Mom needs help
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
As most of you know, I am exceptionally close with my mom, Ruthmarie. Mom is such a wonderful, caring person. She has helped my family and I endlessly for as long as I can remember and would do whatever she can to help a stranger.
A few months ago, mom started having extreme difficulty breathing, chest pain and an unproductive cough, she went to her PCP to undergo standard testing, labs and was given a prescription for antibiotics and steroids. 4 weeks later, when she did not feel better, the PCP ordered a Cat Scan of her lungs to which they found several “spots” that were questionable. More labs were drawn, and a sputum test was conducted, which was sent out to Mayo clinic in Minnesota.
- Fast forward to June where she underwent a bronchoscopy to biopsy both lungs, six long agonizing weeks to hear the test results: Nontuberculosis Mycobacterium (NTM) and Peniophora Fungus. What does this mean? Well, mom is extremely sick, she has a bad infection from the NTM and she also has a fungal infection, both in the lungs. The worst part is, you cannot treat them both at the same time, as the NTM will worsen on antifungals. Which puts me to the now, she needs extremely aggressive treatment for a minimum of a year, however, her Infectious Disease doctor and Pulmonologist have never treated or heard of either of these and is referring her to Denver, Colorado. There is a place called National Jewish Health that specializes in the NTM infection and can provide adequate and appropriate treatments without worsening the fungus. People with these difficult infections go there and mom would receive an evaluation and treatment, eventually returning to Florida and continuing treatment with her Infectious Disease Doctor.
I am asking for help, in the form of donations if you can or prayers for her health, recovery and comfort. Mom has continued to work throughout this ordeal, at Halifax Hospital, where every day she sacrifices her safety. Donations would be used to help cover her plane ticket, hotel accommodation (minimum 10 days), car rental, out of pocket medical expenses and whatever else she would need while out there.
My mom is the most important person in my life, seeing her so tired and sick is breaking my heart. She is using multiple inhalers just to be able to walk around at work and breathe. She is on oxygen at home and has now developed gout in both ankles, as the untreated NTM causes your body to start attacking other organs and joints in your body. Thank you for the prayers, well wishes and help!
Gen
Organizer
Genevieve Apker
Organizer
Wyandotte, MI