Caidy's Medical Fund
Donation protected
The morning of February 6th, Carol (Caidy) woke up having numbness and jerking in her left arm. She knew something wasn't right. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital where it was determined she had had a minor stroke then she experienced multiple seizures and was admitted into ICU. Finally with medication helping they were under control so we thought. She has had around the clock nurses sitting by her side because of the confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, and agitation she started to develop along with insomnia. Both her husband Ron and Brian (only child), have been taking turns staying with her throughout the day and night to keep her as calm as they can. It's been a real struggle for them to see her this way. With her quickly disintegrating health, Ron is unable to take care of her in their home.
On Friday, March 10th, after multiple tests, the doctors told us they have come to the conclusion she has Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and less then 6 months to live with this diagnosis. This is a very rare disease as one in a million is diagnosed with it. All the symptoms of this disease are present in Caidy, which makes this all the harder to adjust too. We were in shock! With the symptoms coming on so quickly, it is believed she has the sporadic (most classic form that is present in older adults) then other known forms of CJD. As the disease progresses, mental symptoms worsen. Most people eventually lapse into a coma. Heart failure, respiratory failure, pneumonia or other infections are generally the cause of death. Death usually occurs within a year. The likelihood of Caidy coming home is slim to none; therefore, round the clock medical care will be needed.
With high medical costs along with transpiration too and from the hospital daily (60 miles) the expenses are adding up quickly! This unexpected diagnosis has really created not only a hardship for their 53+ marriage but the additional costs to care for Caidy in her last day’s increases the pain exponentially.
They do not have any investments such as 401k or company pensions to fall back on for retirement or unexpected medical cost such as what they are running into. Ron and Caidy ran a small business for many years and both have had to continue working part time in their 70's just to make ends meet. Ten years ago, their only son, Brian, had a brain tumor and stroke that completely disabled him. They not only physically took care of him but also exhausted their finances by taking care of his medical needs too.
The funds coming in would go directly to pay for costs that occur outside of what Medicare pays for such as medications and transportation costs and this would be needed right away.
She first went into the hospital on February 6th, 2017.
This situation is urgent as the additional bills are starting to come in and in addition, Ron has not worked at his part time job so he could take care of Caidy, his wife since Feb when she went in.
Other help needs: Prayer and lots of it! We need a miracle.
On Friday, March 10th, after multiple tests, the doctors told us they have come to the conclusion she has Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and less then 6 months to live with this diagnosis. This is a very rare disease as one in a million is diagnosed with it. All the symptoms of this disease are present in Caidy, which makes this all the harder to adjust too. We were in shock! With the symptoms coming on so quickly, it is believed she has the sporadic (most classic form that is present in older adults) then other known forms of CJD. As the disease progresses, mental symptoms worsen. Most people eventually lapse into a coma. Heart failure, respiratory failure, pneumonia or other infections are generally the cause of death. Death usually occurs within a year. The likelihood of Caidy coming home is slim to none; therefore, round the clock medical care will be needed.
With high medical costs along with transpiration too and from the hospital daily (60 miles) the expenses are adding up quickly! This unexpected diagnosis has really created not only a hardship for their 53+ marriage but the additional costs to care for Caidy in her last day’s increases the pain exponentially.
They do not have any investments such as 401k or company pensions to fall back on for retirement or unexpected medical cost such as what they are running into. Ron and Caidy ran a small business for many years and both have had to continue working part time in their 70's just to make ends meet. Ten years ago, their only son, Brian, had a brain tumor and stroke that completely disabled him. They not only physically took care of him but also exhausted their finances by taking care of his medical needs too.
The funds coming in would go directly to pay for costs that occur outside of what Medicare pays for such as medications and transportation costs and this would be needed right away.
She first went into the hospital on February 6th, 2017.
This situation is urgent as the additional bills are starting to come in and in addition, Ron has not worked at his part time job so he could take care of Caidy, his wife since Feb when she went in.
Other help needs: Prayer and lots of it! We need a miracle.
Organizer and beneficiary
Wendy Borofka Menk
Organizer
Paynesville, MN
Ron Menk
Beneficiary