In Need Of Prayers And Support

Please send your Prayers and support.

My husband a disabled USAF Veteran, underwent emergency surgery Feb. 7th for a problem secondary to his disability. He lost his leg below the knee, and a severe back injury.

11 years ago after an intense back surgery, a filter was implanted in a vein close to his heart (Greenfield Filter) to trap blood clots.

Late March Ray was experiencing leg swelling and back pain to the point he couldn't walk.  Ray is 6'2, 225 lbs. I couldn't get him down the stairs, not to mention getting him into our truck.  So the obvious, I had to call EMS.

The Doctors couldn't figure out what was happening.  They brought in a Vascular Specialist.  The problem was the filter had become clogged.   Surgery was scheduled and performed on Feb 7th.  The surgeons were confident that the filter was unclogged and the swelling would start to dissipate.   After 3 weeks in the hospital he was sent to rehab to regain his strength.   After spending another 3 weeks in rehab the fluids in his body started getting worse causing more swelling.  He was transported again back to the hospital.  The Vascular surgeon was hoping by cleaning out the filter would be the answer because removing the filter poses a grave danger.

Surgery was scheduled April 6th with a team of 11 surgeons.  The surgeons discovered that the filter had become embedded in the veins which was causing a blockage for the blood to move freely.   After 6 hours the surgery was a success.  The swelling in his lower extremities started to dissipate fast, he was doing well.  After a few days he was released to come home on April 9th.  

With this horrendous pandemic I was unable to visit him at any time during his stay at the hospital, or rehab, they were on lockdown.

Easter Sunday Ray couldn't breathe (scariest sight I've ever witnessed first thought was, Covid) Thank God for our first responders, they were here fast and had him on oxygen.  His doctor realized the fluids had gone into his left lung (he tested negative for covid) He was put on a heavy dose of Lasix which was helping the fluid retention to dissipate fast. Ray was released and came back home April 15th with prescriptions which included injectable Lovenox.  He was on Heparin until the prescription for the Lovenox was filled.  As of this morning Ray again was rushed to the hospital due to an allergic reaction to the Lovenox couldn't breathe and acute edema. Thank GOD He's stabilized and is doing well.

To make matters worse. The VA will not approve A&A (aid & assistance) for me. Knowing Ray has a morphine pain pump implanted in his stomach (for his back pain, spinal stenosis) which at times causes confusion.  We have a fight on our hands.  Ray's VA advocate has been working on his case before any of this has happened. He's confident at this point the VA will approve the A&A.  This isn't this first time he's had problems with the VA.  Ray collects a VA disability, not a pension "2 different animals." Very confusing.

With all that has happened, I will not be able to return to work.  

Stress levels are over the top! Medical bills among household bills are coming in.  Our financial situation is getting tough. With the advice from friends, I'm reaching out.  I/we need help to offset the the worry and stress.

Please anything will help.  Please Pray.

Thank you in advance.

With Love and Gratitude 
Kim