UPDATE: Gregory Lay Medical & Cremation Expenses

UPDATE:

Gregory Lay passed away on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 7:20am….About the same time that the clouds over the mountain turned a soft shade of pink.

Please consider helping his wife Cynthia and his family cover the costs of the last 3 months of hospital care and the cremation expenses. Your generosity is sincerely appreciated. Thank you.

On July 22, 2024 the lives of my sister Cynthia and her husband, Gregory were drastically changed forever. Gregory was rushed to the hospital with severe pain and swelling in his right leg. What began as an alarming situation quickly escalated into a series of life-threatening complications. Doctors discovered multiple blood clots in his right leg and an aneurysm behind his right knee.

Over the course of 36 days, Gregory underwent six surgeries in an attempt to save his leg. SIX times, he was intubated and underwent heavy sedation. During one of the surgeries, he had a fasciotomy — a procedure where doctors made deep, 8-inch vertical cuts into the muscles on both sides of his leg to alleviate significant swelling and prevent further muscle damage. Despite these extreme measures and the dedication of the medical team, Gregory’s leg could not be saved, and the difficult decision was made to amputate.

After 36 days of fighting for his leg, Gregory moved into a rehab center, but after only two weeks, he became dangerously ill due to dehydration and a lack of nutrients. His mental & physical condition worsened rapidly, and he was taken back to the emergency room on September 9th. He then spent another two weeks in the hospital recovering from this severe setback.

To complicate matters, Gregory has also developed blood clots in his left leg, adding more challenges to his already difficult recovery. And, if that’s not enough, a recent MRI indicated that Gregory also has advanced Hydrocephalus, which is affecting his mental capacity.

Gregory is currently staying in a rehab center, where he is working with physical and occupational therapists to strengthen his arm, leg, and torso muscles. Once he is stronger, he will begin learning how to maneuver back-and-forth between his bed and wheelchair and eventually how to use a prosthetic leg. He is also working with a speech therapist, as he lost the ability to speak and swallow during this grueling ordeal.

While it’s been fortunate that Gregory’s Medicare plan has been covering a large percentage of the medical costs during these last two months, the full-coverage on his participation in the rehab program is about to run out. After October 14th, it will cost $155 PER DAY for him to continue receiving the care and rehab therapy he so desperately needs. Bringing him home is a last-resort option, as Gregory currently requires a high level of personal care, feeding, bathing, and attention on a daily basis.

Throughout all this time, Cynthia, Gregory’s wife, has been spending 10-12 hours a day at the hospital & rehab center, helping to feed, clothe, and care for him. This has resulted in significant business loss and project delays, leaving the family without any income during this incredibly challenging time. All savings has been depleted. And, at this point, it feels like there’s no end in sight.

Our family is reaching out to our communities for help to cover Gregory’s ongoing care expenses and ensure that he can continue his rehabilitation in a professional facility. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference in helping Gregory receive the treatment he needs to regain his independence.

Thank you, in advance, for your generosity and support as Gregory continues on this long road to recovery.