I’m Lori, Rich Rutherford’s wife. I’m asking for help to pay medical bills and some monthly bills. Our story starts almost 2 years ago. I had knee replacement surgery, then got Covid and that did something bad to my knee. I have been on disability ever since. Rich had a heart attack. We were in the process of moving into our house when this happened, which we had put all our savings into. Rich’s heart is only at 30% now. Rich was supposed to have hip replacement surgery and it got postponed one year due to heart attack. Then had a defibrillator put in.

In the meantime, I fell in the back yard and broke my femur, pulling weeds. Rod and pins for me. Then I had lower back surgery due to degenerative disc disease a month later. After one year Rich finally had his hip replacement surgery. I had my hip replaced 6 weeks after him. I have had a couple more minor medical things done to date. Rich was finally starting back to work, after being off for 3 months due to him working Construction, from weight restrictions. We were in the hospital with his Father who was on hospice. Rich started having violent chills. We went home and chills turned to high fevers. Rich had that for a day before we went to Convenient Care. They thought he had Covid, sent us home to wait for results. Returned 2 days later because he couldn’t fight high fevers and chills. Plus his left side by ribs started hurting. Doctor sent us to Emergency Department right away. Doctors ran tests and bloodwork, did X-rays and CT. After 2 days they said he had blood infection, and enlarged spleen, and we would have to stay in hospital. After a scope procedure to his heart and chest the 3rd day, they realized his defibrillator leads had gotten infected and had to be taken out right away. Now they have him on an antibiotics regiment, trying to fight infection. Not sure if there is more to come, kidneys or anything else. He is in so much pain. Said he has to be on antibiotics for 6 weeks. Still in hospital, not sure when we will be released. He is missing his Father’s funeral and spending time with family and friends. Not sure what the future holds at this time. It has been a rough 2 years. If you could help us in any way, we would be deeply appreciative. We can’t seem to catch a break. We know times are tough right now. We just need a helping hand to get back on our feet. God bless everyone!