Support Bernie’s Long Road to Recovery

Hi relatives and friends,

My siblings and our dad want to provide an update and ask for continued prayers for our mom Bernie. For our family, the last few weeks have been heartbreaking and exhausting, both physically and emotionally. To see her in this condition leaves us feeling helpless. That all being said, we know two things for sure: she is a fighter and she is so strong - one of the strongest we know, for all she has endured thus far.

A few weeks ago, she underwent surgery on her kidney and developed what we thought was sepsis and pneumonia. After a couple of days at Avera St. Marys in Pierre, symptoms worsened, which led to many different tests including EKGs and CT scans. Results showed air around her brain and damage to the heart.

She was flown to Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls. After a week of additional tests, doctors determined that she had weak areas around the brain which have been allowing air in around the brain and fluid to leak out through her nose (we thought was a runny nose from pneumonia). She was then referred and transported to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in order to receive care and undergo additional surgeries with special Neurosurgeons, Cardiologists, ENTs, and Infectious Disease specialists. 

 

We are currently at the hospital awaiting the next surgery and have been advised that her care, treatment, and recovery will take months. All of this will need to happen in Minneapolis. Our family is preparing for a long journey to provide the care and support she needs. We anticipate the costs of doctors, her rehab, and transportation and lodging for family taking care of her will be significant. Any support to cover expenses is very much appreciated. Most importantly, we ask for your continued prayers.

She is so important to so many people, as a mom, sister, wife, auntie, cousin, grandmother, and friend. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has reached out and provided support. All the love, prayers and support you have sent mean the world to us.