Stacy Pickering Stroke...Time's Up...They Need ❤️

Count your Blessings Today! You are never promised what tomorrow will bring. (Pictures above were taken just months apart Fall 2021/Spring2022.)

You never know how fast your whole world can change!

On February 7th, 2022, Stacy William Pickering (my brother-in-law) at the young age of 56 got up for work on a Monday morning, just like every Monday he had done for the last 31 years.

Stacy loved his job, but this particular Monday, he sat down in his recliner at home for just what he thought would be for a few minutes. Stacy had no idea just how his life would change in the next few hours that followed

His wife, my sister Patty, said she saw him in the recliner and asked him a question. Stacy now was in a slumped position, half in and half out of the recliner. He tried to answer, but Patty could not understand and Stacy was slurring his speech. Panic set in; she knew something was wrong. Patty called 911 and a neighbor for extra immediate help

Stacy was taken to an Illinois hospital about 15 minutes from their home, where Patty was informed Stacy had suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke, and it appeared his brain was still bleeding. The hospital brought in a priest (Stacy said he remembers the priest ...that had to scare him) and the hospital informed my sister they were not equipped to handle him in his condition, and they then made arrangements and rushed him to one of the larger hospitals in St Louis.

There was no time to wait, Stacy underwent brain surgery to stop the bleeding, in which after he came out they immediately found the surgery did not stop it. Off he went for brain surgery # 2 late in the day, and after hours more of procedures, they again brought him out feeling satisfied they stopped the bleeding. Stacy was was in serious condition; every minute and hour counted as his brain swelling would have to come down as they kept him sedated so he would not wake up, and they incubate him (vent) until he actually could breathe on his own, which would be sometime in the future. We sat...We prayed.

It took what seemed like forever for Stacy to breathe on his own and they had to insert a feeding tube while he was incubated to make certain he would keep up his strength.

Little by little "baby steps" Stacy got stronger and could sit up and even take calls from his work (he was the active person in charge there) so his employer and co-workers could continue to operate systems efficiently while he was out. He helped them all he could taking calls even in ICU as they needed questions answered. Stacy never complained. He knew he was Blessed, as we all did, just for him to make it through what he had just come through. It was apparent God still had a plan for him

There was never a doubt Stacy had some definite challenges ahead. His Drs told him it was not going to be a marathon, it was going to be a journey, but with his handicap being on his left side (which shows little to no movement) they would teach him how to get in and out of wheelchairs, cars, and even bed. Their focus seemed to be to strengthen the right side and use stimulants on his left. Stacy was game to start rehab work and seemed to improve daily.

Stacy left the hospital after many weeks and was taken to a state of art rehab center where they continued to work on him...Then the day came...The story that most family and friends do not know...

Even though Stacy was talking to work and working with co-workers by phone throughout his hospital and rehab stay...it must not have mattered. After 31 years of working and running this St Louis-based company, they sent notice that his position with the company was terminated. This was just days before he was being released to go home. Devastated and scared for their future Stacy was then released to go home. Now with no job to return to. No income. Just like that.

The day he was coming home, everyone was kind of nervous, I imagine any lay person wanting to make sure they are doing things correctly for their spouse they have to be nervous.

While driving home my sister, Patty receives a call as she is following the ambulance to their home. It was Home Health Care calling that was assigned to greet Stacy when he arrived home.

Stacy's Health Care provider proceeded to inform Patty they will not be able to come help her with Stacy because of an "insurance problem."

Patty was told It appears that Stacy's employer cancelled all his insurance. Wow....No Notice...How does someone have a stroke and is supposed to continue living and expected to get better when you can't get help because your insurance is canceled!!! (No comments needed, please, someday the choices his company made will be resolved)

Petrified about what is going to happen next, and how she will ever tell Stacy, who just went through a major stroke, 2 brain surgeries, and pain-staking rehabilitation exercises, to just come home...and now have no one to ell her how to provide good care for her husband. I don't know about you, But I would have probably lost it about that time....But not Patty....Her Concern was How would she ever tell him? She did eventually tell him a few days later, after making numerous calls and hours spent to just secure insurance for him herself. Patty was so ever careful not to promote depression and severe anxiety after what Stacy just went through. I however, thought and worried for those few days, and I must say I worried enough for all of us. How does someone fix this? Prayer is all I knew to do.

