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My mom, Shannon Novitz, has always been there for me and I'm afraid of losing her due to her declining health, so I'm making this Gofundme page for her.
Bottom line, my mom desperately needs Bariatric Surgery. Her insurance doesn't cover Bariatric Surgery and she can't afford it on her own.
My mom has always struggled with her weight and is now morbidly obese with a BMI of over 70. This has caused her to develop Lymphedema. This is a potentially life-threatening condition in which the lymphatic system is broken and can no longer carry the lymph-fluid (waste from the blood) out of the body. The waste fluid builds up under the skin, usually in the legs and causes many issues, including frequent skin infections, open wounds and ulcers, and large discolored hard fibrous skin conditions. This can lead to amputation of the infected leg or even death, due to infection. After consulting with Doctors and her Lymphedema Therapist, it has been determined that losing a significant amount of weight will help many areas of her life, but especially with the Lymphedema for healthier lymph flow.
Bariatric Surgery is her only option to lose weight quickly and prevent the loss of limbs or life. This will not cure the Lymphedema, but will make it more manageable. This surgery won't only improve her quality of life, but will literally save her life. She has been actively working with the hospital and surgeon to obtain a discounted rate to make this more attainable.
Over the past few years, my mom's health has declined significantly. She also suffers from Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure and other weight related medical issues. For the past 10 years, my mom has worked out at the gym, with a personal trainer, in group training sessions, and tried every diet out there. You name it, she's done it. In 2013, she injured her ankle and everything came to a halt. She literally worked out until she couldn't walk anymore. The lack of activity and limited mobility, as well as her unhealthy eating habits, caused an almost instant weight gain of over one hundred additional pounds on her already large frame.
I love my Mom, she is an amazing person. Despite her tremendous weight gain and health issues, she continues to keep a positive attitude and greets each day head on. Though it is a struggle, she gets up each day and goes to work. Her feet are so swollen she cannot wear traditional shoes, which she wouldn't be able to put on or tie by herself anyway. She has joint and mobility issues, making getting showered and dressed a huge effort. She has to use a shower chair because she can't stand that long in the shower. She has to rest a lot while she gets ready for work. Walking is very difficult for her and she can only walk short distances at a time with the assistance of her cane. Due to her size, even driving is becoming difficult.
My mom doesn't focus on what she can't do, but on what she CAN do. She doesn't believe that Bariatric Surgery is a cure all, but a significant tool to assist her in her journey back to a better life. If she doesn't get help soon, she will no longer be able to get herself up, ready for work, and to work at her full time job. She doesn't want to rely on others to take care of her or end up on public assistance. She has always taken care of everyone else.
The surgery is very expensive. I would appreciate any donations you can afford to give. If everyone donates just a little bit, we can help her in this battle for her life. Please help me help my mom get her Bariatric surgery so she can live a better quality of life, and most of all, to be able to continue to be my mom here with me on Earth.
Bottom line, my mom desperately needs Bariatric Surgery. Her insurance doesn't cover Bariatric Surgery and she can't afford it on her own.
My mom has always struggled with her weight and is now morbidly obese with a BMI of over 70. This has caused her to develop Lymphedema. This is a potentially life-threatening condition in which the lymphatic system is broken and can no longer carry the lymph-fluid (waste from the blood) out of the body. The waste fluid builds up under the skin, usually in the legs and causes many issues, including frequent skin infections, open wounds and ulcers, and large discolored hard fibrous skin conditions. This can lead to amputation of the infected leg or even death, due to infection. After consulting with Doctors and her Lymphedema Therapist, it has been determined that losing a significant amount of weight will help many areas of her life, but especially with the Lymphedema for healthier lymph flow.
Bariatric Surgery is her only option to lose weight quickly and prevent the loss of limbs or life. This will not cure the Lymphedema, but will make it more manageable. This surgery won't only improve her quality of life, but will literally save her life. She has been actively working with the hospital and surgeon to obtain a discounted rate to make this more attainable.
Over the past few years, my mom's health has declined significantly. She also suffers from Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure and other weight related medical issues. For the past 10 years, my mom has worked out at the gym, with a personal trainer, in group training sessions, and tried every diet out there. You name it, she's done it. In 2013, she injured her ankle and everything came to a halt. She literally worked out until she couldn't walk anymore. The lack of activity and limited mobility, as well as her unhealthy eating habits, caused an almost instant weight gain of over one hundred additional pounds on her already large frame.
I love my Mom, she is an amazing person. Despite her tremendous weight gain and health issues, she continues to keep a positive attitude and greets each day head on. Though it is a struggle, she gets up each day and goes to work. Her feet are so swollen she cannot wear traditional shoes, which she wouldn't be able to put on or tie by herself anyway. She has joint and mobility issues, making getting showered and dressed a huge effort. She has to use a shower chair because she can't stand that long in the shower. She has to rest a lot while she gets ready for work. Walking is very difficult for her and she can only walk short distances at a time with the assistance of her cane. Due to her size, even driving is becoming difficult.
My mom doesn't focus on what she can't do, but on what she CAN do. She doesn't believe that Bariatric Surgery is a cure all, but a significant tool to assist her in her journey back to a better life. If she doesn't get help soon, she will no longer be able to get herself up, ready for work, and to work at her full time job. She doesn't want to rely on others to take care of her or end up on public assistance. She has always taken care of everyone else.
The surgery is very expensive. I would appreciate any donations you can afford to give. If everyone donates just a little bit, we can help her in this battle for her life. Please help me help my mom get her Bariatric surgery so she can live a better quality of life, and most of all, to be able to continue to be my mom here with me on Earth.