amador — 8 years ago
Amen! Happy to hear positive news. Thinking of you Andrea. 💞
Howdy from UCSF Medical Center ICU! Always smiling and more concerned about others than about herself. She text/yelled at me for posting a photo showing her in a neck brace. Made me take it down because it was frightening her friends. Full of spunk, as always.
Posted by Jeff
March 5 at 7:22pm
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Jonathan Dobbs — 8 years ago
I am your sister's father-in-law and just learned from your supporters. You are in my daily prayers and there is support in NY for you . . . always. Your blessing is your friends and family to be there with you.
Sharon Dobbs — 8 years ago
You've got friends, coast to coast! New York is here for you!
Azucena Amador — 8 years ago
You look great Andrea. You put a good fight, cause I know you're a fighter. When ur up for a visit I would like to come by. Hugs wrapped in healing prayers I send to you. 💞🙏🏼💜
120 Supporters
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- Anonymous7 years ago Best wishes.
- Richard Pepper7 years ago
- Anonymous7 years ago
- Richard Stabler7 years ago Hi Jeff- I hope this helps! Rich
- Anonymous8 years ago
- Anonymous8 years ago
- Anonymous8 years ago
- Lee & Sherry8 years ago We wish you and your the family the very best during this difficult time.
- Anonymous8 years ago
- Silvano Rastelli8 years ago
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Chris L. Dobbins — 7 years ago
Wonderful and amazing update!!!! 😃 Great work Andrea. ..!!! 👍👌 Sending positive energy and best wishes for your new adventures!!💖 Chris