Thank you for checking out our GoFundMe campaign. We are raising funds for our friend, Sasha Petrova.
Every year my father, Ron, heads to Mexico to get away from the cold Saskatchewan weather! He first started travelling to Mazatlan, Mexico, over 9 years ago. Over those 9 years he has met many Mexican people and other people like himself who travel from Canada, the United States and all over the world to live in Mazatlan and enjoy a warmer climate. He has made many long-standing friendships there including Sasha.
Eight months ago, Sasha took a serious fall in Mazatlan where she lives permanently. Unfortunately, the fall has resulted in unexpected health issues since and has reduced her ability to get out and enjoy life again.
Here is Sasha’s story, in her own words:
My legal name is Aleksandra Sasha Natalya Petrova, however, I go by Sasha Petrova.
I am 70 years old and I used to live in the United States. In 2004 I moved to Mazatlan, Mexico, with my mother because we both lived on our Social Security which did not cover housing, food, clothing and other necessities. Unfortunately, my mother died in 2006 and I now live alone.
Eight months ago I fell off a bus and landed in the street on my chest breaking a total of 11 ribs, 4 on the left side and 7 on the right side. Due to the fact I do not have health coverage, I was unable to afford the cost of staying in the hospital and the medication required to help me heal. As a result, the ribs on the left side healed within 8 weeks but the ribs on the right side are still broken and cause me considerable pain. Sitting, walking and sleeping are almost impossible from the pain.
To date, I have seen 4 doctors who all agree something must be done to help my ribs heal. My new Doctor is an Orthopaedic Trauma Specialist and a Radiologist in Mazatlan who specializes in broken bones.
I recently visited my Specialist and he and an associate both decided that, with so many broken ribs, it would be better to do surgery in the hospital rather than on an outpatient basis. Although my fall was 8 months ago, as I mentioned, I still have 7 broken ribs on the right side (2 have healed but need to be re-broken and repaired properly). My Doctor’s both agree the bones will not heal on their own. As best I understand, their initial plan was to implant round plates, however, they have now determined it would be better to use screws to hold the broken ribs together. What they are proposing is, apparently, a new procedure but has shown significant improvement for those it has been performed on. In addition to the surgery, I will need follow-up appointments and at least 3 months of physical therapy.
The Doctors have indicated I am very lucky that none of the ribs have punctured my lungs but they are concerned that, in time, the broken ribs may move and could possibly puncture the right lung and cause serious problems. I am also concerned that without the surgery I will soon be confined to a wheelchair and, here in Mazatlan, the streets and sidewalks are not conducive for wheelchairs. I live on a second floor apartment which would make using a wheelchair impossible.
In addition to the broken ribs, I also have bilateral emphysema, arthritis, osteoporosis, a sleep disorder (which I have had from birth) and a few other age related ailments but otherwise am in good health. I had three episodes of breast cancer in 1995 but have been cancer free since. However, my recent Doctor appointments also showed a spot on my lung. So there may be other issues in addition to my broken ribs which may need to be addressed if I have the proposed surgery.
While medical care and other living expenses are much cheaper in Mazatlan, Medicare is not accepted in Mazatlan and my Social Security, my only source of income each month, will not cover any medical treatment, not even for an emergency. Currently my monthly prescription costs eat up approximately one-third of my monthly income and sometimes more. Once again, while medication in Mexico is generally less expensive, many over the counter medications are more expensive because most Mexicans do not purchase unnecessary medications – they are too poor to spend money that can be used for food, clothing and housing. Regardless the fact that medications are cheaper than in the US, most people like myself, who are on fixed incomes, find it difficult to find the funds to pay for them.
Also, the cost for the proposed surgery, hospital stay, follow-up appointments and months of physical therapy will be approximately $6,400.00 CA. My Doctors assure me my ribs will heal very quickly with the proposed surgery. However, the cost is much more than I anticipated and I do not have the resources to pay for it on my own, especially considering my monthly prescription costs.
