21 Surgeries, a Failing Heart, and Still Fighting

My big sister Peggy has survived more in the past decade than most could imagine—Hurricane Ian, 21 surgeries, and a heart that’s been trying to kill her ever since the 90s. She’s the toughest, kindest person I know, but the medical debt is crushing her. I want her to focus on healing, not bills.

Peggy’s Story

If you know Peggy, you know she has a heart of gold. Unfortunately, that same heart has been trying to kill her ever since she took the weight loss drug Phen-Fen in the 90s—a time when the “ideal” was Kate Moss and women were openly criticized for their appearance (you think it’s bad now—we’re still doing it, but at least we’re clapping back).

The FDA eventually pulled Phen-Fen from the market, and a sealed compensation settlement allowed her to live a good life for a while—after a quadruple bypass in her late 30s. But those good years didn’t last. Her heart kept failing, bringing more surgeries, more hospital stays, and more challenges than anyone should have to endure.

The last decade has been brutal. In addition to surviving the devastation of Hurricane Ian—which left her home in need of thousands of dollars in repairs—Peggy has undergone 21 surgeries. Yes, twenty-one. And she’s in the hospital again right now, hoping a stubborn wound (made worse by the blood thinners and medications she needs to keep her heart alive) will finally heal.

She’s missed so much because of her health—holding her grandkids, attending two of our sisters’ funerals, and the endless family gatherings the Somervilles love to have (both here in Florida and back in Ohio). I would give anything for an afternoon with her that isn’t in a hospital room, or to have her sitting at the table playing cards and laughing with the rest of us about growing up in a house with 13 kids.

Why We Need Your Help

All of this has taken a massive financial toll. We’re helping her as much as we can, but the debt keeps snowballing. The goal is simple: lift the financial stress off Peggy so she can focus every ounce of energy on healing.

How You Can Help

Every donation, no matter the size, will help Peggy focus on healing instead of worrying about debt.

Give what you can—even $10 makes a difference.

Share this page—if you can’t give right now, please consider sharing Peggy’s story with your friends, family, and social media network.

The more people who know Peggy’s story, the more support we can rally around her.

From the bottom of my heart (and Peggy’s mended one), thank you. Your kindness means more than words can say.