In Memory of Nazim Sial - Updated 7.25.2023

Hello everyone, and thank you for visiting this GoFundMe page for Nazim Sial. This page has been created by friends of Nazim Sial and Samara Silverman to share the challenges they have faced with Naz’s health and ask for your assistance as they tackle the obstacles ahead.

On July 20, 2021, at 4:30 am, just two months after turning 40 years old, Naz suffered a massive stroke on the right side of his brain while at home with his wife, Samara. Paramedics were called immediately and he was rushed to the hospital for an emergency procedure to try and clear the blood clot. Unfortunately, the doctors could not restore blood flow to the affected areas of his brain, resulting in left-side paralysis and damage to his cognitive and higher-functioning capabilities. As a result, Naz needs around-the-clock care to manage his basic needs and daily functions. Samara still needs to work, so she has hired caregivers as an out-of-pocket expense since these services are not covered by insurance.

Naz was in the hospital for nearly two months after the stroke. Since then, he has been at home in Riverside with Samara, but over the last 14 months, he has had several hospital stays as his health continues to be affected by his previous cancer battle in 2010 and double lung transplant in August 2019. Naz receives various therapies (speech/cognitive, physical, and occupational) at home and as an outpatient. These therapies aim to create new neuropathways that are the means for him to recover as much function as possible. It's commonly thought that the most progress in stroke recovery occurs during the first couple of years.

Because so many people have already provided so much assistance to them, Samara is hesitant to request any additional help. They are already so grateful for everyone who has donated money and/or vacation hours, not just after the stroke but also after Naz’s previous major medical events. Not to mention everyone who has visited the hospital, sent cards, food, etc.

However, they are now facing yet another struggle. As a result of the medications that Naz has been on since his stem cell transplant in 2011, he is now in end stage renal failure. His most recent hospital stay in mid-October confirmed his need for dialysis as his kidneys are no longer functioning well enough on their own. His first dialysis session was on November 2, 2022. He will need outpatient dialysis 3 times per week and this will require additional help to maintain his care at home.

The disability insurance payments they received after the stroke ended in July 2022, but the need for full-time caregivers will continue indefinitely. Most of the therapies are covered by insurance, but Samara is also paying out of pocket for additional cognitive therapy to try and help Naz regain as much functionality as possible. The 21 hours/day of caregivers in the home are not covered by insurance so they have been paying out of pocket for this expense. In order for Samara to keep her job (and their insurance coverage), the caregivers are essential but also very costly. Your donation/contribution would go directly to help with these costs for caregivers and supplemental therapy.

Samara and Naz continue to be so grateful for everyone who calls, texts, stops by to visit, etc. These interactions are essential for Naz’s recovery and his mental health. If you are fully vaccinated against covid and wearing a mask, they would be pleased to see you! They also would like everyone to consider getting long-term care insurance, which they did not know about or have. That would’ve helped them pay for the in-home care that Naz needs. Samara wants to take this opportunity to educate everyone else about this insurance option so friends and family can learn from their experience.

We graciously ask for your contribution, and would be extremely grateful if you could share this fundraiser page with your friends, family, colleagues and loved ones so we can hopefully help provide the needed assistance to Naz and Samara as they continue to navigate the upcoming difficulties of the days/weeks/months/years ahead.

Samara and Naz are so grateful for all of you.

Thank you.