Let's Help Jeff Copper
Donation protected
Hey friends and family, wanted to give you all an updated on Dad, and fill you in on the full story, as there have only been bits and pieces on Facebook and sporadic phone calls or texts with many of the folks that care about him.
The week of Thanksgiving, one of Dad's two vertebral arteries tore (these are big, important ones that get blood to the brain). After tearing, it proceeded to clot completely through. This is what caused the strokes he suffered from Wednesday to Friday that week. Now he is down to one of these essential arteries (the doctors said the one that clotted will never be used again).
After a couple days in ICU, and a few more days in the hospital, he went to inpatient rehab where he made significant strides. After only 4 days in rehab, he had made a near complete recovery of speech and motor ability - which was tremendous and quite unexpected!
However, since he was discharged on December the 8th, his recovery has all but stalled. His energy levels are very low, sleeping 14+ hours at night, and then spends most of the day on the couch. For those of you who know dad - this is not him at all! While he has had some good 2 or 3 hours of interaction many days, on others a mere 20 minute visit from friends or 5 minute phone call has been enough to exhaust him.
This past week (Tuesday before Christmas) we found out the reason for his low energy. The neurosurgeon expalined that the MRI revealed a near complete blockage of his remaining vertebral artery. Basically, of these two arteries, he is recieving blood flow to his brain through a hole the size of a piece of fishing line - less than 5% what a healthy bloodflow to the brain is.
So here is why we are asking you to help out through gofundme - as many of you know, dad was transitioning out of pastoral ministry on January 1st with the intent of starting his own business. As a result of the stroke, his business plans have not been advanced at all, and he recieved his last check from the church on December 15th.
Outside of working full time as a pastor, the past 5 years dad has worked 2-3 days per week doing construction on the side to support the family. Since his stroke, he has also not been able to do this at all.
Additionally, mom had just begun a new job at Carilion 3 weeks before the stroke happened, and she had minimal paid time off stored as a result. Due to his condition, mom has only worked 2 nights since the stroke.
So basically, they have gone from 3 incomes to support the family to less than 1. This request will allow mom and dad to continue to focus on dad's recovery during these uncertain months. It will also allow us to make some other plans in terms of transitioning dad into the business world when he is ready, and not force it prematurely on his body for financial reasons.
Thank you so much to our good friend Lea Lineberry for setting this up, and thank you to the so many wonderful friends and family who have reached out, texted, called, and helped out in so many ways! Dad has a procedure scheduled to repair the remaining vertebral artery for the week after Christmas. We are praying and believeing for a full recovery, and we covet your prayers for this as well!
If you would prefer to donate directly, you cand send to
Jon Copper
2219 Carolina Ave SW
Roanoke, Va 24014
*Makes checks payable to Jeff Copper
The week of Thanksgiving, one of Dad's two vertebral arteries tore (these are big, important ones that get blood to the brain). After tearing, it proceeded to clot completely through. This is what caused the strokes he suffered from Wednesday to Friday that week. Now he is down to one of these essential arteries (the doctors said the one that clotted will never be used again).
After a couple days in ICU, and a few more days in the hospital, he went to inpatient rehab where he made significant strides. After only 4 days in rehab, he had made a near complete recovery of speech and motor ability - which was tremendous and quite unexpected!
However, since he was discharged on December the 8th, his recovery has all but stalled. His energy levels are very low, sleeping 14+ hours at night, and then spends most of the day on the couch. For those of you who know dad - this is not him at all! While he has had some good 2 or 3 hours of interaction many days, on others a mere 20 minute visit from friends or 5 minute phone call has been enough to exhaust him.
This past week (Tuesday before Christmas) we found out the reason for his low energy. The neurosurgeon expalined that the MRI revealed a near complete blockage of his remaining vertebral artery. Basically, of these two arteries, he is recieving blood flow to his brain through a hole the size of a piece of fishing line - less than 5% what a healthy bloodflow to the brain is.
So here is why we are asking you to help out through gofundme - as many of you know, dad was transitioning out of pastoral ministry on January 1st with the intent of starting his own business. As a result of the stroke, his business plans have not been advanced at all, and he recieved his last check from the church on December 15th.
Outside of working full time as a pastor, the past 5 years dad has worked 2-3 days per week doing construction on the side to support the family. Since his stroke, he has also not been able to do this at all.
Additionally, mom had just begun a new job at Carilion 3 weeks before the stroke happened, and she had minimal paid time off stored as a result. Due to his condition, mom has only worked 2 nights since the stroke.
So basically, they have gone from 3 incomes to support the family to less than 1. This request will allow mom and dad to continue to focus on dad's recovery during these uncertain months. It will also allow us to make some other plans in terms of transitioning dad into the business world when he is ready, and not force it prematurely on his body for financial reasons.
Thank you so much to our good friend Lea Lineberry for setting this up, and thank you to the so many wonderful friends and family who have reached out, texted, called, and helped out in so many ways! Dad has a procedure scheduled to repair the remaining vertebral artery for the week after Christmas. We are praying and believeing for a full recovery, and we covet your prayers for this as well!
If you would prefer to donate directly, you cand send to
Jon Copper
2219 Carolina Ave SW
Roanoke, Va 24014
*Makes checks payable to Jeff Copper
Organizer
Lea Lineberry
Organizer
Roanoke, VA