I am hopeful, with some help, I may be able to have the surgery that I need.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story.
Sincerely, Sasha Petrova
We know Sasha’s story is not an isolated story and there are many others who, due to unexpected circumstances, find themselves facing significant medical bills while on a fixed income.
While I have not had the pleasure of meeting Sasha personally, Mazatlan has become my father’s home away from home. Hearing of Sasha’s health issues and her inability to pay for the necessary medical care she requires hit home and I consider her as family by virtue of her long-standing friendship with my Father.
We are very fortunate as Canadians to have access to health care and it is something we take for granted every day.
Most of us know of someone who has experienced health issues, or have experienced health issues ourselves, and can relate to Sasha’s story and the stress that goes with it. However, in Sasha’s case, there is the added stress of no guaranteed health care and she must cover all costs for the care she needs herself. Without surgery, Sasha knows she could end up in a wheelchair and create even more serious health issues.
So if Sasha’s story touches you, like it has us, and you too would like to help Sasha have the proposed surgery as soon as possible, there are several ways to do so:
* Like or share our GoFundMe page on Facebook;
* Make a one-time donation or become a monthly contributor for the life of the campaign or for any time period you prefer.
We would like to raise $18,000.00 CA and anything you are able to do to help Sasha get the medical treatment she needs would be great. The funds raised would be utilized to:
* Cover the approximate $6,400.00 CA bill for the proposed surgery, hospital stay, ongoing appointments and required physical therapy;
* Cover any additional surgery, hospital stays or treatment required, including treatment for other health related issues;
* Provide Sasha with additional funds, for as long as we can, to help her pay her monthly prescription drugs and provide her a bit of relief from the pressure of living on a fixed income.
Since Sasha lives in Mexico, any funds raised must be withdrawn by myself, Shelley Merriman, as the campaign organizer – please note this is a GoFundMe requirement and must be stipulated on this page. I would in turn forward the funds raised to Sasha via Paypal.
Once again thank you for visiting our GoFundMe page. Any support you can provide is appreciated!
Shelley Merriman & Ron Merriman
Every year my father, Ron, heads to Mexico to get away from the cold Saskatchewan weather! He first started travelling to Mazatlan, Mexico, over 9 years ago. Over those 9 years he has met many Mexican people and other people like himself who travel from Canada, the United States and all over the world to live in Mazatlan and enjoy a warmer climate. He has made many long-standing friendships there including Sasha.
Eight months ago, Sasha took a serious fall in Mazatlan where she lives permanently. Unfortunately, the fall has resulted in unexpected health issues since and has reduced her ability to get out and enjoy life again.
Here is Sasha’s story, in her own words:
My legal name is Aleksandra Sasha Natalya Petrova, however, I go by Sasha Petrova.
I am 70 years old and I used to live in the United States. In 2004 I moved to Mazatlan, Mexico, with my mother because we both lived on our Social Security which did not cover housing, food, clothing and other necessities. Unfortunately, my mother died in 2006 and I now live alone.
Eight months ago I fell off a bus and landed in the street on my chest breaking a total of 11 ribs, 4 on the left side and 7 on the right side. Due to the fact I do not have health coverage, I was unable to afford the cost of staying in the hospital and the medication required to help me heal. As a result, the ribs on the left side healed within 8 weeks but the ribs on the right side are still broken and cause me considerable pain. Sitting, walking and sleeping are almost impossible from the pain.
To date, I have seen 4 doctors who all agree something must be done to help my ribs heal. My new Doctor is an Orthopaedic Trauma Specialist and a Radiologist in Mazatlan who specializes in broken bones.
I recently visited my Specialist and he and an associate both decided that, with so many broken ribs, it would be better to do surgery in the hospital rather than on an outpatient basis. Although my fall was 8 months ago, as I mentioned, I still have 7 broken ribs on the right side (2 have healed but need to be re-broken and repaired properly). My Doctor’s both agree the bones will not heal on their own. As best I understand, their initial plan was to implant round plates, however, they have now determined it would be better to use screws to hold the broken ribs together. What they are proposing is, apparently, a new procedure but has shown significant improvement for those it has been performed on. In addition to the surgery, I will need follow-up appointments and at least 3 months of physical therapy.
