Help MommaCaps (Lori Caputo) with medical & living expenses.

Hello,

My name is KaiseyCaps, and I am Lori’s daughter. I really dislike making these things, but I’m currently at a crossroad. I figured any little bit might help.

My mom has been admitted to the hospital since the evening of February 9th. It has been quite the journey. She’s been moved to about 3 hospitals. I’m hoping her last stop is the current hospital she is at: Rhode Island Hospital.

When she was first admitted my mom was not able to catch her breathe. So, I called 911, and they took her to the hospital. That evening they had her on a breathing machine, and her breathing improved tremendously. She had fluid around her heart and lungs, and continue to treat her for that and monitoring the fluid. They did a lot of other tests, and were not happy about those test results.

It’s been very difficult to keep track of everything going on in her body, because it’s a lot. She has blockage to her heart, she has a damaged (non-working) heart valve. Her blood pressure has been a little low here and there. At some point she also had mini heart attacks - so there is that damage as well. I’m sure I’m forgetting something else that they said.

It’s been an incredibly long waiting game. Originally, she had two procedure options and now I think she only has the one. The two options were either open heart surgery or the “TAVR” procedure which is a lot minor.

As of yesterday, February 18th the surgical team discussed and they were going to go with the minor procedure to fix her heart valve. Then they wanted to put a stent in for her at a later time. They also agreed financially that would also be better for her. The TAVR procedure would keep her out an additional week or two.

This morning, February 19th; I received a call from my mom and it seems like the main doctor changed their mind. They want to go with the full open heart surgery to fix the valve and insert the stent. (I’m not sure what else they’d have to do, again it’s been a lot to keep track of all of it). Needless to say, she was incredibly upset and angry. Who can really blame her?

After she cooled off, the nurse practitioner came in to talk to her about it. Apparently, her heart valve is a lot worse than they expected, and sending her home would essentially be putting her into hospice care.

As Of today, that is where we are at. We still need to talk to the doctor, and if she does the open heart surgery - it’ll be a big recovery. She will be out of work for 3 months. Also, there is a chance she might not survive (with all of the risks).

I’ll be honest, I don’t really know what else to do. I have no idea what is going to happen. All I know is that we need some help. Whatever the outcome will be - it’ll take a big toll on everything.

I made this to help with any of her household expenses/medical. I cannot afford to pay my bills and hers. Also, TDI takes a long time to kick in. This is also here just incase if the worst possible scenario happens.

I will keep everyone updated as best as I can. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

UPDATES:

Update: February 20, 2025

Hello everyone,

This is the current update on my mom.

She will be going forward with the open heart surgery - officially. The doctor took a lot of time with her this morning to go over and explain everything. According to the doctor the open heart surgery will be the better option for her. If you know my mom, or have ever met her. You will know she is incredibly petite, and the “minor” surgery might cause more issues than the open heart. When they do the open heart they will fix the blockage, insert a stent and repair the heart valve.

Once, she has the surgery they will be having her heal in a rehabilitation center because - truthfully I am not able to care for her 24/7 and go to work at the same time. I’ll be honest, I have no idea how to even do that type of care. So, they ensured she will have around the clock care, and we are relieved by that. She will be taken care of during her recovery. This is a big surgery for a littler lady.

We are still worried about risks, and if something bad should happen during it. Those conversations still need to happen and put a plan in order.

Thank you to everyone who has shared or donated. My family and I greatly appreciate the help. This will help cover her living expenses & just incase if something bad should happen.

Update: February 20, 2025 Evening

She will be having open heart surgery Friday, February 21, 2025. I will continue to post updates once I speak with the doctors.

Update: February 21, 2025

The doctor just called me a little while ago. My mom is out of surgery. He said she seemed to of done very well. Her case was still challenging due to her size, (she is a very tiny lady) and the complexity of her condition.

They are moving her to the ICU and they will be monitoring her. They want to do their normal routine after surgery checks to make sure she continues to be okay. The biggest thing is getting her off of the ventilator.

He said we got through the first big hurdle, and now we are onto the next.

Again, thank you everyone for all of the support, kind words, checking in, and your help. We still have a little ways to go but we are on the right path.

Update: February 21, 2025 Evening

My mom is currently off of the ventilator. She does have the oxygen in her nose, but that is normal. She’s doing very well. We were very worried about how long it would take her to do that due to her emphysema. She has an amazing cardiac nurse by her side all day and all evening. She is in great hands.

Her surgeon did come in during my visit with her. He is very happy with how the surgery went. She did not have a stroke during her surgery and he was very happy about that. He is very happy that she is no longer on the ventilator- but wants to make sure she stays off of it. He said the valve was pretty much closed. I’m glad they got to it in time before something bad could have happened.

Overall, she’s doing good. The surgeon is happy with how she’s doing so far. Just remember this is only day one of her recovery. The next two to three days will be crucial for her. She is off to a great start and I’m hoping it only gets better from here.

Thank you to everyone who has followed updates or has gone through family to get some updates. I have a lot on my plate at the moment and it is very hard for me to reach out to every single person. It’s not that I do not want to. I just don’t have enough hands to do so and I have to get things in order for her at the same time.

Update: February 23, 2025

I know I haven’t posted any updates the last couple of days. We don’t really have too much to update on.

Her surgeon came in today to check on her. She’s continuing to do very well, and there hasn’t been any changes. They are just continuing to monitor and care for her.

They do plan to move her to another part of the ICU, which is a very good sign. That may happen within the next couple of days.

If you reach out to her; she does have her cellphone on her. If she does not answer, please do not get nervous or take it personally. She’s in a lot of pain right now. She’s not up for talking on the phone, but feel free to text her and she will reach back out when she is up for it. You might get one word answers, and that’s okay too.

She still has a long recovery but she is on the right path.

Update: February 27, 2025

Good morning everyone,

I haven’t posted any updates because I have been dealing with a very big issue. I have had A LOT thrown at me this week. I’ve been trying to do what I can and figure it all out. I am very fortunate and grateful that I’ve had help from my family. And thank you to my friends who have helped talk me off a ledge.

Current update on my mom, is that she is doing so well they want to send her home. They sprung this on us last minute because I was prepared for her to go to a rehab facility for her recovery. They no longer want to send her there:

1. Because she’s doing too well

2. Her insurance will not cover it (so they say) - if she wants to go there she has to pay out of pocket and we can’t afford that.

As of right now, she will be staying at my aunt and uncles house. (No, she cannot go home I am dealing with a big issue at her apartment). I’m not sure for how long but it will be temporary. She will be having a nurse come in to help take care of her (not sure how often yet). She will still go to a rehab as an out patient and I’m not sure how many times a week they want her to do that.

This was all very sudden, and little to no notice. I work, and my aunt works. So, this is going to be incredibly challenging because I wasn’t prepared for this. I know MTM does transportation if one of us can’t bring her to an appointment- so, I covered that this morning.

We are prepping her to leave the hospital today.

I do want to thank every single person who has helped and donated. I do greatly appreciate this. It’s been incredibly stressful and I’m doing my best. We are all doing our best.

I appreciate every single one of you. Thank you for donating, sharing and just being supportive. My family and I really do appreciate everything.

Thank you,

The Caputo Family