The Backstory
On October 7th, Martha Kasovic's husband, Ed, fell 12 feet from the roof of their camper to the pavement below. He was taken by ambulance to the Trauma ICU, and Martha, who was in Colombia at the time on a volunteering trip for KidsFirst, raced home to be at his side. Their younger daughter, Carson, had been home when Ed fell, and their older daughter Kelly flew in from Utah that night to be with her dad.
The news was not good. Ed suffered multiple spinal fractures, a dissection of his carotid artery, and a traumatic brain injury that required an immediate craniotomy. They were fearful he wouldn't make it, but he pulled through. He was at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem for more than two months, several weeks of which were spent in an ICU unit.
Ed's recovery has been very slow and a bit of a roller coaster ride. There are good days and bad - and doctors are still unsure of what lays ahead for him. A few weeks ago, medical personnel started speaking to Martha about moving him into a nursing home – where the focus would not be on rehabilitation. Fortunately, this week, Martha learned that Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) in Charlotte agreed to work with him – they felt it offered him the best chance of regaining mobility and the ability to return home. The facility's agreement to take him meant that Martha and Carson will need to be part of his ongoing treatment and stay in the area – two hours from their home - for a duration of 3 or more weeks.
He was not in Charlotte but 24 hrs when Ed had medical complications that caused him to have to be admitted to the main hospital at CMC rather than rehab so their journey has taken an unforeseen side road.
The Costs
Martha and Ed are so grateful for all of the concern, caring, and helpful offers they have had from co-workers, friends, and loved ones. This account has been created because people have asked how they can assist, and the reality is that this situation has created so many unexpected expenses for the Kasovic family. While they have health insurance through her job, the loss of Ed's self-employed income has created serious financial hardship for the family. Daily parking at the hospital, food, gas, flights for Kelly and her family, etc., are all taking their toll. Martha’s expenses in Charlotte on top of paying a mortgage and bills will be very costly. In thinking about the future, she is hoping that Ed will make enough progress to come home after treatment, but their home will need to be altered to make necessary accommodations and he will need 24/7 care, and it’s unclear how much (if any) of that is covered by insurance. Should he go into a nursing home facility, these expenses will also not be covered. There are also substantial legal fees to help insure he would have the care he needs should something unforeseen happen to Martha.
Over the decades, Ed and Martha have given of themselves to many, many people. This is a wonderful time to give a little something back to them for all they've done for so many people in so many ways.
*update*
Hi everyone Kelly Pressley here (Ed’s daughter). I wanted to give you all an update on my dad. Unfortunately after only being in Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlotte only 24 hrs dad had complications and had to be admitted to the ICU at the main hospital. That was three weeks ago. He had pulmonary embolisms and other complications. We where expecting him to be finishing up rehab and home at this point but now it’s looking like they could be there another four weeks! This has been an unforeseen addition to the expenses that are adding for my mom and sister while they are there with my dad. Your generous donations have allowed them to concentrate on dad and not worry about the costs of living away from home and planning for his return home after rehab. Please if everyone could share this link again to update everyone and to reach those who might not have seen it. Thank you all so much for your donations and for keeping us all in your thoughts and prayers! It has meant so much to our family during this difficult time and holiday season away from home.
Love the Kasovic-Pressley’s
On October 7th, Martha Kasovic's husband, Ed, fell 12 feet from the roof of their camper to the pavement below. He was taken by ambulance to the Trauma ICU, and Martha, who was in Colombia at the time on a volunteering trip for KidsFirst, raced home to be at his side. Their younger daughter, Carson, had been home when Ed fell, and their older daughter Kelly flew in from Utah that night to be with her dad.
The news was not good. Ed suffered multiple spinal fractures, a dissection of his carotid artery, and a traumatic brain injury that required an immediate craniotomy. They were fearful he wouldn't make it, but he pulled through. He was at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem for more than two months, several weeks of which were spent in an ICU unit.
Ed's recovery has been very slow and a bit of a roller coaster ride. There are good days and bad - and doctors are still unsure of what lays ahead for him. A few weeks ago, medical personnel started speaking to Martha about moving him into a nursing home – where the focus would not be on rehabilitation. Fortunately, this week, Martha learned that Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) in Charlotte agreed to work with him – they felt it offered him the best chance of regaining mobility and the ability to return home. The facility's agreement to take him meant that Martha and Carson will need to be part of his ongoing treatment and stay in the area – two hours from their home - for a duration of 3 or more weeks.
He was not in Charlotte but 24 hrs when Ed had medical complications that caused him to have to be admitted to the main hospital at CMC rather than rehab so their journey has taken an unforeseen side road.
The Costs
Martha and Ed are so grateful for all of the concern, caring, and helpful offers they have had from co-workers, friends, and loved ones. This account has been created because people have asked how they can assist, and the reality is that this situation has created so many unexpected expenses for the Kasovic family. While they have health insurance through her job, the loss of Ed's self-employed income has created serious financial hardship for the family. Daily parking at the hospital, food, gas, flights for Kelly and her family, etc., are all taking their toll. Martha’s expenses in Charlotte on top of paying a mortgage and bills will be very costly. In thinking about the future, she is hoping that Ed will make enough progress to come home after treatment, but their home will need to be altered to make necessary accommodations and he will need 24/7 care, and it’s unclear how much (if any) of that is covered by insurance. Should he go into a nursing home facility, these expenses will also not be covered. There are also substantial legal fees to help insure he would have the care he needs should something unforeseen happen to Martha.
Over the decades, Ed and Martha have given of themselves to many, many people. This is a wonderful time to give a little something back to them for all they've done for so many people in so many ways.
*update*
Hi everyone Kelly Pressley here (Ed’s daughter). I wanted to give you all an update on my dad. Unfortunately after only being in Carolinas Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlotte only 24 hrs dad had complications and had to be admitted to the ICU at the main hospital. That was three weeks ago. He had pulmonary embolisms and other complications. We where expecting him to be finishing up rehab and home at this point but now it’s looking like they could be there another four weeks! This has been an unforeseen addition to the expenses that are adding for my mom and sister while they are there with my dad. Your generous donations have allowed them to concentrate on dad and not worry about the costs of living away from home and planning for his return home after rehab. Please if everyone could share this link again to update everyone and to reach those who might not have seen it. Thank you all so much for your donations and for keeping us all in your thoughts and prayers! It has meant so much to our family during this difficult time and holiday season away from home.
Love the Kasovic-Pressley’s
Organizer and beneficiary
Kelly Pressley
Beneficiary