To say that it's been a rough few months for the Murphy family is an understatement.

My heart hurts thinking about what this family has been through these past few months and the road they have ahead of them.

I have never done a GoFundMe before and I never thought I would but I am hoping that putting this out there, and having family and friends help, will ease their stress just a little bit.

Their story starts back in February when Jacki had surgery and was out of work for over a month. While she was dealing with her health issues, their 5-year-old, Miriam, was feeling sick. At first, they thought it was just a stomach bug but after a couple of weeks of her not feeling well, going to doctors, a couple of trips to the ER and specialists, and losing quite a bit of weight, she is now in the hospital on a feeding tube.

With all of this going on, Kevin was laid off from his job in March. 

The day before Miriam was scheduled to go back to the specialist, Kevin dislocated and fractured his shoulder and ended up in the emergency room himself. After a couple of attempts, they were able to pop his shoulder back into place but he is currently in an immobilizer for the fracture for at least 6 weeks..

Miriam was admitted to the hospital the day after Easter and put on a feeding tube. They did several tests and after many days and seeing different doctors, she was diagnosed with PANDAS Disease. With that, they did a routine CAT scan and discovered that she had a Chiari Malformation (a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal). They then did an MRI to discover she had Syringomyelia (cerebrospinal fluid — the fluid that surrounds, cushions and protects your brain and spinal cord — collects within the spinal cord itself). 

This diagnosis was separate from her original reason for going to the hospital, but a "blessing in disguise" as it was discovered before her symptoms became painful and/or caused irreversible damage.

With that being discovered, Miriam had surgery, Chiari decompression, the following Monday. She has currently been in the hospital for two weeks. Once she is discharged, they will have to continue as an outpatient for the treatment associated with the PANDAS Disease, which is treatable but will take months to years for a recovery.

Between Jacki and Kevin, they have spent every minute in the hospital at Miriam's side. Jacki has missed a lot of work to be with Miriam. Kevin is searching for a job in between being at the hospital, taking care of their 3-year-old and taking care of his own medical needs with his shoulder. 

If you know of an opportunity for a remote or Tampa area project manager (in IT or otherwise) please reach out. 

They just moved to the Tampa area this past year into their dream home for their family.

Needless to say, medical bills are piling up along with bills at home at this income challenged time of their life. 

If you are fortunate enough at this time to give a little something to help them out, it would be greatly appreciated. We all know that every little bit helps. 

Nobody likes to ask for help, but I’d like to do so at this time for them.

Thank you in advance for helping this family in their time of need if you are able to, and if not, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Reach out to me if you have any questions

Please help me to help them!

xoxo

Sharon O'