Karmen's Fight to Recovery
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Karmen’s Fight to Recovery
Chances are, if you are from the Texarkana/Pleasant Grove/Red Lick area, you know, or have come into contact with, the family of Karmen (Phillips) Cobb and Mitch Cobb. Karmen and Mitch are hardworking, lifetime members of our close-knit community. We are reaching out on their behalf, with the hope of helping them raise the funds to pay for a serious medical surgery that Karmen so desperately needs.
Community Connection:
Karmen and Mitch are, and always will be, deeply rooted in this community. Karmen’s employment history has involved working at White’s Glenwood House, Northeast Texas Restitution Center as a probation officer, owning a catering business, being a general contractor and a consultant for building and decorating, as well as showcasing her talent as a local artist.
Mitch has been in the Texarkana financial business for years with TEXAR Federal Credit Union, Red River Federal Credit Union, and currently serves as VP of lending for Milway Federal Credit Union. He has spent countless hours volunteering in the community with Boy Scouts of America, Texarkana College Bulldog 100, and numerous Credit Union events supporting Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Together, Karmen and Mitch have taught marriage and Bible classes for 20 years at their church, Northside Assembly of God in Texarkana. The Cobbs grew up together at First Baptist Church and have been married for 27 years. They are also the proud parents of Tyler, an Eagle Scout and kinesiology major, at Texas A & M University-Texarkana.
Backstory/Start of Medical Problems:
Growing up here in Texarkana, Karmen was very athletic…an avid runner, softball player, skier, and all-around adventurous soul. Her medical decline began with symptoms that many doctors had difficulty diagnosing because of the rarity of the disorder. After visits with over 25 specialists, including two major operations, Karmen was diagnosed with an extremely rare neuralgia disorder that affects sensory/motor fibers, which in turn greatly affects her general mobility.
In August, after consulting with three specialists in the Dallas area, including Brazilian, Dr. Nucelio Lemos, she was advised that the specific surgery she needs for recovery is only performed in Sao Paulo, Brazil, by Dr. Lemos. Although Dr. Lemos does perform this surgery in Canada, the wait time for that location would be almost two years. Because of the rapid decline in Karmen’s pain level and mobility, a two year wait is not feasible. She has been bedridden for 18 months, only being able to travel to and from doctors’ appointments. The money raised from this GoFundMe will go toward the Cobbs’ travel costs from Dallas to Brazil, Karmen’s surgery, pre- and post-operative expenses, and accommodations for Mitch while in Brazil. None of these expenses are covered by their family’s conventional U.S. healthcare insurance.
Why the Need:
The emotional and financial toil of this type of debilitating disorder has been a long-drawn-out, difficult situation for this strong, Christian family. If the economic burden is lifted, the surgery can proceed more quickly and lessen the serious progression of Karmen’s neurological symptoms: chronic 24/7 low back pain affecting her spine, pelvis, and leg movement. Her disorder is listed as a “rare nerve disorder” that requires this decompression surgery to repair the entanglement of nerves.
Prayer:
Please join us in reaching out to help a local, hardworking family that has given so much to others in our community over the years. Daily prayer for the Cobb family is greatly appreciated. Karmen and Mitch’s extended family, Jerry and Jean Phillips and Michele Cobb, appreciate all of the spiritual and financial support of their children.
Updates will be provided frequently.
Chances are, if you are from the Texarkana/Pleasant Grove/Red Lick area, you know, or have come into contact with, the family of Karmen (Phillips) Cobb and Mitch Cobb. Karmen and Mitch are hardworking, lifetime members of our close-knit community. We are reaching out on their behalf, with the hope of helping them raise the funds to pay for a serious medical surgery that Karmen so desperately needs.
Community Connection:
Karmen and Mitch are, and always will be, deeply rooted in this community. Karmen’s employment history has involved working at White’s Glenwood House, Northeast Texas Restitution Center as a probation officer, owning a catering business, being a general contractor and a consultant for building and decorating, as well as showcasing her talent as a local artist.
Mitch has been in the Texarkana financial business for years with TEXAR Federal Credit Union, Red River Federal Credit Union, and currently serves as VP of lending for Milway Federal Credit Union. He has spent countless hours volunteering in the community with Boy Scouts of America, Texarkana College Bulldog 100, and numerous Credit Union events supporting Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Together, Karmen and Mitch have taught marriage and Bible classes for 20 years at their church, Northside Assembly of God in Texarkana. The Cobbs grew up together at First Baptist Church and have been married for 27 years. They are also the proud parents of Tyler, an Eagle Scout and kinesiology major, at Texas A & M University-Texarkana.
Backstory/Start of Medical Problems:
Growing up here in Texarkana, Karmen was very athletic…an avid runner, softball player, skier, and all-around adventurous soul. Her medical decline began with symptoms that many doctors had difficulty diagnosing because of the rarity of the disorder. After visits with over 25 specialists, including two major operations, Karmen was diagnosed with an extremely rare neuralgia disorder that affects sensory/motor fibers, which in turn greatly affects her general mobility.
In August, after consulting with three specialists in the Dallas area, including Brazilian, Dr. Nucelio Lemos, she was advised that the specific surgery she needs for recovery is only performed in Sao Paulo, Brazil, by Dr. Lemos. Although Dr. Lemos does perform this surgery in Canada, the wait time for that location would be almost two years. Because of the rapid decline in Karmen’s pain level and mobility, a two year wait is not feasible. She has been bedridden for 18 months, only being able to travel to and from doctors’ appointments. The money raised from this GoFundMe will go toward the Cobbs’ travel costs from Dallas to Brazil, Karmen’s surgery, pre- and post-operative expenses, and accommodations for Mitch while in Brazil. None of these expenses are covered by their family’s conventional U.S. healthcare insurance.
Why the Need:
The emotional and financial toil of this type of debilitating disorder has been a long-drawn-out, difficult situation for this strong, Christian family. If the economic burden is lifted, the surgery can proceed more quickly and lessen the serious progression of Karmen’s neurological symptoms: chronic 24/7 low back pain affecting her spine, pelvis, and leg movement. Her disorder is listed as a “rare nerve disorder” that requires this decompression surgery to repair the entanglement of nerves.
Prayer:
Please join us in reaching out to help a local, hardworking family that has given so much to others in our community over the years. Daily prayer for the Cobb family is greatly appreciated. Karmen and Mitch’s extended family, Jerry and Jean Phillips and Michele Cobb, appreciate all of the spiritual and financial support of their children.
Updates will be provided frequently.
Organizer and beneficiary
Mark Patterson
Organizer
Texarkana, TX
Mitch Cobb
Beneficiary