Bobbi (Barbara) Ruotolo Surgery Recovery Help

Our special friend Bobbi has been battling a myriad of illnesses over the past several years and needs our help. She will be going in for full spinal surgery on Thursday, October 7th. They will be cutting from her neck all the way down her back. This is a major surgery and recovery is expected to be close to 1 year.

Bobbi’s social security does not even cover her rent, let alone her normal living expenses such as food, utilities, car insurance, gas, medicine or things needed for her recovery. Thus, as we all know, Bobbi has always worked long and hard to supplement her income. Unfortunately, due to her health condition and needed recovery time, she will not be able to work for at least a year.

Bobbi is very concerned about losing her apartment during this recovery period. Bobbi wanted to wait until she was in Senior Low-Income Housing to have this surgery but she's told the surgery cannot wait. We are raising money for Bobbi so that finances are not a concern and so that she can focus on getting better.

She is very hesitant to ask for help, but as we all know, if we asked her for anything she would be there for us. We appreciate anything you can give to help.

Below is a summary of Bobbi’s medical history leading up to this point:

At the end of 2019, Bobbi developed C-Diff. This was chronic for 2 years & in 2021 Bobbi had a "Fecal Transplant Surgery", it was a success.

The C-Diff led to a few illnesses. The first was a low immune system, with hair loss and debilitating fatigue which required lifelong weekly IGG Subcutaneous Plasma injections for 1-1/2 hrs. Her body no longer produces Plasma.

Then Bobbi started developing infections. Throughout all of her illnesses, her back and spine have worsened. Her sclerosis went from moderate to severe. She has arthritis, stenosis, degeneration throughout the complete spine. This leads to incredible pain.

On July 15th her spine pain was debilitating & she had no control over bodily functions. After five ambulance trips to the emergency room over the coming weeks, it was finally discovered that she had a severe infection in the bone marrow of her lower spine - Osteomylitis.

After seven weeks of hospitalization and five weeks in a convalescent rehabilitation center, she went home. She was on daily one hour infusions of a very strong antibiotic which had harsh side effects. It took one year to heal, leaving dead bones and more in her spine. For months Bobbi had constant tremors throughout her whole body.

Throughout this she developed severe Osteopetrosis. In order to get the needed Calcium injections she had to see an Endocrinologist for the shots. It was discovered that she had a lump/mass on her right Parathyroid.

She then had surgery this year to remove the lump. It was successful & slowly the bones will grow & thicken.

Presently she needs Iron Infusions, as her hair is coming out and her kidney counts are low.

Bobbi is now preparing for her spinal surgery this week. With her bones growing but still weak, this will be an approximately 11-hour surgery.

The surgery and rehab will be at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, CA.

Anything you can give will help tremendously. Thank you!