Help support the Fossum family
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On December 15th, 2020 Sheryl Fossum, my cousin’s wife of 28 years, suffered a severe heart attack on her way to work, only minutes after talking to her husband Tim. She was able to pull over to the side of the road and dial two numbers 91 before she lost consciousness. Miraculously the police found her, performed CPR and dispatched an ambulance. During that day Sheryl was transported to three different hospitals, each with progressively greater levels of trauma care, to save her life.
For over a week Sheryl remained in the Intensive Care Unit, unconscious until late Christmas Eve, when she regained consciousness and was able to respond to Tim. It was a memorable day; she was coherent and responsive, we were elated. Due to COVID restrictions, the hospital did not allow any visitors for Sheryl. Tim and Sheryl’s sister Renee were only able to communicate with her by phone.
Unfortunately, on December 26th, Sheryl had another cardiac event and was without oxygen for approximately 10 minutes. This event caused significant damage to several areas of her brain. She was placed on a ventilator and was unresponsive for the next 3 weeks. Since that time, she has had several infections and numerous medical setbacks. Sheryl has had countless tests to evaluate the extent of the damage to her brain. On February 5th Sheryl was transferred to a Long-term facility. Here she will receive physical therapy as they work to remove her from ventilator support. Unfortunately, she will require a feeding tube for the foreseeable future. The prognosis is unknown, and we will continue to hope and pray for a miracle.
Progress has been very slow; the trauma to Sheryl’s body has been significant and there is so much to heal. However, anyone who knows Sheryl, knows that she is a FIGHTER! There are days when her eyes open and she looks around like she is trying to figure out what is going on, but it is difficult to know what she can comprehend. Sometimes Tim and her sister Renee think she recognizes them, and other times they think it might just be wishful thinking. The neurologists have said her brain damage is severe and that she may never recognize her family nor resume a "normal" life. Right now, it appears that Sheryl will likely require 24/7 care.
Sadly, Sheryl, Tim, and their three sons have been through so much since Sheryl’s injury. Many family and friends have asked how they can help. As you can imagine, this horrendous ordeal has impacted the family financially as well as emotionally. The family is trying to reduce their expenses and come together to help support the family. Ryan and Nick, the older boys, are paying rent and Ryan has taken over Sheryl's car payment. Tanner, the youngest, is attending Bemidji State and they are doing what they can so he can finish his degree.
Immediately, financial help is needed to help them make the adjustment from a two-person to a single-person income. It is likely that Sheryl will not be able to work again. We hope and pray for Sheryl’s health to improve and for her to return home someday. When that day happens, they will likely need to remodel their home to accommodate for her physical needs and hire home health support to assist with her care and rehabilitation.
Any financial support would be greatly appreciated. We are hopeful that with your assistance we can help the Fossum family overcome some of the financial challenges they face. Thank you for your generosity.
For over a week Sheryl remained in the Intensive Care Unit, unconscious until late Christmas Eve, when she regained consciousness and was able to respond to Tim. It was a memorable day; she was coherent and responsive, we were elated. Due to COVID restrictions, the hospital did not allow any visitors for Sheryl. Tim and Sheryl’s sister Renee were only able to communicate with her by phone.
Unfortunately, on December 26th, Sheryl had another cardiac event and was without oxygen for approximately 10 minutes. This event caused significant damage to several areas of her brain. She was placed on a ventilator and was unresponsive for the next 3 weeks. Since that time, she has had several infections and numerous medical setbacks. Sheryl has had countless tests to evaluate the extent of the damage to her brain. On February 5th Sheryl was transferred to a Long-term facility. Here she will receive physical therapy as they work to remove her from ventilator support. Unfortunately, she will require a feeding tube for the foreseeable future. The prognosis is unknown, and we will continue to hope and pray for a miracle.
Progress has been very slow; the trauma to Sheryl’s body has been significant and there is so much to heal. However, anyone who knows Sheryl, knows that she is a FIGHTER! There are days when her eyes open and she looks around like she is trying to figure out what is going on, but it is difficult to know what she can comprehend. Sometimes Tim and her sister Renee think she recognizes them, and other times they think it might just be wishful thinking. The neurologists have said her brain damage is severe and that she may never recognize her family nor resume a "normal" life. Right now, it appears that Sheryl will likely require 24/7 care.
Sadly, Sheryl, Tim, and their three sons have been through so much since Sheryl’s injury. Many family and friends have asked how they can help. As you can imagine, this horrendous ordeal has impacted the family financially as well as emotionally. The family is trying to reduce their expenses and come together to help support the family. Ryan and Nick, the older boys, are paying rent and Ryan has taken over Sheryl's car payment. Tanner, the youngest, is attending Bemidji State and they are doing what they can so he can finish his degree.
Immediately, financial help is needed to help them make the adjustment from a two-person to a single-person income. It is likely that Sheryl will not be able to work again. We hope and pray for Sheryl’s health to improve and for her to return home someday. When that day happens, they will likely need to remodel their home to accommodate for her physical needs and hire home health support to assist with her care and rehabilitation.
Any financial support would be greatly appreciated. We are hopeful that with your assistance we can help the Fossum family overcome some of the financial challenges they face. Thank you for your generosity.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kelly Merriman
Organizer
St. Paul, MN
Tim Fossum
Beneficiary