Help Judy's Recovery and Bring Her Home

Dear friends and family,

On Saturday, August 10, 2024, a horrible tragedy happened during our family vacation while on a UK cruise with my wife Lauren, her mom Judy, and my parents. Lauren’s mom suffered a medical emergency while on a cruise ship at sea. She required immediate helicopter evacuation from the ship and was flown to the closest land hospital in the south of England. At that time, it was determined she had had a hemorrhagic stroke, or brain bleed. Due to her criticality, she was transferred again to another hospital with appropriate capabilities and has remained in the Neuro ICU at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, UK. Lauren debarked the ship as soon as she was allowed at our first port which was in Cobh, Ireland on Sunday in order to get to her mom. She has been by Judy’s bedside since. Through strength, prayers, resilience, love and sheer determination, we will bring Judy home. We just don’t know when that will be. It has only been one week, but each moment feels like an eternity.

There are so many variables that complicate this entire ordeal. Thankfully Lauren has encountered so many wonderful and kind people during this scary journey. We are taking things day by day.

Judy is such a strong, vivacious and spicy woman! She will pull through but may have a new “norm” when we bring her home finally. Unfortunately, we cannot predict the future and as we learn more, it appears this will be a long marathon and not a sprint to return her and Lauren back home.

Lauren and I are both very private people, but at this critical time, we have accepted to put our fears and thoughts aside to ask for any help. That could come in the form of thoughts, well wishes, prayers, and any sort of monetary donation that will help relieve the pressure of mounting costs.

Working as an Emergency medicine PA for over 8 years, I have spent countless hours caring for any and everyone as though they were my own family members. Lauren and I are so scared as to what our future will be. The answers are just not coming quick enough. But they will in time. It is time for me to be humble and ask for any assistance possible. We all know how much Judy is loved as the calls and messages keep pouring in. We have such an amazing support system in all of our family and friends. And we are reminded daily of strangers who care as well.

Any donations will go towards Judy’s medical expenses and the cost for Lauren to live in Plymouth while caring for her mom.

Judy’s primary insurance is Medicare which covers zero dollars internationally. She did buy a travel Insurance policy, but the coverage is not sufficient to cover expenses already incurred within this first week.

Other expected costs we are facing include: helicopter evacuation fees, Neuro ICU fees, Neurosurgical costs, return home costs, and loss of wages as Lauren will probably not be returning to work in September, but will remain at bedside with Judy in England until we can safely bring her home. Lauren is currently staying in a hotel for people who have loved ones in the hospital. We have accommodations set up through September and further if needed.

Help us care for Judy! Help us bring her home as soon as we can! And please, pray and send positive thoughts for Judy’s healing and strength.