When lying awake one of those nights unable to sleep, my husband Gary mentioned a "GoFundMe page." I did not even think Gary believed in those pages but I took it as a great solution. I felt a God ping that this was good, and if done out of love, it certainly can't hurt, so here we are. I already knew the way we were raised my sister Patty probably would not like it as she always is a servant for others. She would give anyone anything if they needed it.

True story, When all this first happened, she said Stacy survived the stroke a little broken, but they are working on that and will continue, she has God, her family, her dogs, and our Dad so she can just as easy if needed. "Live in a van down by the river" (Chris Farley quote from SNL), and still she she said, I would be happy

Just in case your wondering, my sister did not just sit and watch things tumble, she did some great things and put wheels in motion: Patty immediately put Cobra in place for Stacy's insurance; Cobra cost her over $2,300 a month, but it had to be done. He has to have insurance. She applied for disability, and we figure it may be 8-10 months out, if not longer. She hired someone to find out why Stacy was fired and why in the world they would cancel his insurance when the man worked for them for 31 years...but we all know, that that could take years to get answers

I know my sister has to be worried, but she never says a word. There are so many friends who are helping with their yard, making some food, full dinners, and sweets through the week. Others have done home repairs on her roof from a storm and others have taken care of and continue to help with things around their house...From the bottom of our hearts...to all of you......Thank you. My heart is full of gratitude, and I know Patty and Stacy are forever grateful.

The biggest problem is: We can't stop the bills from coming in. Astronomical Medical Bills with higher deductibles, real estate taxes, house payments, home insurance, food, electricity, water, gas to take Stacy to rehab and Dr appointments, they need a handicapped accessible van (if you know of any great deals out there), and the list goes on. Patty currently slides Stacy in and out of a regular car, and although that works, we are fearful that, within a couple of months, Patty will overdo it and then be out for everyday care for Stacy.

Patty and Stacy had money saved for a rainy day (they will probably not be happy I am sharing this, but we have to let you know), but I also know through conversations, and I have personally watched 10's upon 10's of thousands go out to pay bills in just a few months since he's home.

We have made phone calls and reached out to other sources in maybe helping them get financial assistance.... No, go...they have assets (home etc.) so they cannot get food stamps or get financial aid. That stinks. No income.. I do not understand our system..but that is a problem and solution for another day

We have No More Time...Time's Up for them...We need some ❤️❤️❤️

So, Family and Friends, we have started this Go Fund Me account to ease the burden of Stacy and Patty. They have no income coming in, Patty is at home making sure Stacy gets to different Dr. Appointments, rehab, or anywhere else she needs to run. Not to mention our 90-year-old father lives there, and he cannot help Stacy should he for some reason need help if Patty is gone

This fund will enable Patty to concentrate on Stacy's Journey ahead. We know eventually, some money will come in, but with your love and kindness now...they will be fine.

Please don't think any amount is too small. Honestly, $5 is plenty if that is what you wish to give; I would not want you to feel you need to give any more than that. I truly believe in my heart that there are enough people out there that we will surpass our goal for Stacy

So, if you can offer a Love Donation of any type, it is so so appreciated.

If you read this and feel like you want to write Stacy and/or Patty any words of encouragement or send a card, please do so. I know they would love that! For safety, just reach out to me through FB, and I will supply an address to which we will send all the notes and cards.

Thank you for reading this (I know it's long, but I wanted you to have the WHOLE story) My sister would hold it in forever...I can't!

God Bless Each and Every One of You

Forever Grateful,

Gerry and Gary Davidson Family

PS....I have never done this before, yet our Mother always taught Patty and I that Anything is Possible!!!

Let's Do This!!! Let's show them together what LOVE can really do!!!

if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” Matthew 17:20