My name is Alex and I have been taking care of my mother Patricia for several years due to several major health issues and a lack of mobility. Until recently things have been manageable. On the morning of January 25, 2023 i was awoken by my mother telling me she was pretty sure she was having a heart attack. Sure enough she was. She has spent the last 2 weeks at Duke hospital. Her arteries were 70 to 90 percent blocked. She has had one stint put in. And its likely she will need more to help her blood flow. She hasnt been able to get around without complications from increased heart rate or issues with blood pressure further reducing her mobility and the heart attack has also made it so she needs oxygen now. Due to her mobility issues she will need equipment thatll allow her to further her pt while in a sitting position when she cant manage to walk. Low impact pt will (this is achieved with an under desk elliptical or motorized pedaling device) will increase the chances of her getting back to where she was and also help increase blood flow to ensure another heart attack is less likely and decrease chances of stroke and blood clots. This lack of mobility also means I cant work outside of the house as much as I was prior so being able to afford supplies that arent covered by medicare.

Besides the heart attack she has Ulcerative Colitis which has resulted in removal of her colon and she has an ostomy bag now. The UC has also been causing ulcers on her left leg which have been plaguing her for several years now which can effect her mobility when they are acting up. That coupled with severe arthritis that has eaten away at her hip and knee make things a nightmare for her on a regular basis. After catching Covid back in August she developed a blood clot in her right leg.

(Photo of her leg at one of its worst points with the skin issues caused by her UC)

My mom has always been there for me and I would do anything for her. If i could work more and provide the things she needs i would do so. The reality is on top of needing to care for her, my own health issues make it so that I cant work like I used to. I have Crohns and was supposed to move back to Jersey 3 years ago to start moving towards having surgery for abscesses and fistuals. Covid stopped that from happening and my issues have only gotten worse.

This is a photo from several months ago of the abscesses and fistulas I deal with. Things have gotten worse since this was taken. We have a lot of hurdles in our path and I nor my family can afford it on our own. Im not one to ask for help but I have no other options at this point. All donations go towards supplies, medical and PT equipment not covered under her insurance plan, and any expenses that cant be paid from missed work and or for supplies. Anyone who has met my mom knows she is a wonderful human being who has always welcomed everyone into her home throughout the years. Its truly heart breaking to see her always in constant pain and not being able to do anything about it. Any help you can give from a dollar to a share is greatly appreciated. Thank you,

Alex Kokawski