Recovery support for Ed Smith

Our favorite local old school tattooer, Ed Smith has been going through a very difficult time battling pancreatitis. Back in October of 2023, Ed was taken to Wooster hospital with severe abdominal pain where they determined he had stones in the gallbladder, a severe case of pancreatitis and some type of an internal infection. Ed endured a week in the Wooster ICU where he was stabilized and then transferred to Cleveland Clinic main campus for further care. While at the Cleveland clinic, Ed was able to improve through medicine, therapy and around the clock care. The doctors told him that he had basically survived a brush with death and that 75% of his pancreas had died due to the pancreatitis. Because of this, Ed was going to have to be on medicine for the foreseeable future and continue to see his doctors regularly, but he was able to finally return home and begin the long recovery.

While being back home, Ed showed great signs of improvement and was starting to feel more like himself again. He went from needing a wheelchair to walking again and getting around on his own, and was even starting to make it back into work a little bit. Things were looking great and Ed was excited to be getting back to normal. Then out of nowhere, things took a fast downward turn.

On December 5th, Ed called the squad to his home when he had severe abdominal pain and he wasn’t able to move. He was taken back to Cleveland clinic main campus and placed in the ICU where it was determined he had necrotizing pancreatitis. The 75% of Ed’s pancreas that didn’t make it had turned against him and turned necrotic, causing a massive and potentially lethal infection. Ed is still currently in the Cleveland clinic ICU as of today 01/08/24. He has dealt with several other life threatening complications while there, all stemming from the infection, but he keeps bouncing back and showing improvement. Things are looking positive for the time being, but it’s going to be a long road to recovery. Once cleared to leave the ICU, Ed will likely have to spend a month or more in a specialized rehabilitation facility since he’s been in a hospital bed for a month now without movement. Things won’t be easy but we’re expecting Ed to make a full recovery!

With Ed going to be out of work for quite awhile and the monthly bills/expenses still stacking up, a go fund me seemed like a good option to help Ed deal with the stress of financial burden. We know there are a lot of people out there that care about Ed and would be happy to help the guy out in his time of need. Some people reading this probably didn’t know Ed was back in the hospital and he’s sorry if you’ve messaged him and he hasn’t responded. He doesn’t want anyone thinking he’s ignoring them or doesn’t appreciate them. It’s just hard for him to get to everyone at the moment. Even when Ed’s at his worst he still cares more about the other people in his life.

If you know Ed then you know he never wants to be a burden to anyone and is always the guy that will be there for other people. When asked about starting a go fund me he was hesitant but agreed to it and said it would be ok to share some of his medical situation so people would know what was going on.

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and Ed couldn’t thank you guys enough for helping him out in his time of need. It means the world to him.

Please continue to keep Ed in your thoughts and prayers and let’s get this guy home healthy!