My name is Nicole, and I created this gofundme to help support one of my absolute favorite families during a very difficult time for them.

 

As many of you may know, Barry had a scare a couple Sundays ago - he broke out in a cold sweat, had extreme fatigue, and some swelling. Karen finally convinced him to go to the ER and get checked out.

 

He was admitted to Vanderbilt Bedford County on April 5th for observation and testing and we learned that he is in AFib and his heart rate was all over the place. The cardiologist advised that he has a valve that is super narrow and will need to be replaced.  

 

He was transferred to Vanderbilt in Nashville on Saturday, April 9th and since then we have learned that due to calcium buildup in his artery and other various factors, they will not be able to do the surgery via catheter, unfortunately, and an open procedure with bypass will be needed to both replace his valve and clear several blockages.  We expect that to take place sometime the week of the 26th.

 

Since Barry was admitted, Karen has been by his side, living at the hospital with him, while Jennifer and others keep things moving at home. Unfortunately, this means that Karen is unable to work. The expected recovery time for B’s surgery will now be much longer than we had hoped, and, post surgery will require at LEAST a 7 day hospital stay for the early days of his recovery, longer if he suffers any complications as a result. Best case, we are likely looking at a month of hospital time altogether, if not more.

 

If you know Karen Smith then you know that she is the kindest, most selfless person in this world. She would give anyone the shirt off her back if they needed it and would never ask for a single thing in return. She is amazing and would do anything for anyone if she could. She tries so often to do it all, be it all, and take care of it all - always with a smile and a kind heart - and she does an incredible job - but this time she is going to need a little help.

 

So many of you have reached out to myself and the family asking what you can do to help - and as much as I KNOW Karen will hate that I am putting this out here - this is what you can do.  In addition to household bills and needs, there will likely be some very costly medical bills when this is all said and done.  Karen is the sole source of income for her family and any little bit you can spare to help ease some of the financial burden of not being able to work, to allow her to be with Barry and help him through his recovery without stress, would be so very appreciated. 

 

I will keep everyone updated here on how Barry and the family is doing as we continue down the road to surgery and then recovery. From the bottom of my heart - and I know from the family as well - thank you so very much.

 

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