Donate to Elizabeth's Journey Through Health Challenges

My name is Garry, and along with my brother Ryan and our family, we are launching this in support of our mother, Elizabeth “Betsy” Thompson.

On Thanksgiving Eve, she was taken by ambulance to Samaritan Hospital in excruciating pain and with extremely limited mobility. With the limited knowledge of the ER doctors regarding spinal cord issues, a recommendation was made for further treatment with a spinal cord specialist, and she was sent home on meds to await a follow-up with a specialist. Once examined, they found that her spine has deteriorated to where she is at a major risk of it actually snapping. They also found an inflamed tumor on her spine as well.

Insurance has opted not to cover the surgery needed to correct the issue against the spinal specialist team’s judgment, as they (the insurance company) feel with her previous health issues and her age, it will not improve her quality of life. All money raised is going directly to our mom’s account to be used at her discretion.

As she’s been home trying to recover, she began having some breathing discomfort and swelling in her feet. Today (December 16), she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. These setbacks to her underlying health conditions have caused an influx of bills which we have been paying. However, with insurance not covering the surgery and paying partial payments of treatments, we are asking for some help to reduce some costs associated.

If you know my mother, she doesn’t ask for help. She’s been through cancer, heart surgery, and much more and takes it all in stride. But it has come to a time where outside help is needed.