My Hero MaryBeth Needs a Helping Hand
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Some people think heroes wear capes, but I know real heroes have red hair and freckles.
MaryBeth Clune has been my best friend for nearly 40 years. We moved next door to her family after I broke my neck in a diving accident that left me permanently paralyzed, and I can still remember the first time I saw her. She introduced herself with a shy wave and a smile a mile wide. From that day forward we were inseparable! Never once did she see my disability and together we grew up as young girls do. We dreamed about future boyfriends, obsessively read romance novels and did crazy stunts that still make me shudder at our stupidity when I think about them. She made me believe that I was like any other girl, and her superpower of unconditional friendship is second to none.
When her husband Bill asked me to write something for her gofundme page, I didn't hesitate.
When Things Got Urgent for MaryBeth
The only time MaryBeth has been hospitalized is when she gave birth to her three beautiful daughters. That all changed about a month ago. She started feeling unwell, so the doctor ordered some bloodwork. Within 24 hours, MaryBeth found herself rushed back to the hospital for further testing.
Her tests revealed an issue with her bile duct. It had sealed itself off and was literally poisoning her from within. Doctors placed a stent in the bile duct to keep it open, but the intervention was only a temporary solution. Additional surgery would be needed a few weeks later. Precancerous cells required a complex operation called the Whipple procedure to remove the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct. If that wasn't enough, doctors also felt it necessary to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
The surgery took more than seven hours, and we all waited anxiously for word that she would be okay. The news that MaryBeth was in recovery had barely reached me when an urgent message came from the medical team that she had to be rushed back into the OR. An artery was leaking and her blood pressure was crashing. The surgical team rushed back into the OR to reopen the incision for the life-saving artery repair. She's in recovery now and the pain is intense — but I know she will get through it because the world is a better place when she is in it.
When the Unexpected Happens We Need Our Friends
Everyone is working hard to take care of their families, and when the cost of healthcare is greater than health insurance — life savings can be wiped out in an instant. But when friends pull together there is nothing we can't accomplish to make sure the people we love have what they need. MaryBeth and Bill could use our help to cover costs associated with the life-saving surgery she needed to keep her incredible spirit in our lives.
How You Can Help
Anyone who knows MaryBeth knows there isn't anything she wouldn't do for a friend in need. With a bright smile and a positive attitude, she rolls up her sleeves and does whatever needs doing. While others think of themselves first, she puts herself last. Her laugh is big and her heart is bigger. She's kind, compassionate and would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. Today she needs you.
The anxiety of unpaid medical bills can cause mental stress that delays physical healing. Please use this gofundme page to show your support for MaryBeth during her recovery so she can focus on getting better. Every dollar is appreciated, and I know the family would also be grateful if you kept them in your prayers.
To help get the word out, please share the link to your Facebook timeline!
From Bill, the wipple procedure is one of the most painful surgeries to recover from and it takes a long time! It has been suggested she might need a visiting nurse to check on her at home for a few months! Our insurance deductible is $5,000 and many of the things we think she might need have a 50% co-pay. I am going to have to take a few more weeks off from work and I am out of PTO.....
Honestly, at this point we don't even know, what we don't know! Any help will be appreciated!
MaryBeth Clune has been my best friend for nearly 40 years. We moved next door to her family after I broke my neck in a diving accident that left me permanently paralyzed, and I can still remember the first time I saw her. She introduced herself with a shy wave and a smile a mile wide. From that day forward we were inseparable! Never once did she see my disability and together we grew up as young girls do. We dreamed about future boyfriends, obsessively read romance novels and did crazy stunts that still make me shudder at our stupidity when I think about them. She made me believe that I was like any other girl, and her superpower of unconditional friendship is second to none.
When her husband Bill asked me to write something for her gofundme page, I didn't hesitate.
When Things Got Urgent for MaryBeth
The only time MaryBeth has been hospitalized is when she gave birth to her three beautiful daughters. That all changed about a month ago. She started feeling unwell, so the doctor ordered some bloodwork. Within 24 hours, MaryBeth found herself rushed back to the hospital for further testing.
Her tests revealed an issue with her bile duct. It had sealed itself off and was literally poisoning her from within. Doctors placed a stent in the bile duct to keep it open, but the intervention was only a temporary solution. Additional surgery would be needed a few weeks later. Precancerous cells required a complex operation called the Whipple procedure to remove the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct. If that wasn't enough, doctors also felt it necessary to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
The surgery took more than seven hours, and we all waited anxiously for word that she would be okay. The news that MaryBeth was in recovery had barely reached me when an urgent message came from the medical team that she had to be rushed back into the OR. An artery was leaking and her blood pressure was crashing. The surgical team rushed back into the OR to reopen the incision for the life-saving artery repair. She's in recovery now and the pain is intense — but I know she will get through it because the world is a better place when she is in it.
When the Unexpected Happens We Need Our Friends
Everyone is working hard to take care of their families, and when the cost of healthcare is greater than health insurance — life savings can be wiped out in an instant. But when friends pull together there is nothing we can't accomplish to make sure the people we love have what they need. MaryBeth and Bill could use our help to cover costs associated with the life-saving surgery she needed to keep her incredible spirit in our lives.
How You Can Help
Anyone who knows MaryBeth knows there isn't anything she wouldn't do for a friend in need. With a bright smile and a positive attitude, she rolls up her sleeves and does whatever needs doing. While others think of themselves first, she puts herself last. Her laugh is big and her heart is bigger. She's kind, compassionate and would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. Today she needs you.
The anxiety of unpaid medical bills can cause mental stress that delays physical healing. Please use this gofundme page to show your support for MaryBeth during her recovery so she can focus on getting better. Every dollar is appreciated, and I know the family would also be grateful if you kept them in your prayers.
To help get the word out, please share the link to your Facebook timeline!
From Bill, the wipple procedure is one of the most painful surgeries to recover from and it takes a long time! It has been suggested she might need a visiting nurse to check on her at home for a few months! Our insurance deductible is $5,000 and many of the things we think she might need have a 50% co-pay. I am going to have to take a few more weeks off from work and I am out of PTO.....
Honestly, at this point we don't even know, what we don't know! Any help will be appreciated!
Organizer
William Clune
Organizer
Olean, NY