Please consider helping my grandparents as my nana seeks necessary medical treatment. On March 9, 2025, my grandmother (a mother figure, who has lovingly raised me since infancy) Debbra (Debbie) McKinney-Shimp had a heart attack. Little did we know, this was the beginning and she would be in the hospital for 102 days (and counting), recently relocating from Forrest General in Hattiesburg, MS to Ochsner in New Orleans (blessed to be accepted). A double bypass was performed March 17, but she had multiple strokes during surgery lead to paralysis in the left arm and leg. She has been extremely weak, dealing with Pneumonia and other regressive conditions so we are still struggling to regain function and independence. She began going into respiratory distress frequently and has had 500-700mL fluid drained a number of times. Her kidney function began depleting rapidly, from 60% function April 20 to 14% in early June. After months in the hospital without answers, she was deemed an “interesting case” first leaving the medical professionals in Mississippi stumped.

Nephrology at FGH concluded narrowing in the arteries to the kidney (both left and right) may cause sudden depletion and instability. Narrowing in R is certain, tests so far were inconclusive about the left. While not a cure, they can perform angioplasty and stent the arteries to her kidney. This may help stabilize her kidney and lung function and potentially reduce her extremely high blood pressure, but it is a risky procedure for her. FGH’s Vascular surgery team was not willing to attempt due to risk of stroke, etc. but the nephrologists were convinced she fits the smaller percentage where it’s a strong possibility to a better life. The team at Ochsner scheduled angioplasty/stent, but they are monitoring the situation, her blood pressure, oxygen, fluid on lungs etc.

In a constant battle of one step forward and two back, we have our faith in god and the team at Ochsner to do what’s best for her. She has become very tired and very scared. We are doing everything we can to seek treatment. However, the time here and cost are indeed piling up. I am creating this GoFundMe by request of a generous person very dear to my grandmother. The intent is to help my grandparents cover medical expenses and lodging/dining while we continue the treatment plan at Ochsner, the angioplasty, etc. and work to stabilize her oxygen levels, blood pressure, fluid, kidney function, etc and ultimately to save her life.

Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you kindly in advance for any assistance you are willing to lend my family in this time.