For those of you that know my sister know that she is strong, independent, determined, and can make you laugh.  She has worked hard her whole life and is a great mother and nurse. She would rather help others than ever ask for help or seek pity (in fact there are only a select few people in her life that even know all this has been going on). But, there comes a time in life when you just can't avoid it. Now is her time and her and her kids need your help. Katie had an extreme surgery to her left foot which included bone removal and the formation and attachment of a new Achilles tendon. Although she was in physical therapy for about 9 months, the recovery process for this extreme surgery left her struggling to manage the household as a single mother and recover. In the mean time, her employer would not allow her to work on restrictions (she is a registered nurse) and she reached her maximum number of days on disability (meaning no income and a denial from Unemployment). She borrowed money from her retirement to help get by. As she was still trying to recover from that surgery she had to have another surgery to her abdomen on November 22 with a drain placed. She was hoping to recover quicker from this surgery but ended up being hospitalized on December 13 at The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio while visiting family (which she is unsure how much her insurance will cover because of the network). At that time she was diagnosed with severe sepsis and cellulitis. Her hemoglobin was low, other labs were off and she had an abnormal heart rhythm. An attempt was made to correct these things and she was eventually discharged. Just a week after that she saw her surgeon who removed the drain from her abdomen. Two short day later she was again admitted to the hospital because she was retaining the fluid in her abdomen because her surgeon made the choice to remove the drain to prevent another infection. During that admission she was again placed on several IV antibiotics, had fluid removed from her abdomen, a new drain placed, and an attempt was made to correct her abnormal labs. After discharge Katie once again started to experience problems and had to return to the hospital. She had once again another drain placed in her abdomen and blood work. Her hemoglobin had been steadily dropping along with her iron and her platelets were at high levels. Two days later she met with her PCP. At that time she had more blood work which show again more severe abnormalities along with an ear infection and a concerning lump in her neck. She was been placed on antibiotics again (which has/is caused many side affects due to having/being on IV and/or oral antibiotics for almost a month straight). She is waiting on an ultrasound now to better determine what the lump in her neck is. She is also going in for more blood work and continues to hope for a resolution to problems/abscess/fluid in her abdomen. At this point she has been denied unemployment (her employer stated in was a "voluntary quit" when she reached her max days on long term disability)disability, and cannot start a new job until these issues have resolved though she has had some interviews). She has no income coming in. She is afraid, worried, and struggling to make ends meet. Her credit cards now have large balances. She is definitely not

one to ask for help in any sort of way but really has no other option at this point. Katie has helped so many people throughout her life in so many ways. And, although she hates to hear it, it is her turn now. If you can help her and her kids in any way please consider it. No donation is too small and all will be greatly appreciated!