Karen Okura and John Caruso need your help

Please help support dear friends Karen Okura and her husband, John Caruso.

On March 15, 2020, Karen suffered a stroke and was admitted to Rush Hospital where she was treated and observed for 10 days. She then had brain surgery to correct her condition, Moyamoya (genetic construction of the blood vessels in the brain). This surgery was meant to greatly reduce the risk of another stroke. After Karen’s surgical recovery, she was moved to the in-patient rehab center where she stayed until May 1, 2020. The entire time, John was not allowed to see Karen in person due to Covid. All communication was handled via Facetime with nurses holding the phone.

As Karen was without health insurance, getting at home care was difficult. Since she returned home, John has been Karen’s primary caretaker. There have been sporadic health care workers (provided by a state of Illinois program). However, this coverage has been difficult to get because of the lack of workers available due to Covid.

Towards the end of 2020, Karen had seven separate seizures, including one on Christmas Day. Karen was admitted to the hospital again so they could transition her to another medication. During the second seizure while at the ER, Karen suffered a heart attack. She was admitted to Rush Oak Park for her heart procedure - three stents.

During 2021, unfortunately not much has changed. Karen is able to walk very slowly for short limited distances with a cane. She has some movement in her right arm but not her hand. Her speech is still compromised, but her understanding is just fine.

They have been fortunate to have had Rush’s Charity Care assistance with some of their medical expenses. However, with Karen’s continued medical conditions their expenses are mounting. Karen is on 11 different medications. Karen had been receiving speech, occupational and physical therapy on an outpatient basis at Rush. As of this past February, all of her therapies have run out. They are doing the best they can at home with John providing as much in the way of therapy as possible. Karen has good days and less than good days, both physically and mentally. For both Karen and John it is difficult to adjust to what life is now, with so many reminders of what life was knowing it will never be the same.

Karen has touched the lives of so many people for so many years as an amazing dog trainer, friend and with her hilarious sense of humor. Karen’s husband John is the love of her life, best friend and now her caretaker in every sense. No one wants to find themselves in need of asking for help, but it is desperately needed for medical bills, therapy and medications.

Please consider donating if you can, sharing this GoFundMe page and keeping Karen and John in your thoughts and prayers. We are beyond grateful for your help.