RN Lara, her husband Matt, and their children

This is a letter from Lara's husband Matt......

My wife Lara is just like you.

She is an honest, hardworking, compassionate, caring, loving person. She was gifted with a strong work ethic and a heart that deeply cares about everyone she comes in contact with.

Because of all of these qualities, I believe that Lara decided to pursue a career in nursing. For almost 10 years she has been on the front lines fighting the good fight. She was there through Covid, holding patients hands as they passed and comforting their loved ones through their time of grief. She did all of this with such grace and humility, and I know first hand how all of these things have taken a toll on her mentally. It has never been “just a job” to Lara. It is her duty. It is her life.

Starting after Christmas 2022, Lara started suffering from extreme headaches. On January 5, 2023, the doctors found a large mass on her brain that covered 85-90% of her left lobe. After a scare of it being cancer, it was finally diagnosed as 2 rare brain infections called Mycobacterium Avium and Mycobacterium Mucogenicum. Typically these infections are found in the lungs and for the most part can be easily treated.

Unfortunately is not as simple in Lara’s case. Her infection is extremely rare in the brain. There are not many cases reported each year and there is not very much literature on how to treat it.

Since the whole process has started, Lara has had numerous close calls. She would get better for a short time, only to get worse. It is “1 step forward, 2 steps back”. It’s very (expensive?). On March 25, 2023 Lara endured a craniotomy. Doctors removed the left side of her skull to alleviate swelling in her brain. If they did not do this procedure, Lara would have started having multiple seizures and strokes and ultimately would have passed away.

Since Lara’s surgery, Lara has still had multiple ups and downs. She had developed pretty bad aphasia, making it difficult to understand exactly what it is she is talking about. Some of the medication she is on has cause her to break out in a rash over her entire body.

Lara is also on numerous steroids and antibiotics. These medications have been causing her to get less and less sleep more and more.

For as her husband, all of this has been very disheartening to witness. My wife is one of the strongest women I know. To see her at the most weakest part in her life and not be able to help her has been as daily struggle of emotions. She truly is my better half. She is my heart.

Lara and I have 7 kids together, our kids range from 18 to 12 y/o. They all love and care for her in each their own ways. I for one cannot even begin to understand how they feel, when I, myself don’t know how to process everything the past few months.

Lara and I have made our life together on a small piece of land in an old log home in Southern Indiana. This is our little slice of heaven.

Neither Lara or I can ever anyone to ask for help, but if there is any way Lara’s story has touched you, your help in paying her medical bills is greatly appreciated. Know that you care, as Lara does mean the world to our family.

Thank you for reading.

Matt Sampson