Financial & Medical Emergency Help

Into every life a little rain must fall . . .

Seldom are we prepared to tough it out when that “little rain” turns into something more like a wild tornado or hurricane. But my sister has had to face a hurricane-style medical onslaught head-on since 2013.

Her name is Nancy and she is 60 years old. She had four heart attacks (two in 2013 and two in 2014), plus additional complications in 2015 and 2016 that include atherosclerosis of native coronary artery with angina pectoris, shortness of breath, COPD, aortic valve disease, bilateral lower extremity edema, blood loss edema, severe anemia, peripheral edema, peripheral artery disease, GI bleeding ulcers, and more, including removal of a very large tumor behind her right ear in 2014.

To date in 2016, her health insurance carrier reports that she has had over 65 visits with 13 doctors and specialists, plus four hospital stays in three different hospitals between April and July.

When I became her “health advocate” earlier this year, I started going to all her doctor appointments. I discovered that she was on 19 prescriptions, half of which were later determined to be unnecessary! Even worse, they caused Nancy far more physical discomfort due to the serious contraindications that occurred.

At that point, we quickly made the decision to change all of her doctors and move to a medical network where the doctors actually consult with one another about their mutual patients. Our first move was to find a new Primary Care Physician who would closely monitor every prescription from every specialist Nancy would see. We found a great replacement PCP that same week and she immediately removed 14 of the 19 prescriptions and Nancy is now down to only 4 after seeing her new cardiologist for the first time.

The latest round of issues Nancy still faces includes a terrible swelling of her feet and calves to two and three times their normal size. The accompanying pain is constant and horrific 24/7, to the point that she has great difficulty walking, standing, sitting and sleeping -- which is affecting her overall wellness and ability to work. This condition started in April 2016 and continues to this day. That is a long time to be in such awful pain throughout each and every day and night! The new doctors have yet to determine the reason for her pain, and how to treat it, but they are dedicated professionals and are getting very close, so we are filled with hope!

Needless to say, Nancy is unable to keep up with all the medical and household bills. And I am looking for a way to help lift this ongoing burden from her shoulders so that she can focus on getting healthy again. Any contribution you find it in your heart to make would be a huge blessing to Nancy, who would be extremely grateful. And, knowing Nancy, she will find a way to pay it forward. She always does.

In order to get right side up, Nancy needs $13,863.88 before Friday, August 19, 2016, to continue moving forward with everything she has on her plate.

As Little Jack Horner from the famous nursery rhyme might say, ‘If we could put in our thumbs, and pull out some plums,’ Nancy would be able to continue to get the help she needs and get well again without all the financial worries that are weighing on her so heavily.