Shermans In Need

COVID-19 has devastated the world but I didn’t think it would hit so close to home for me. I thought if we all just follow the social distancing guidelines we would be safe.  However, that didn’t happen for my family.  I’m writing this because my entire immediate family, the most important people in my life, are in the hospital with COVID19…my mom, my dad, and my brother.  My grandmother was in the hospital as well, but, unfortunately, she recently passed away from complications of COVID19 and has been moved to a funeral home.  

Since May 7th, I have been answering phone calls multiple times a day from each one of their treatment team’s physicians.  I am the primary contact and the sole decision-maker for all of their hospital care.  My father was admitted to the hospital first with COVID-19 and shortly afterwards was also diagnosed with 2 forms of pneumonia.  He is currently in the ICU and has been placed on a ventilator.  Things began to get worse as my grandmother and mother were admitted into the hospital only days later. 

My mother was also moved to the ICU after being in the hospital for nearly 10 days.  She is currently on a ventilator as well.  Additionally, my mom’s kidneys aren’t functioning normally and she recently had to start dialysis treatment.  My brother is in the hospital and I am praying he will not be moved to the ICU.  He just completed radiation but is still getting supplemental oxygen.  My parents and brother do not know of my grandmother’s passing.  And I’m trying to stay strong for all of us. 

I’m scared, tired, angry, heartbroken, and I honestly don’t know what to do.  This has completely shaken my whole world.  There are so many things that must be handled, decisions to make, and things done.  Some days, I don’t know where to start.    

Here’s what I do know:

I know they all still have a long road to recovery possibly weeks or months.  I know that none of them will be able to work once they are discharged.  I know that 3 houses need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.  We have to pay certain funeral costs to bury my grandmother.   We have to clean and pack up her house.  The bills are mounting up for them - the regular monthly bills and the future hospital bills for 3 people as well.   

My friends and supervisors urged me to take the rest of the month off from work because of the toll this has taken on me.   I’m home daily just trying to plan and mentally prepare for that next phone call and the next decision that will need to be made.  I am staying positive and prayerful every day but this is the absolute worst time of my life.  I ask for your support because I need it.  I have no way to afford any of these things.  So, anything that you can provide will definitely be a blessing!  

To help get the word out, you can share the link to your accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.  Thank you and Be Well!  From my family to yours!