Get Robert Smith back to Florida
Donation protected
I'm writing this as I sit with my father at a Carolinas HealthCare System hospital in the Charlotte North Carolina area. This journey all started the evening of Wednesday Sept. 6th when we decided to evacuate from our hometown due to hurricane Irma making its way to Florida. At approximately 4AM on Sunday Sept. 10th my father Robert Smith lost his balance and fell to the bathroom floor at our hotel. He sustained 4 broken ribs, has a slight case of pneumonia, not very alert, and barely opens his eyes. After 3 days of normal care his oxygen levels started to decline. He was then placed on Oxygen and moved to Step Down ICU where he remains in their care. He unfortunately is not healthy enough to be transported back home by us, either in a car or by plane. A helicopter transport may be the only option, and would cost thousands of dollars.
After driving my wife, sister, and kids back to Florida this past Wednesday I returned to Charlotte N.C. to be by my Dad's side during this time. My mom and I are currently stuck in Charlotte with barely enough money to survive on. With my mom and I missing work we are draining our bank accounts just to pay for a hotel to stay in while my dad is in Step Down ICU. We're not sure how we will pay for this, but we know GOD will provide everything we need. We continue to pray all day everyday.
Since Sept. 16 he started coughing up quite a bit of fluids from his lungs. The staff had to suction it out while we were there but things have not changed much. We sure hope the antibiotics help him fight this. He is constantly being medicated for the pain which makes him sleep more. There is no telling how well he is since he only says a few words at this point. Wow, ouch, water, Yes and No. I feel like his mental and physically health is declining by the day.
By the end of the day on Sunday Sept. 17 he was just using Wow and Yo. The level of communication that was there just a few days back is just a thing of the past. We continue to pray and ask that everyone prays for my dad, Robert Smith. The time with him at this point is spent making sure he is as comfortable as can be while going down this tough road.
On Monday, Sept. 18 we will be demanding his transport to a local hospital back home in Florida. We are currently not sure about the cost of a transport or if insurance will even cover it. This has to be the most stressful situation I have ever endured.
Just wishing we could bring him home at this point. I continue to ask that GOD provides blessings to our family during this time of need.
This was very difficult to write and has taken me days to do it just hoping I wouldn't have to post it. Some of you already know what's going on and others are finding out now. I'm just so lost right now knowing I may have already had the last conversation with my dad.
We are raising money to cover the cost of our hotel, daily expenses, lost wages, and the biggest goal of all, a specialized medical transport to get Robert Smith back home to Florida. As of right now we don't have money to pay for any new expenses that may come up. Everything is being put on credit cards just to get by. Our loss of income and expenses are $3,000+ a week.
UPDATE: Since this post was created my father was moved to Hospice of Monroe where he passed 2 days later. The funeral is upon us and we wanted to thank everyone for the show of kindness and love in this time of need. We continue to collect funds but we wanted to lower our goal slightly when we find out the total costs of the funeral and transport.
After driving my wife, sister, and kids back to Florida this past Wednesday I returned to Charlotte N.C. to be by my Dad's side during this time. My mom and I are currently stuck in Charlotte with barely enough money to survive on. With my mom and I missing work we are draining our bank accounts just to pay for a hotel to stay in while my dad is in Step Down ICU. We're not sure how we will pay for this, but we know GOD will provide everything we need. We continue to pray all day everyday.
Since Sept. 16 he started coughing up quite a bit of fluids from his lungs. The staff had to suction it out while we were there but things have not changed much. We sure hope the antibiotics help him fight this. He is constantly being medicated for the pain which makes him sleep more. There is no telling how well he is since he only says a few words at this point. Wow, ouch, water, Yes and No. I feel like his mental and physically health is declining by the day.
By the end of the day on Sunday Sept. 17 he was just using Wow and Yo. The level of communication that was there just a few days back is just a thing of the past. We continue to pray and ask that everyone prays for my dad, Robert Smith. The time with him at this point is spent making sure he is as comfortable as can be while going down this tough road.
On Monday, Sept. 18 we will be demanding his transport to a local hospital back home in Florida. We are currently not sure about the cost of a transport or if insurance will even cover it. This has to be the most stressful situation I have ever endured.
Just wishing we could bring him home at this point. I continue to ask that GOD provides blessings to our family during this time of need.
This was very difficult to write and has taken me days to do it just hoping I wouldn't have to post it. Some of you already know what's going on and others are finding out now. I'm just so lost right now knowing I may have already had the last conversation with my dad.
We are raising money to cover the cost of our hotel, daily expenses, lost wages, and the biggest goal of all, a specialized medical transport to get Robert Smith back home to Florida. As of right now we don't have money to pay for any new expenses that may come up. Everything is being put on credit cards just to get by. Our loss of income and expenses are $3,000+ a week.
UPDATE: Since this post was created my father was moved to Hospice of Monroe where he passed 2 days later. The funeral is upon us and we wanted to thank everyone for the show of kindness and love in this time of need. We continue to collect funds but we wanted to lower our goal slightly when we find out the total costs of the funeral and transport.
Organizer
Jason Smith
Organizer
Fort Lauderdale, FL
