Jim Abrams Go Fund Me
Donation protected
Dear friends,
Some of you already know the story, but for those who don’t:
Two days after his 80th birthday, Jim had to have emergency surgery for a tumor, related to his ongoing cancer, on his cervical spine. We went to the ER early am on 9/11 after he knocked his head on a low branch of the fig tree in our front yard, while taking our dog out for her morning pee, and then jerking his neck causing excruciating pain. Turns out after cat scans at Sonoma Valley ER, then being transferred to Santa Rosa Memorial Trauma Center and an MRI, his C3 is nothing but a mere “egg shell” caused by the tumor which is also pressing against his spinal cord.
He had the surgery the morning of Friday, 9/13. His cervical spine was stabilized with rods and screws. The surgery went well and after 5 days at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, he is now recovering at home. He will have to have 3 weeks of radiation after he recovers from the surgery.
It’s actually kinda miraculous and very lucky it was found before it broke or collapsed, which would have resulted in either death or paralysis from the neck down.
As many of you know Jim spent the majority of his prime earning years at San Francisco Zen Center as a monk and priest. After he left Zen center he worked for 10 years at UC Santa Cruz and retired when we moved to Sonoma. He earned a small retirement, but with his many medical expenses over the last few years due to his cancer, even with insurance, that is pretty much gone and he basically just has his small SSI benefit. Of course he has me, but that doesn’t represent a lot, at least not financially.
He remains in good spirits and we are both so appreciative of all the expressions of love and support. Please continue to hold the good thoughts and prayers.
If you are unable to donate please consider sharing this message.
Thank you and bless you. ❤️
Kathryn Stark
Some of you already know the story, but for those who don’t:
Two days after his 80th birthday, Jim had to have emergency surgery for a tumor, related to his ongoing cancer, on his cervical spine. We went to the ER early am on 9/11 after he knocked his head on a low branch of the fig tree in our front yard, while taking our dog out for her morning pee, and then jerking his neck causing excruciating pain. Turns out after cat scans at Sonoma Valley ER, then being transferred to Santa Rosa Memorial Trauma Center and an MRI, his C3 is nothing but a mere “egg shell” caused by the tumor which is also pressing against his spinal cord.
He had the surgery the morning of Friday, 9/13. His cervical spine was stabilized with rods and screws. The surgery went well and after 5 days at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, he is now recovering at home. He will have to have 3 weeks of radiation after he recovers from the surgery.
It’s actually kinda miraculous and very lucky it was found before it broke or collapsed, which would have resulted in either death or paralysis from the neck down.
As many of you know Jim spent the majority of his prime earning years at San Francisco Zen Center as a monk and priest. After he left Zen center he worked for 10 years at UC Santa Cruz and retired when we moved to Sonoma. He earned a small retirement, but with his many medical expenses over the last few years due to his cancer, even with insurance, that is pretty much gone and he basically just has his small SSI benefit. Of course he has me, but that doesn’t represent a lot, at least not financially.
He remains in good spirits and we are both so appreciative of all the expressions of love and support. Please continue to hold the good thoughts and prayers.
If you are unable to donate please consider sharing this message.
Thank you and bless you. ❤️
Kathryn Stark
Organizer
Kathryn Stark
Organizer
Sonoma, CA