Hello, Family & Friends,
I authored this description during a very busy time for Roxanne; I did not have all the details exactly correct. Roxanne has been able to review and add greater detail providing a more accurate depiction of exactly what has been going on with Laurie and Dan. The updated description follows . . .
2016 started with a quite a bang for Dan & Laurie - a bang right up side their heads that is!
Few of you likely know, but Laurie has been facing a debilitating disorder that has her wheelchair bound for the last several months. With failing kidneys, dialysis has been an ongoing treatment which is currently 3 times per week. This will be necessary until she can get a new kidney - Laurie is currently waiting for testing necessary to be placed on the organ transplant list. She has an autoimmune disease called Wegener's Granulamotsis which affects the blood vessels, respiratory system and can affect organs, her kidneys in this instance.
Dan has been her primary caretaker, and during this time, Dan lost his job and they have been making ends meet through savings and Laurie's disability funds while Dan searched to replace his income.
Over the holidays, Laurie went into the hospital for complications from her graft which is the port they use for dialysis (a graft is a man-made tube inserted into the body, her arm, to connect an artery to a vein). It can become blocked, and if unable to be flushed out, a surgical procedure to clear the blockage is necessary. In the meantime, on Christmas eve they inserted a chest catherer so she could have dialysis.
Thankfully she was discharged on Christmas Day, but just days after their return home, Dan suffered a stroke, fell on Laurie, and both were unable to move. The two would lay on their living room floor, incapacitated for at least 24 hours, praying and screaming for someone to find them. Fortunately, Laurie's dialysis appointment was missed and they phoned Roxanne, Laurie's daughter, to notify her. It was then that Roxanne's husband, Dave, found them. They were both taken to the ER by ambulance.
Laurie was disoriented, bruised, dehydrated, had an infection coursing through her system, and was in rough condition upon finding her. And while they initially feared Dan had broken his back and pelvis, this was not the case. Instead, they discovered that the stroke had paralyzed his left leg and foot.
The good news, the silver lining if you will . . . they are both under doctor's care.
Laurie has been moved from the hospital to a skilled nursing center to regain strength and the ability to be mobile, while receiving on-site dialysis (and an amazing blessing that insurance approved a facility located very close to Roxanne, as well as Dan & Laurie's home).
Dan requires continued physical therapy, but therapists believe he will recover full use of his leg and foot. Dan remains at the hospital, but has been moved to a rehabilitation floor where he is undergoing intensive physical, speech and occupational therapy.
The bad news . . . they are and will continue to be away from home for weeks to come - how long is still not known. With their savings depleted and no potential income other than Laurie's meager state aide, they need our assistance to help them through until Dan is back on both feet, able to work and resume his job search.
Some of the immediate needs your generosity will help address are: 1) helping to to keep Harry in the boarding/kennel until one of them is able to return home and can care for him; 2) decontaminating their home as a result of Harry being left nervously alone without access to the yard; 3) miscellaneous bills that are piling up without ability to pay . . . hopefully saving their home so they have a welcoming place to return to upon recovery. And all the other fun obstacles and debts life throws at you during times like these.
We know everyone has their own hurdles and challenges, and that money is tight during these tough economic times. And that makes your willingness to donate even more amazing. It's not easy to put your hand out, and as difficult to put your hand into your own pocket. Knowing this, please do not feel obligated or pressured to do so. Give only if you can . . . it all adds up and every dollar will be used wisely, and with love.
And if you cannot give at this time, please just keep Laurie, Dan, Harry, Roxanne, Dave and their boys in your prayers. This is a terribly difficult time for them all.
At this time, they are being treated at:
LAURIE
The Springs at Crystal Lake Rehab Center
1000 E. Brighton Ln, Crystal Lake, IL 60012
815-477-6400
DAN
404 Wedgewood Trail
McHenry, IL 60050
815-344-5887
Thank you very much for your love, prayers and generosity if possible,
Laura Sands (Dan's Sister), in partnership with
Roxanne O'Brien (Laurie's Daughter)