The Doctors have indicated I am very lucky that none of the ribs have punctured my lungs but they are concerned that, in time, the broken ribs may move and could possibly puncture the right lung and cause serious problems. I am also concerned that without the surgery I will soon be confined to a wheelchair and, here in Mazatlan, the streets and sidewalks are not conducive for wheelchairs. I live on a second floor apartment which would make using a wheelchair impossible.
In addition to the broken ribs, I also have bilateral emphysema, arthritis, osteoporosis, a sleep disorder (which I have had from birth) and a few other age related ailments but otherwise am in good health. I had three episodes of breast cancer in 1995 but have been cancer free since. However, my recent Doctor appointments also showed a spot on my lung. So there may be other issues in addition to my broken ribs which may need to be addressed if I have the proposed surgery.
While medical care and other living expenses are much cheaper in Mazatlan, Medicare is not accepted in Mazatlan and my Social Security, my only source of income each month, will not cover any medical treatment, not even for an emergency. Currently my monthly prescription costs eat up approximately one-third of my monthly income and sometimes more. Once again, while medication in Mexico is generally less expensive, many over the counter medications are more expensive because most Mexicans do not purchase unnecessary medications – they are too poor to spend money that can be used for food, clothing and housing. Regardless the fact that medications are cheaper than in the US, most people like myself, who are on fixed incomes, find it difficult to find the funds to pay for them.
Also, the cost for the proposed surgery, hospital stay, follow-up appointments and months of physical therapy will be approximately $6,400.00 CA. My Doctors assure me my ribs will heal very quickly with the proposed surgery. However, the cost is much more than I anticipated and I do not have the resources to pay for it on my own, especially considering my monthly prescription costs.
I am hopeful, with some help, I may be able to have the surgery that I need.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story.
Sincerely, Sasha Petrova
We know Sasha’s story is not an isolated story and there are many others who, due to unexpected circumstances, find themselves facing significant medical bills while on a fixed income.
While I have not had the pleasure of meeting Sasha personally, Mazatlan has become my father’s home away from home. Hearing of Sasha’s health issues and her inability to pay for the necessary medical care she requires hit home and I consider her as family by virtue of her long-standing friendship with my Father.
We are very fortunate as Canadians to have access to health care and it is something we take for granted every day.
Most of us know of someone who has experienced health issues, or have experienced health issues ourselves, and can relate to Sasha’s story and the stress that goes with it. However, in Sasha’s case, there is the added stress of no guaranteed health care and she must cover all costs for the care she needs herself. Without surgery, Sasha knows she could end up in a wheelchair and create even more serious health issues.
So if Sasha’s story touches you, like it has us, and you too would like to help Sasha have the proposed surgery as soon as possible, there are several ways to do so:
* Like or share our GoFundMe page on Facebook;
* Make a one-time donation or become a monthly contributor for the life of the campaign or for any time period you prefer.
We would like to raise $18,000.00 CA and anything you are able to do to help Sasha get the medical treatment she needs would be great. The funds raised would be utilized to:
* Cover the approximate $6,400.00 CA bill for the proposed surgery, hospital stay, ongoing appointments and required physical therapy;
* Cover any additional surgery, hospital stays or treatment required, including treatment for other health related issues;
* Provide Sasha with additional funds, for as long as we can, to help her pay her monthly prescription drugs and provide her a bit of relief from the pressure of living on a fixed income.
Since Sasha lives in Mexico, any funds raised must be withdrawn by myself, Shelley Merriman, as the campaign organizer – please note this is a GoFundMe requirement and must be stipulated on this page. I would in turn forward the funds raised to Sasha via Paypal.
Once again thank you for visiting our GoFundMe page. Any support you can provide is appreciated!
Shelley Merriman & Ron Merriman