Help Sherree Thornbrough Get New Hands & Feet

Friends and family of Sherree,

As many of you may know, our friend Sherree Thornbrough has been experiencing a horrible battle due to a catastrophic bite from a brown recluse spider. Sherree has lost her hands and feet. She and her family are in desperate need of our support for her ongoing and extensive medical care.

With immense appreciation for all of the support so many of you have already given of your resources and your prayers, we ask that you continue your prayers and if you are in a position, make a contribution. Please give whatever you can to help support Sherree and her family as she rebuilds her life. Thank you for your help. A more complete version of her story is below.

On May 13th, 2022, Sherree’s life was turned upside down. Sherree was having a wonderful day doing what she loves most – playing in the yard with her grandchildren. A brown recluse spider had bitten her approximately 2 weeks prior causing a deep cavity wound into her skin. As anyone would, she scratched the spider bite on the day of May 13th which caused it to bleed. Early the next morning, Sherree became very sick, throwing up continuously. After being rushed to the emergency room, she rapidly became very ill and worsened at a tremendous pace. She became dehydrated and non-reactive to any medications. She was immediately transferred to Redmond Hospital in Rome and admitted to the ICU. Sherree’s condition continued to worsen. The doctors determined that she had bacteria in her bloodstream that was likely caused by the spider bite. Sherree was intubated and put into a medically induced coma. Very quickly, she became septic with an infection in her blood. Her auto-immune system began attacking the bacteria, but the infection became uncontrollable. A rare and serious condition called Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) began disrupting her blood flow. DIC is a blood clotting disorder that can cause blood clots throughout the body, blocking small blood vessels. The blood clots began forming around her main organs and into her hands and feet. Sherree’s kidneys shut down. She began dialysis every 3 days. Her heart, liver and lung functions began to decrease. Her blood platelet levels were minimal. She began receiving blood transfusions to increase her platelets. Her platelets had to be higher to receive blood thinners to fight off the coagulation caused by the DIC.

Days and weeks went by with no improvements. After almost a month in extreme critical condition, the ICU doctors stated that they were very concerned with Sherree’s very survival. If she did survive she could possibly lose her hands and feet. After about 6 weeks in the ICU, Sherree’s platelet level finally reached a point where she could receive blood thinners to fight off the blood clots. There was finally some hope that Sherree may survive this awful illness but the damage was already done to her hands and feet. The Doctors at Redmond said she would lose them.

After consulting with her doctors, Sherree and Scott traveled to OrthoCarolina Brachial Plexus and Limb Paralysis Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The specialists concluded that there was no choice except to amputate her hands and her feet. Today, she is battling all the complications that come with having such trauma. Once stable, Sherree will be fitted with prosthesis. Sherree is blessed to be under the care of Dr. Glenn Gaston, one of the leading amputee and prosthetic doctors in the country.

Sheree has the expenses she incurred during her extended stay of 2 months in ICU at Redmond Hospital. But she will have astronomical ongoing expenses from OrthoCarolina Brachial Plexus and Limb Paralysis Center associated with her prosthesis and physical therapy. Scott has only been able to work in a part-time basis as he is Sherree’s primary caretaker. Not to mention traveling expenses from Calhoun Georgia to North Carolina.

Sherree is a precious, sweet, and kind lady who is loved by so many. No one can describe the outpouring of love that she has received. We are so grateful for the family, friends, caretakers, pastors, congregations, and strangers that have sent their love and prayers and gathered together with us to trust that God will watch over her and give her the courage, strength and willpower to pull though this. Sherree’s unwavering faith, strength, belief and trust that GOD has her in the palm of His hand is what keeps her going. Sheree is a fighter and a warrior. God makes the impossible—possible.

We ask you to join us in our prayer, that Sherree can become self-sufficient again and can enjoy the rest of her life with her devoted Scott, her children, grandchildren, family and friends. While no words can describe the unimaginable, we are searching for any way to provide immediate help and need you to join us. We ask that everyone give what they can to ease the burden that Sherree and her family are bearing.

Contributions can be made through this GoFundMe page or mailed to or dropped off at:

Greater Community Bank

Attn: Sherree Thornbrough Fund

305 W Belmont Drive

P O Box 579

Calhoun, GA 30703

If you would like to send a card directly to Sherree, please click on the contact button for the Organizer to email Donna and she will forward you mailing information.

Updates will be posted with Sheree’s progression. Please watch for them.