Help Cori Overcome Current and Continuing Medical Debt

Family and Friends,

Warning, sharing my story is long overdue so this is lengthy. You may want to grab a cup of coffee, a beer, or beverage of your choice. I’m going to attempt a short version but it’s so much. I have wanted to let everyone know of my serious health issues I’ve been dealing with the past couple years however it’s depressing, personal, and extremely hard for me, to talk about. Unfortunately, things have gone from bad to worse and I’ve decided (some enticement as well) it’s time for me swallow my pride and share. Many of you have reached out via text, email, phone calls etc noticing I was absent (or as some said “MIA” ) from social media for extended periods of time and I apologize to everyone of you, but I was either in the hospital or just way too sick to respond so please forgive me and know I appreciate all of you.

Many of you know over the years I have dealt with stomach issues. Approximately two years ago is when things started to get worse. I went to one of the larger hospitals in Myrtle Beach. A reminder to many and for some that may not have known 5 years ago after becoming empty nesters Rick and I sold our home in MD and moved to SC to be closer to family and escape the cold weather. Rick works remote and the move allowed us to pay off the remainder of medical bills incurred from his Prostate Cancer (which thank God is in remission). We decided to rent which would give us the opportunity to promptly return home to MD in the event the move didn’t work out for us. As many people know it has definitely been a struggle for me being so far from all of our other family and friends back home. Obviously plans to move back home have been put on the back burner for now, not only because of my current medical issues, but we have 2 daughters who not long after we moved also made the move here, each gave us our amazing grandchildren, and they both have great careers here, and are both engaged! Ideally once we get through my nightmare health issues and back on our feet our goal is to be snowbirds and enjoy being with our tribe up North in Spring and Summer and our tribe here in the South Fall and Winter. Getting back to the hospital in Myrtle Beach, over the course of about 15 months I ended up in the hospital somewhere around 8-10 times. Each time I was admitted and average stay was about a week. Besides the regular blood tests I had been through every GI tests imaginable, X-rays, MRI’s, Cat scans, Colonoscopies, etc many of them repeatedly. I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis, among a few other things. Now here’s the kicker; our health insurance stinks! It covers 60%. So imagine just thus far, the numerous hospital stays, testing, medications, follow up with Primary doc and GI doc, and I haven’t even gotten to the worst part yet. Jumping ahead now to 10 months ago, I’m still sick, spending most of my time in the bathroom, the weight has continued to fall off, I’m weak, tired, and in almost constant pain. Most days I’m in bed with the heating pad. At this point I had several people local here in SC including family and my daughter Lindsay (nurse) recommend that I see a doctor/surgeon that works out of a smaller hospital and actually closer to where we live in Little River. I was told that he’s amazing and I should have him look at my case that he would get to the bottom of what is going on. I scheduled an appointment with him for about 3 weeks out. About a week after scheduling that appt Rick ran to the store one day. I went into the bathroom and suddenly felt light headed like I was going to pass out. The next thing I remember is laying on our bedroom floor with Rick leaning over me saying “Honey wake up” repeatedly while he’s on the phone with 911 and I was going in and out of consciousness. I don’t remember much more of that day but obviously I ended up in the ER, and thankfully at the hospital the surgeon works out of that I was scheduled to see. My family informed the ER doc and asked if they could get a message to him letting him know that I was there. Well, I have to tell you this doctor was everything that everyone who referred him said he was and much more! He is Amazing, and saved my life! He came to the ER to meet me, I was admitted and he completely took charge meeting with a team of GI doctors, hospitalist, OR, ICU, and tons more coordinating a plan. I ended up being in the hospital for 60 days straight, exactly two months and close to half of those 60 days I was in ICU. Again I went through tons of tests and procedures. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and found Gastrointestinal Perforation (a hole in my stomach). The doctors met in my room with my family and I explaining I needed surgery ASAP or I was going to die. They discussed how the surgery would go and I would come out of surgery assuming all went well with a stoma in place and I would have an Ostomy bag. The hope was after 6-9 months and allowing my body to rest and recover doctors would then go back in and do a reversal so I could get rid of the bag and be back to living a somewhat normal life. I was completely devastated by this news and I think I went through every emotion there is. I didn’t want to have to live that way. Many of you know of my relationship with Father Whatley and how he has been instrumental in my life since way back to when I was just 6 years old at Trinity. He’s been there for me and my family through many hardships but also many happy times as well. Although he retired he’s still active for many families, Trinity, St. Marks and more. I was able to speak to him while laying in my hospital bed and even from 8 hours away he still brings me calm and comfort and always knows what to say. After shedding many tears and several prayers with him I agreed that I needed to head for the OR. In those 60 days at the hospital I almost died several times, I had 5 blood transfusions, so many IV’s, drains, PICC Line, feeding tube and more. When I was finally discharged from the hospital I weighed 94 pounds. I had to learn to walk again, I had Physical Therapy and Nurses