For over 12 years, my mom, Kathy Jo, has faced complications related to diverticulitis. In that time, she’s endured countless hospital admissions, an emergency colostomy surgery in January 2025, and a miraculous comeback after four months of recovery. By September 2025, she had healed enough for a reversal, but what was meant to be a step forward became another challenge. Instead of a full reversal, she required a temporary ileostomy to give her bowel more time to heal. This led to short gut syndrome, where her body loses nutrients and fluids faster than it can absorb them. As a result, she became severely malnourished and dehydrated, which put immense stress on her digestive system. The strain caused a leak around her healing bowel, leading to multiple bouts of sepsis, electrolyte imbalances, shock, anemia, and organ damage. Despite all of this, Kathy Jo has never given up. She faces each setback with courage and determination, and I admire her strength every day.
We’re now at a tipping point in her recovery. After so many failed discharges, I realized I needed to be by her side at this crucial time. I’ve taken unpaid FMLA to move into rehab with her until we’re stable enough to come home. While I know this is the right thing to do, it has come with significant financial strain. The income lost over the last year, combined with the cost of her care and nutrition, has been overwhelming. We’ve recently reached the point where Medicare only covers part of her rehab, leaving us responsible for a large portion of her daily care until she’s well enough to return home.
One thing that has made a huge difference in her comfort and safety is the PureWick catheter system, which helps prevent complications and keeps her skin healthy. I want to provide this for her during rehab, but it’s an added expense we can’t manage alone. Through every awful admission, we’ve still found the goodness of others. And that’s why I come to lay it all out today. We are in desperate need of the goodness of others right now. Whether it’s a prayer to the universe or the ability to help without harming yourself financially, we need you. Any support you can give will help us buy the medical supplies Kathy Jo needs to stay safe in rehab and come home to heal. We’re so thankful for the kindness and support. It gets us through each day knowing we’re surrounded by love and light.
We’re now at a tipping point in her recovery. After so many failed discharges, I realized I needed to be by her side at this crucial time. I’ve taken unpaid FMLA to move into rehab with her until we’re stable enough to come home. While I know this is the right thing to do, it has come with significant financial strain. The income lost over the last year, combined with the cost of her care and nutrition, has been overwhelming. We’ve recently reached the point where Medicare only covers part of her rehab, leaving us responsible for a large portion of her daily care until she’s well enough to return home.
One thing that has made a huge difference in her comfort and safety is the PureWick catheter system, which helps prevent complications and keeps her skin healthy. I want to provide this for her during rehab, but it’s an added expense we can’t manage alone. Through every awful admission, we’ve still found the goodness of others. And that’s why I come to lay it all out today. We are in desperate need of the goodness of others right now. Whether it’s a prayer to the universe or the ability to help without harming yourself financially, we need you. Any support you can give will help us buy the medical supplies Kathy Jo needs to stay safe in rehab and come home to heal. We’re so thankful for the kindness and support. It gets us through each day knowing we’re surrounded by love and light.