Susan's Medical Fund
Donation protected
Fall/Winter 2019 UPDATE:
As some of you know, around Thanksgiving, Susan contracted an illness that eventually morphed into full blown pneumonia. Because her immune system is virtually non-existent, any virus can be deadly for her. The first antibiotic didn't work, the second one caused a severe reaction and she's currently on the third one. It seems to be working but she is still very ill and very, very weak. With the plethora of medical conditions she has, an illness like this is not only extremely hard to navigate but takes a lot out of her physically and mentally. She has a long road to recovery ahead.
She has been in and out of the emergency room, to dr appts, etc. and of course, Ken has been right by her side. But in order for him to care for her, he's had to miss a lot of work. When you live paycheck to paycheck, any time off adds to the financial strain, especially this time of year. Any help is extremely appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and please continue to send healing vibes her way, whenever you think about her.
UPDATE:
As those of you who are friends with Susan know, this has been an extremely difficult winter for her. She has continued to have extreme histamine reactions which have taken a toll on her body. In an effort to stem them, her doctors put her on some extreme medications that have, in turn, made her violently ill. They are running out of options to try on her, except for even harsher drugs, that not only will her body not tolerate, but there are also no guarantees they'll help.
Being so constantly ill with no end in sight has truly taken a toll on her mentally and physically. She is about the strongest person I've ever known but everyone has a breaking point. The financial burden adds an extra strain. For a family who lives paycheck to paycheck, Ken having to miss hours or days of work for doctor appointments and/or to care for her, makes it difficult for them to make ends meet and pay their bills. This just adds another level of stress to an already stressful situation.
I know some of you have given time and again, and I, and they, appreciate it. Thank you for taking the time to read, give and for all the love you send Susan's way. <3
UPDATE:
A few days ago Susan had another Mast Cell Episode that spiraled into Anaphylaxis. This resulted in an ambulance ride to the hospital as her airways constricted, her blood pressure plummeted and her intestines cramped violently. After some complications, they were able to get her vitals back to normal and she was allowed to go home. The doctors are still stymied as to what causes these attacks but her kidneys take damage during every one because of the massive amount of mast cells flooding her system. This would be a scary situation for anyone but when it's coupled with her myriad other physical issues, it becomes more and more life threatening.
This has been an especially difficult time for Ken and Susan because Ken recently injured his back and that has slowed him down quite a bit. He's been trying to work but when you live paycheck-to-paycheck, even a day of missed work puts a strain on the finances. Along with that, Susan has to eat a special low-histamine diet to help keep her mast cells down, and that puts an added strain on their budget.
With the holidays coming up, I thought there might be some that would like me to reopen this fund as a convenient way of sending them a gift. Thank you for reading and for sending them good thoughts. I know they appreciate each and every one. We all get by with a little help from our friends.
A bit over a year ago, Susan suffered a stroke in an artery to her brain, combining not only the effects of a stroke but also of a massive brain injury. Since then she has undergone rigorous therapy and has fought hard to get some semblance of her life back. Although she's made tremendous strides, the last couple of months have been especially difficult for her.
Weeks ago, Susan contracted an influenza virus and then pneumonia as well and these illnesses have caused flares in a pre-existing condition she has. Her body's immune system is very compromised so it's taken all she has to fight this double whammy. During this time she's been informed that Medicare will no longer cover some of her meds and her Dr. is also recommending some treatments that her insurance won't cover.
I know some of you have asked how to help make things a little easier for her right now. The express purpose of this campaign is to help defray the cost of medical expenses that Medicare isn't covering so that she can have what she needs to get back on her feet. Thank you all for taking the time to read and for any help you're able to give. <3
As some of you know, around Thanksgiving, Susan contracted an illness that eventually morphed into full blown pneumonia. Because her immune system is virtually non-existent, any virus can be deadly for her. The first antibiotic didn't work, the second one caused a severe reaction and she's currently on the third one. It seems to be working but she is still very ill and very, very weak. With the plethora of medical conditions she has, an illness like this is not only extremely hard to navigate but takes a lot out of her physically and mentally. She has a long road to recovery ahead.
She has been in and out of the emergency room, to dr appts, etc. and of course, Ken has been right by her side. But in order for him to care for her, he's had to miss a lot of work. When you live paycheck to paycheck, any time off adds to the financial strain, especially this time of year. Any help is extremely appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and please continue to send healing vibes her way, whenever you think about her.
UPDATE:
As those of you who are friends with Susan know, this has been an extremely difficult winter for her. She has continued to have extreme histamine reactions which have taken a toll on her body. In an effort to stem them, her doctors put her on some extreme medications that have, in turn, made her violently ill. They are running out of options to try on her, except for even harsher drugs, that not only will her body not tolerate, but there are also no guarantees they'll help.
Being so constantly ill with no end in sight has truly taken a toll on her mentally and physically. She is about the strongest person I've ever known but everyone has a breaking point. The financial burden adds an extra strain. For a family who lives paycheck to paycheck, Ken having to miss hours or days of work for doctor appointments and/or to care for her, makes it difficult for them to make ends meet and pay their bills. This just adds another level of stress to an already stressful situation.
I know some of you have given time and again, and I, and they, appreciate it. Thank you for taking the time to read, give and for all the love you send Susan's way. <3
UPDATE:
A few days ago Susan had another Mast Cell Episode that spiraled into Anaphylaxis. This resulted in an ambulance ride to the hospital as her airways constricted, her blood pressure plummeted and her intestines cramped violently. After some complications, they were able to get her vitals back to normal and she was allowed to go home. The doctors are still stymied as to what causes these attacks but her kidneys take damage during every one because of the massive amount of mast cells flooding her system. This would be a scary situation for anyone but when it's coupled with her myriad other physical issues, it becomes more and more life threatening.
This has been an especially difficult time for Ken and Susan because Ken recently injured his back and that has slowed him down quite a bit. He's been trying to work but when you live paycheck-to-paycheck, even a day of missed work puts a strain on the finances. Along with that, Susan has to eat a special low-histamine diet to help keep her mast cells down, and that puts an added strain on their budget.
With the holidays coming up, I thought there might be some that would like me to reopen this fund as a convenient way of sending them a gift. Thank you for reading and for sending them good thoughts. I know they appreciate each and every one. We all get by with a little help from our friends.
A bit over a year ago, Susan suffered a stroke in an artery to her brain, combining not only the effects of a stroke but also of a massive brain injury. Since then she has undergone rigorous therapy and has fought hard to get some semblance of her life back. Although she's made tremendous strides, the last couple of months have been especially difficult for her.
Weeks ago, Susan contracted an influenza virus and then pneumonia as well and these illnesses have caused flares in a pre-existing condition she has. Her body's immune system is very compromised so it's taken all she has to fight this double whammy. During this time she's been informed that Medicare will no longer cover some of her meds and her Dr. is also recommending some treatments that her insurance won't cover.
I know some of you have asked how to help make things a little easier for her right now. The express purpose of this campaign is to help defray the cost of medical expenses that Medicare isn't covering so that she can have what she needs to get back on her feet. Thank you all for taking the time to read and for any help you're able to give. <3
Organizer and beneficiary
Penny Smith
Organizer
Missoula, MT
Susan Ritchey
Beneficiary