Help Jackie Get Help!
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“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
– John Holmes
Can you imagine how it feels be stuck inside a body that is too sick to allow you to support yourself? Imagine you have no spouse and you are relying on disability and the help of family and friends to get by. You need your third parathyroid surgery because your local doctor mishandled your first surgery but your insurance limits your choices and the local doctor is unwilling to help you fix the problem he helped create because that would mean he would have to admit his mistake.
You are literally stuck inside a body that is malfunctioning.
This is the life of my amazing sister, Jackie Bilder. She was once an eternal optimist but years of illness are stealing that from her. I feel sad, mad and scared that I am creating this fundraiser. I can only imagine how she feels. She is one of the strongest people I know and parathyroid disease is slowly taking her away, piece by piece.
She's not just battling hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) but other endocrine problems too like hyperaldosterone and hypercortisol. Her local endocrinologist is working with her on the adrenal issues she is having; however, It seems her only viable option to treat her PHPT is to get back to the parathyroid surgeon who performed her second PTHx surgery who is located in California. (She traveled to Tampa Florida to before she ultimately saw the doctor in California. The Florida doctor refused surgery because her scan was negative so a return trip to Florida is now out of the question.).
For those who don't know, your parathyroid glands regulate the amount of calcium in your blood. Your serum calcium level (either too high or too low) will affect all of the systems of your body. In addition, her parathyroid problem went undiagnosed for many years and has caused damage to her bones and several organs in her body.
A desperate problem that Jackie is having is that her arteries are becoming blocked due to excess calcium. We are now at a critical point. She's had several procedures already to fix the blockages in her legs and her heart but the calcium continues to build up and this is why she needs surgery ASAP. Her anxiety and depression are affecting her cognitive abilities. At times, she can barely walk.
She's had a lumbar 4 tier fusion, both feet operated on, a complete hysterectomy and thyroid cancer.
She has been unable to work, since she has fought one health issue after another. Living on disability isn't much. All of her savings have been depleted for medical purposes. These things are very personal and it is sad to see that prolonged illness has led her to this point.
The cost of airfare to California is approximately $450 and a hotel for three nights is $600. Food and transportation will be approximately $150. Based on her previous surgery in California, she will need to pay $5000. She does not have information yet as to how she will pay or how much she will need to pay with the doctor in California but I will update the amount once we get confirmation from them on the cost. She has not been able to secure a surgery date yet since funds are needed.
I know times are tough so please give only if you can afford to. Any amount is appreciated. My family and I have been trying to do all we can to get our sister, daughter, mom, aunt and friend back but we can only do so much. Your act of kindness will mean so much to all of us but most of all -- to Jackie!
Thank you so much!
Denise
– John Holmes
Can you imagine how it feels be stuck inside a body that is too sick to allow you to support yourself? Imagine you have no spouse and you are relying on disability and the help of family and friends to get by. You need your third parathyroid surgery because your local doctor mishandled your first surgery but your insurance limits your choices and the local doctor is unwilling to help you fix the problem he helped create because that would mean he would have to admit his mistake.
You are literally stuck inside a body that is malfunctioning.
This is the life of my amazing sister, Jackie Bilder. She was once an eternal optimist but years of illness are stealing that from her. I feel sad, mad and scared that I am creating this fundraiser. I can only imagine how she feels. She is one of the strongest people I know and parathyroid disease is slowly taking her away, piece by piece.
She's not just battling hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) but other endocrine problems too like hyperaldosterone and hypercortisol. Her local endocrinologist is working with her on the adrenal issues she is having; however, It seems her only viable option to treat her PHPT is to get back to the parathyroid surgeon who performed her second PTHx surgery who is located in California. (She traveled to Tampa Florida to before she ultimately saw the doctor in California. The Florida doctor refused surgery because her scan was negative so a return trip to Florida is now out of the question.).
For those who don't know, your parathyroid glands regulate the amount of calcium in your blood. Your serum calcium level (either too high or too low) will affect all of the systems of your body. In addition, her parathyroid problem went undiagnosed for many years and has caused damage to her bones and several organs in her body.
A desperate problem that Jackie is having is that her arteries are becoming blocked due to excess calcium. We are now at a critical point. She's had several procedures already to fix the blockages in her legs and her heart but the calcium continues to build up and this is why she needs surgery ASAP. Her anxiety and depression are affecting her cognitive abilities. At times, she can barely walk.
She's had a lumbar 4 tier fusion, both feet operated on, a complete hysterectomy and thyroid cancer.
She has been unable to work, since she has fought one health issue after another. Living on disability isn't much. All of her savings have been depleted for medical purposes. These things are very personal and it is sad to see that prolonged illness has led her to this point.
The cost of airfare to California is approximately $450 and a hotel for three nights is $600. Food and transportation will be approximately $150. Based on her previous surgery in California, she will need to pay $5000. She does not have information yet as to how she will pay or how much she will need to pay with the doctor in California but I will update the amount once we get confirmation from them on the cost. She has not been able to secure a surgery date yet since funds are needed.
I know times are tough so please give only if you can afford to. Any amount is appreciated. My family and I have been trying to do all we can to get our sister, daughter, mom, aunt and friend back but we can only do so much. Your act of kindness will mean so much to all of us but most of all -- to Jackie!
Thank you so much!
Denise
Organizer and beneficiary
Jackie Bilder
Organizer
Morton, PA
jackie bilder
Beneficiary
