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Help Melissa relearn how to live her Life Again

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My name is Casey. I am a lifelong friend of Melissa Caldwell and her husband Jacky Hooks. Many people know Melissa from her time as a cook at LakeView Restaurant and, more recently, as the assistant manager at Cockerhams in Fancy Gap, VA. Anyone who knows her, knows that Melissa is dedicated to helping those in need and is a dedicated and hard worker. Sadly, her life came to a screeching halt on March 23, 2022 due to a severe stroke.

Leading up to her stroke, Melissa was experiencing severe headaches, then on Wednesday, March 23, she had a headache like she had never had before and felt the left side of her face go numb. Once she arrived at urgent care her vision started to go and her left leg lost movement. They rushed her to Twin County Regional Hospital. They found her carotid artery completely blocked. Aircare was not able to fly her out due to severe weather conditions. EMS had to transport her to Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC, delaying treatment.

Once Melissa arrived at Forsyth she was rushed into surgery. The surgeon tried to avoid putting stents in, but due to not placing stents in the first surgery she had to be rushed back into surgery the next day where she received 2 stents, somewhere during this time delay she suffered severe stroke.

At only 36 years old, Melissa will need extensive restorative therapy that is not covered by her medical insurance. This restorative therapy will help to regain her movement. Currently, she is left unable to move/lift her left leg and has limited mobility in her left arm. When she is eventually discharged from Forsyth she will be discharged to a skilled nursing facility so that she can receive around the clock care and therapies to relearn how to walk and her daily life skills. This stroke is made worse by the fact that Melissa had already been unable to work following 3 back surgeries in 2021. She was just now getting her life back and loved her job!

Melissa is strong and has lots of love encouraging her through this. But as with any tragic event, there is the financial burden that it brings. I ask that if you are able to donate what you can to help Melissa and Jacky with the medical expenses and the gas that is used for Jacky and loved ones to visit Melissa as she goes through this difficult time. Any help would be such a blessing!

Please share this with others who know Melissa. Or would like to help contribute to gaining her life back!

Thank you and much love for your support.

Organizer

Casey Horton
Organizer
Hillsville, VA

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