coming to the house 4 days a week in the beginning, I was walking with a walker, my husband and I had to learn how to change my Ostomy bag every few days, as well as empty it numerous times a day. So much more, but have to move on. I have had Covid 3 times since my surgery, I don’t go out very much because my Immune System is so compromised it’s easy for me to get sick. I also wasn’t going out much because I had lost almost all of my hair. I was told that could have been from the Covid and some with such a compromised system have experienced that as a side effects, but of course could also simply be from the surgery, stress, and everything my body has been through! The good news is, I’ve been taking medication and my hair has been growing back slowly but surely. The top and sides the most so to look at me from the front you can no longer tell I had lost it, the back is coming in good with the exception of some patchy spots and the length. There’s definitely some light at the end of that tunnel. Moving on, for the past couple months I was anxiously awaiting for the appointment scheduled with my awesome wonderful surgeon on August 6th to discuss the possibility of the Reversal Surgery. I told Rick and the very few that know everything that I was trying not to get to hyped up and excited that while I wished I could say to the doctor “Can we do this tomorrow” I know that some tests are going to need to be done prior and remember him saying that having healthy scar tissue is needed in order among other things for this surgery to be successful. Unfortunately, that appointment went nothing like we expected and once again I was hit with another huge blow. When Doc walked in the room we were excited to see him and first had some friendly chit chat about our children and grandchildren and then I asked him how soon he thought he could do my surgery so I could get rid of this bag? He looked a little surprised at first but quickly realized that some conversations he had with us after my surgery and when still in the hospital were either not heard and/or not fully understood which wasn’t surprising because of so much we went through in those 60 days both before and after my surgery. And again, I really only remember about half of those days as I was either sedated or half out of it being on such strong pain meds. And for Rick it was such a whirlwind of upset and concern. He went on to say that he would not be the doctor able to perform that surgery, reminding us that he is a general surgeon and not qualified for what I need, nor was there one in our immediate area. He also reiterated that there is only a small piece of my Colon left and reminded us of how extremely sick I was and that there were many times that he himself was scared to death that they were going to lose me and it being a time he thought he would never be standing there in front of me having this conversation and me having the chance to talk about my grandchildren. At this point the tears are streaming down my face, (as they are now and have been for the past week and a half). The appointment ended with him referring me to a Colorectal Specialist Surgeon who is located in Charleston which is approximately a 2 hour drive for us. His opinion is that this Surgeon is highly qualified, he’s the best of the best, and if he had a family member diagnosed with my condition this is the doctor he would want treating them. I have a consult appointment scheduled for Sept 12th. I also now know that I will be needing surgery either way, that if I am unable to have the reversal I will then need a permanent stoma in place. After receiving this devastating info I needed another call to Father Whatley. Again after many tears and praying, he always gives great advice, guidance, and encouragement. I was reminded that over the last 25 years Rick and I have not only been able to give generous gifts for occasions, but we were able to financially help others giving thousands of dollars without hesitation again because we were able to help. It’s hard when you’re used to being a take charge person and used to taking care of everyone else to suddenly have to change your role, and step back when stricken with a Chronic Illness or Tragedy. With our Insurance covering only 60% and there’s so many expenses besides the hospital bills, the medications, my supplies for my Ostomy that I have to order twice a month (and if you don’t pay, they don’t ship), copays, follow ups, numerous different doctors that may only spend 5 minutes in your hospital room, we are already over 200k in debt that we’re responsible for after our insurance has paid their portion and we need some help. Now we will have travel expenses going back and forth to Charleston. I feel guilt because here is my amazing husband now 62 years old and should be thinking about retirement and will probably have to work well into his 70’s. As stated earlier I have agreed to swallow my pride, share my story, and open a Go Fund Me because we do need some help. There is no donation to small, they all add up! We also have Zelle for those who asked, if you prefer that method feel free to private message or email me for that info. (My cell number if you have it) I had a friend say they so wished they could help me but unable to do so financially at this time. I realize times are tough for many but you can still help by praying for me, and sharing my Go Fund Me. That would be a huge help, I need lots of prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for any help whether a donation or prayers!! My goal is to stay strong and fight through this nightmare and get back to being healthy and in a place where I can help others again. In the meantime I’ll keep Father Whatley on speed dial. We made a plan that by next Spring I’ll be better, and able to travel home to MD and have some good MD seafood for lunch. I’ll rent a Pavilion in Patapsco State Park and everyone will be invited for a celebration. I’ll post updates on my journey as they come and promise they won’t be near as long as this one! Remember this post is cramming in over 2 years of info. Much love to all!! Cori (And Rick).