Mosquito, Meningitis, West Nile AND cancer!

Hi, My name is Michelle and I am fundraising for my dear mother - Mary - to help alleviate additional stressors so she can heal! Mary is a very active, energetic, selfless 74 year old that enjoyed a very healthy habit of walking 5-7 miles daily up in Show Low, AZ.

 

Unfortunately, August 12th during one of her afternoon walks, she was bit by a mosquito and that little critter changed everything! She ended up very ill with a kidney infection, then went down hill from there. She was taken by ambulance THREE times to the hospital in Show Low, each time being turned away for various reasons. She was declining very quickly and overnight lost the use of her right arm completely, Bells Palsy settled into the right side of her face, and the spinal meningitis set in. After my amazing uncle who is an EMT in Show Low spoke to the doctors and then driving to show low myself, they finally admitted her and at that point thought we truly worried that we were going to lose her, as she had gone down hill so quickly and they were very slow to give us any answers. They couldn't find a diagnosis after a series of tests, so I requested to have an ambulance transfer her down to Barrows Neurological hospital at St Joes. There she was finally diagnosed with spinal Meningitis, West Nile Virus, and Bells Palsy. The meningitis affected her neurological functions tremendously. She was hallucinating, speaking to people that weren't there, she couldn't keep food down, and there were times she was barely coherent.

She was eventually transferred to Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital to work on regaining her functions, walking, re-learning self-care, and strengthening her very weak, frail body. She also was faced with another HUGE obstacle and that was learning to do everything with her left hand, and ONLY one hand. She was released into my care mid-September. She started therapy immediately - 3 days a week in hopes to gain function of the right arm again and strength in general. During her recovery, I noticed a sore on her chest that wouldn't heal, so I took her to see my dermatologist and sure enough - skin cancer. She went in last week to have the large mass removed and will start radiation treatment as it was growing quickly and dangerously approaching her circulatory system.

She's been displaced from her Show Low home for the last 3 months, and we really aren't sure as to when she will be strong enough to return home. She's unable to work, unable to care fully for herself and now as the medical bills have started piling in, she's been overwhelmed with stress of paying her portion and even has considered cancelling therapy as the stress of her financial burdens grow - which can be very detrimental to her recovery. With limited knowledge on West Nile the final outcome of recovery is very uncertain, but we are staying positive and hopeful that she will regain the use of her right arm again and go back to functioning normal or at least a somewhat normal lifestyle.

She has bills coming from 3 different hospitals, 4 ambulance rides, surgery, therapy, and soon, radiation treatments. We have no other resources for her, so we are left to do this. We hope and pray we can all come together to alleviate this burden so she can focus on her health and recovery. My mother is one of the most SELFLESS people I know, so It kills her to have to ask for help, but we have no other options. I thank each one of you in advance, and know that every little bit helps. May God bless you all and thank you for helping mom!!