A friend in need... Joe Sendra
Donation protected
On Sunday, December 14, my BFF, Diane Sendra called me to tell me that her little brother, my friend and honorary little brother suffered a burst brain aneurysm while weekending in Rhode Island. By the time I got there, 4 hours later, the cafeteria was filled with family and friends in disbelief, and holding on to hope.
Joe received a coil to stop the bleeding. The doctors told us that aneurysms work on a scale of 1-5, 5 not being conducive with life, Joe was a 4.
there is no time to plan for an aneurysm. There is no time to prepare yourself, or for loved ones to prepare, it is instantaneous, and devastating to all. It was a waiting game.
The group discussed moving Joe when he was able to be moved, until we witnessed the unbelievable care this hospital gave. It was apparent from the moment he entered the ER that this is where he should stay, as long as it takes.
after hours, that seemed like years, we were told Joe was going upstairs to the Neuro ICU. I was staying at the hospital overnight with Diane, so I impatiently waited as the family and friends that were leaving could see him. I've seen a lot in my life, I was not prepared for this.
Joe was pale and still, eyes closed and on a respirator. His head was shaved ( not a terrible look for him ), and there was a tube coming out of his brain dripping the excess blood and spinal fluid into a bag. He had a central line and assorted other IV's in him....it wasn't fair, or right!!!
the fact that Joe is with us is truly a miracle by all counts. He is also off the respirator and talking. He has no memory of what happened, or even the past couple of weeks. Joe has no short term memory. This is a horrible effect of the bleed as he doesn't know why he is in a hospital, or why there is a tube coming out of his head dripping blood into a bag....we tell him, but a few minutes later, it scares him again.
it is way to soon to know what Joes deficits will be, he will remain in the hospital another 2 weeks to a month as long as he hits no major bumps in the road. The doctors are happy, and surprised by his progress, but very guarded.
After this hospital, Joe will need to go to a rehab facility, unless he is doing remarkably well in which case he can go home, but not to his home as he cannot be alone, and get his therapies as an outpatient. It will be 10 months to a year, if all goes well, before the final outcome will be known. This is a long process, the brain is a mysterious organ, and apparently has its own plan.
i am setting up this page, to help Joe. To help Joes family visit him.
Joe is in the absolute best possible place, but it is hours away from his family, and hotels and eating at cafeterias and take out is expensive. The Sendras are rich in love, but do no have a lot of expendable cash. Diane and I worked a deal with a nearby hotel to get a reduced rate for the family, but it is still a lot of money, and Joe will be in Rhode Island for a while.
In addition, for many months after Joe is released from the hospital and is attaining rehab, he will not be working, however, he will still have car payments, insurance and other bills that need to be paid.
the Sendras would never ask, so I am doing it for them...please give anything you can, nothing is to little, I promise!! I want to raise money to take the monetary burden off the Sendras so that they can visit Joe a couple of days at a time, it's good for them, it is great for Joe.
Imagine being hours away from someone that you love, someone that suffered a catastrophic incident, all because you don't have the money to be away from home, but you want the best for them, so out of selflessness, you do what is best for them.
Joe needs his family, and everyone needs an advocate at the hospital, so please, if you've read this far, thank you and please give what you can.
thank you, thank you!!
Joes honorary big sister,
Faith
Joe received a coil to stop the bleeding. The doctors told us that aneurysms work on a scale of 1-5, 5 not being conducive with life, Joe was a 4.
there is no time to plan for an aneurysm. There is no time to prepare yourself, or for loved ones to prepare, it is instantaneous, and devastating to all. It was a waiting game.
The group discussed moving Joe when he was able to be moved, until we witnessed the unbelievable care this hospital gave. It was apparent from the moment he entered the ER that this is where he should stay, as long as it takes.
after hours, that seemed like years, we were told Joe was going upstairs to the Neuro ICU. I was staying at the hospital overnight with Diane, so I impatiently waited as the family and friends that were leaving could see him. I've seen a lot in my life, I was not prepared for this.
Joe was pale and still, eyes closed and on a respirator. His head was shaved ( not a terrible look for him ), and there was a tube coming out of his brain dripping the excess blood and spinal fluid into a bag. He had a central line and assorted other IV's in him....it wasn't fair, or right!!!
the fact that Joe is with us is truly a miracle by all counts. He is also off the respirator and talking. He has no memory of what happened, or even the past couple of weeks. Joe has no short term memory. This is a horrible effect of the bleed as he doesn't know why he is in a hospital, or why there is a tube coming out of his head dripping blood into a bag....we tell him, but a few minutes later, it scares him again.
it is way to soon to know what Joes deficits will be, he will remain in the hospital another 2 weeks to a month as long as he hits no major bumps in the road. The doctors are happy, and surprised by his progress, but very guarded.
After this hospital, Joe will need to go to a rehab facility, unless he is doing remarkably well in which case he can go home, but not to his home as he cannot be alone, and get his therapies as an outpatient. It will be 10 months to a year, if all goes well, before the final outcome will be known. This is a long process, the brain is a mysterious organ, and apparently has its own plan.
i am setting up this page, to help Joe. To help Joes family visit him.
Joe is in the absolute best possible place, but it is hours away from his family, and hotels and eating at cafeterias and take out is expensive. The Sendras are rich in love, but do no have a lot of expendable cash. Diane and I worked a deal with a nearby hotel to get a reduced rate for the family, but it is still a lot of money, and Joe will be in Rhode Island for a while.
In addition, for many months after Joe is released from the hospital and is attaining rehab, he will not be working, however, he will still have car payments, insurance and other bills that need to be paid.
the Sendras would never ask, so I am doing it for them...please give anything you can, nothing is to little, I promise!! I want to raise money to take the monetary burden off the Sendras so that they can visit Joe a couple of days at a time, it's good for them, it is great for Joe.
Imagine being hours away from someone that you love, someone that suffered a catastrophic incident, all because you don't have the money to be away from home, but you want the best for them, so out of selflessness, you do what is best for them.
Joe needs his family, and everyone needs an advocate at the hospital, so please, if you've read this far, thank you and please give what you can.
thank you, thank you!!
Joes honorary big sister,
Faith
Organizer
Faith E Leibow
Organizer
Long Beach, NY
