Please help with Karen's care and support

Angie and Chris Mayes's mother, Karen's Story

My name is Tim Truelove. I've been known to share a story or two with my Facebook friends. l'm compelled to put pen to paper this time because we're now in the midst of the holiday season. We don't expect life to interrupt our best laid plans, but we have little control over it. grappled with setting the stage for Karen's story, because want to honor her and maintain her dignity, as I share this personal journey and plea. My dear friend, Karen, is the Matriarch of her family. First and foremost, she's everyone's rock. You won't meet a better wife, Mother, Grandmother or sister. She's a fierce protector of her people. Years ago, I remember her son being in a near fatal accident and her selflessly caring for him. I'm happy to say he made a full recovery. It was in part due to Karen's loving care. Last week was like most weeks for Karen and her husband, Albert. They have a busy house which calls for both their efforts. After 30 years of rescuing dogs they are, for the first time, down to four dogs between the ages of 5- 14 along with a cat who adopted them last year. On occasion Albert works out of town and was back home by Saturday, which was a blessing in the midst of what transpired. Albert came into the house and found Karen unconscious on the floor. EMS thought they were dealing with Karen having had a stroke and timing was of the essence. Upon arrival at Onslow, it was determined she'd suffered a brain aneurysm which called for transport by Life-Flight to New Hanover Regional Medical in Wilmington. She was in surgery for the rupture for four hours. As frightening as this story is, there are blessings along the way. Several days have passed and Karen remains unresponsive much of the time. but there are glimpses of progress with the fact that she needs to be kept in such a sedated state to give her brain time to start the slow process of recovery.

Anytime a loved one is suffering it becomes a family affair. Under the best of circumstances, Karen's journey back to good health will be a long one, likely rehabilitation/therapy. She along with Albert, her daughter Angie, son Chris and her beloved sisters Dolores and Tina will need all the love and support they can get. Karen is an hour from home in the hospital and her adult kids are much further away and, along with Albert, have jobs to maintain. It's unfathomable the concerns of money and care involved with getting this angel who walks amongst us back to being the Matriarch this family depends on. So, if you can find it in your heart, please donate to their "Go Fund Me" effort. This fund is to alieviate some of the financial burdens the family will be incurring on many different levels. She has been given another chance at life and needs to focus on recovery and not the worries of financial burdens.

In closing, no donation is too small. If you can't donate, please keep Karen and her family lifted up in prayer. This wasn't the Thanksgiving story had planned to share this year, but it is indeed a story of Thanksgiving knowing my dear beloved friend is surviving and have to believe she will once again thrive. God bless! We have so much to continue to be grateful for. Karen, we love you to the moon and back. All my love, Timmy