This is my mom Sylvia. Many of you know her and how sweet she is, and you may also know she’s one of the toughest and most resilient human beings I know.
Her car was just stolen. This has been a gut punch for us amidst all she's endured: 5 hip surgeries, a back surgery, skilled nursing stays, prolonged physical therapy, and now beating back yet another more resistant blood infection.
Her remarkable story, short as I can make it, starts on her birthday week in 2018. With crippling pain in her hip and back, she’d contracted a staph infection that had harbored in both her spine and hip, and with a 20% survival rate. Emergency hip and spine surgery followed.
Fast forward to 2019, and 3 more surgeries (each requiring rehab) later, she manages to beat her infection while keeping a consistently positive and hopeful attitude throughout. As a family we were so relieved, thinking we’d finally crossed the finish line.
This year, Covid struck while she was expecting to see gains and new mobility. Yet another major curve ball: a second infection had been smoldering, perhaps from the last procedure. This time a more antibiotic resistant bacteria in the prosthetic. It forced an immediate 5th surgery in September. Needless to say it's been a prolonged trial for her (and her caregivers).
FF to now, half way through 8wks of intense at-home IV antibiotics 3x/day, plus 24/7 nursing care from myself and my sister, and she’s still remaining positive and hopeful. We see signs she's beating back the 2nd infection.
And then we learn her old but reliable Honda was stolen near the front of her building. A decent car but mainly invaluable for Dr’s appointments and prescriptions.
Finally I reluctantly decided it's time to ask for a some help. She deserves it. Our goal is to buy a modest but reliable pre-owned Honda Civic.
Just like heroes don’t wear capes, I suspect many with such grit don’t look the part either. Some, like my mom, are quietly killing it through tenacity, a positive outlook, and finding joy and humor in the little things.
We're not accustomed to asking for help but this theft has been a tipping point. We’re hoping some who know and admire her might be so inspired. Thank you for your time and contribution, no matter how small.
-RB
Her car was just stolen. This has been a gut punch for us amidst all she's endured: 5 hip surgeries, a back surgery, skilled nursing stays, prolonged physical therapy, and now beating back yet another more resistant blood infection.
Her remarkable story, short as I can make it, starts on her birthday week in 2018. With crippling pain in her hip and back, she’d contracted a staph infection that had harbored in both her spine and hip, and with a 20% survival rate. Emergency hip and spine surgery followed.
Fast forward to 2019, and 3 more surgeries (each requiring rehab) later, she manages to beat her infection while keeping a consistently positive and hopeful attitude throughout. As a family we were so relieved, thinking we’d finally crossed the finish line.
This year, Covid struck while she was expecting to see gains and new mobility. Yet another major curve ball: a second infection had been smoldering, perhaps from the last procedure. This time a more antibiotic resistant bacteria in the prosthetic. It forced an immediate 5th surgery in September. Needless to say it's been a prolonged trial for her (and her caregivers).
FF to now, half way through 8wks of intense at-home IV antibiotics 3x/day, plus 24/7 nursing care from myself and my sister, and she’s still remaining positive and hopeful. We see signs she's beating back the 2nd infection.
And then we learn her old but reliable Honda was stolen near the front of her building. A decent car but mainly invaluable for Dr’s appointments and prescriptions.
Finally I reluctantly decided it's time to ask for a some help. She deserves it. Our goal is to buy a modest but reliable pre-owned Honda Civic.
Just like heroes don’t wear capes, I suspect many with such grit don’t look the part either. Some, like my mom, are quietly killing it through tenacity, a positive outlook, and finding joy and humor in the little things.
We're not accustomed to asking for help but this theft has been a tipping point. We’re hoping some who know and admire her might be so inspired. Thank you for your time and contribution, no matter how small.
-RB