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Hi! I am Vanessa Cook! I am the wife of Chris Cook and I am the stay at home mommy and primary caregiver to our 3 beautiful, young children: Dylan,8, Addison,5, and Isabella,3. My husband works an hour away from our home and he works long shifts to support our family.
On Saturday, June 4, 2016 my world was turned upside down when I was bitten by a copperhead snake twice (once in each foot) in my front yard! My wonderful husband immediately called 911 and killed the snake. As soon as the snake bit me my feet and legs were instantaneous filled with the worst burning sensational that I have ever felt. The EMS arrived at our home and very quickly took me to Palmetto Health Richland hospital where I still am and will be until I am able to move about again either by wheelchair or walker. I see no real end in sight for this hospital stay. The doctors are hoping that I can be discharged on Friday, but I am high risk for compartment syndrome (where your body cuts off circulation to other parts of the body) because of all of the swelling. They will not let me go home until the swelling is no longer a huge concern AND I have to be able to move about a little.
Shortly after being admitted into the ER I was administered the Anti-venom medication along with the strongest pain killer currently on the market. The average snake bite victim needs 3-4 units of the anti-venom drug...I required 16 units just to get the venom under control. By the time the venom was finally under control it had spread all the way up my leg to my hip on my left side and up past my knee on my right side. I have been told that the anti-venom costs approximately $20,000-$30,000 per unit and may not be fully covered by insurance. We currently have minimal insurance and we are not sure how much of my medical bills will be covered. I will continue to be on pain medication because of the excruciating pain (which has not let up since the bites occurred) for several more weeks which will not be covered by insurance. We have applied for all available discounts for my not covered and particially covered medical bills.
The doctors have all let me know that the recovery and rehabilitation from these bites will take approximately 6 months. I will not be able to walk sufficiently or take care of our children completely on my own (which I have done from day one with our first child). I will require a walker, wheelchair, and other things to move around with more ease within our home.
I have set up this GoFund Me account because so many wonderful people have asked how they can help. Well this is it! Since I have always been the caregiver in our family and I will now require other people to perform those tasks we will need financial support. Any amount given is greatly appreciated! We have been a family that I cooked dinner EVER night, so any amount of take out, fast food, and convenience foods will be quite a shock to our budget.
All funds received from this account will be used for my recovery, rehabilitation, and medical bills. Thank you all so much for your kind words, prayers, and financial contributions during this very difficult time for our family!
On Saturday, June 4, 2016 my world was turned upside down when I was bitten by a copperhead snake twice (once in each foot) in my front yard! My wonderful husband immediately called 911 and killed the snake. As soon as the snake bit me my feet and legs were instantaneous filled with the worst burning sensational that I have ever felt. The EMS arrived at our home and very quickly took me to Palmetto Health Richland hospital where I still am and will be until I am able to move about again either by wheelchair or walker. I see no real end in sight for this hospital stay. The doctors are hoping that I can be discharged on Friday, but I am high risk for compartment syndrome (where your body cuts off circulation to other parts of the body) because of all of the swelling. They will not let me go home until the swelling is no longer a huge concern AND I have to be able to move about a little.
Shortly after being admitted into the ER I was administered the Anti-venom medication along with the strongest pain killer currently on the market. The average snake bite victim needs 3-4 units of the anti-venom drug...I required 16 units just to get the venom under control. By the time the venom was finally under control it had spread all the way up my leg to my hip on my left side and up past my knee on my right side. I have been told that the anti-venom costs approximately $20,000-$30,000 per unit and may not be fully covered by insurance. We currently have minimal insurance and we are not sure how much of my medical bills will be covered. I will continue to be on pain medication because of the excruciating pain (which has not let up since the bites occurred) for several more weeks which will not be covered by insurance. We have applied for all available discounts for my not covered and particially covered medical bills.
The doctors have all let me know that the recovery and rehabilitation from these bites will take approximately 6 months. I will not be able to walk sufficiently or take care of our children completely on my own (which I have done from day one with our first child). I will require a walker, wheelchair, and other things to move around with more ease within our home.
I have set up this GoFund Me account because so many wonderful people have asked how they can help. Well this is it! Since I have always been the caregiver in our family and I will now require other people to perform those tasks we will need financial support. Any amount given is greatly appreciated! We have been a family that I cooked dinner EVER night, so any amount of take out, fast food, and convenience foods will be quite a shock to our budget.
All funds received from this account will be used for my recovery, rehabilitation, and medical bills. Thank you all so much for your kind words, prayers, and financial contributions during this very difficult time for our family!
Organizer
Vanessa Turner Cook
Organizer
Lugoff, SC