Dear Friends and Family,

I am asking for your help today for a member of our Belmont community, our dear neighbor and friend for over 30 years, Mrs. Caroline Annas. She is 78 years old. She lost her lifetime partner and husband Mr. Raymond Annas on Christmas Eve of last year and now lives alone. Ms. Caroline is a God loving woman and a faithful member of Parkwood Baptist Church.

Mr. Raymond was also a very dear man, a Vietnam veteran, and lifetime member of the American Legion. He loved his country and has flown the American flag high on a flag pole in his front yard for many years!

It has been very difficult for Ms. Caroline transitioning to life alone.

As her close neighbors and loving friends, we have looked out for her and her best interest while providing our love and support during her time of adjustment..... but today I am asking for your help.

On Sept 4, Ms. Caroline underwent a total hip arthroplasty . What was suppose to be an overnight hospital stay and prognosis of being able to return home alone with full weight bear status and use of a walker has turned into a tragedy. During her surgery, she suffered a fragility fracture of her femur bone. The head of the femur completely broke off and had to be wired and pinned back in place. This is a very serious fracture that affects the stability of her new hip implant. This could become a life altering change for her if the bones do not mend. Her medical status quickly changed from going home without the need of assistance to requiring 24/7 care due to strict orders for toe touch weight bear and movement restriction of her surgical leg to protect the very fragile fracture site over the next 8 weeks. The surgeon has cautioned that a fall and/or any extraneous movement of her surgical leg , anything that would cause movement of the fracture site , would severely compromise her bone healing.

She was transferred to rehab post surgery for 20 days of which was covered by insurance. She has been unable to return home alone due to requiring 24/7 care for the next 6-8 weeks , possibly longer, in order to prevent a fall that could alter her life forever. Her family support consists of family members who live out of town and are also of senior age with health issues of their own and not able to safely care for her 24/7 in the home. A decision had to be made quickly where and how to obtain care for her as she was advised that on the 20th day of rehab, she had to leave or pay out of pocket to stay. The decision was made to transfer her to the assisted living section of the rehab facility which reduced her care costs by half. However, this care is still very expensive, not covered by insurance, and is out of pocket pay for her extended stay. This comes as a great financial burden for her on a fixed income and for her long term financial security. To date, she has paid out of pocket approximately $3700 for two weeks of extended care and looking at need for another 6-8 weeks of 24/7 care (or longer) if her bones do not mend within that time frame.

She is facing out of pocket expenses of over $10,000 !!

In addition , in order for her to receive physical therapy, she is required to make a co-payment of $50 per session or not receive it all. She greatly needs to be able to continue therapy while at the facility to maintain her strength and mobility to help her be able to return home.

We hope you will find it in your heart to help our dear friend and neighbor Ms. Caroline with her mounting medical expenses. She is a very deserving and God loving woman who has suffered a very traumatic event. Even if all goes well, she is facing a very long recovery time of 8-9 months or more.

We appreciate so much any donation you can make. Those who know me will know I would not be asking if the situation were not dire.

We also would like to ask for your prayers for the healing of Caroline.

We pray for her to be able to return back to us and to her home.

Many many thanks for anything you can contribute to helping another in need. Please forward and share this request to help us reach out to as many people as possible !