BERNIE FACES PARALYSIS WITHOUT MAJOR NECK SURGERY — OCTOBER 6 IS NOW OUR MOST CRITICAL DATE

OUR NEW URGENT GOAL: $60,000

I never imagined that after everything Bernie has already survived, I would be writing these words.

After extensive testing this week and further evaluation by his neurosurgeon, we have received the news we have feared most.

Bernie has been advised to undergo major cervical fusion surgery on October 6, 2026.

The operation could take as long as six hours.

He may remain hospitalized for up to five days, depending upon his condition following surgery. From there, he is expected to require care in a rehabilitation facility before he can safely return home.

And we have been given a devastating picture of what could happen without this surgery:

Bernie faces becoming completely paralyzed.

There are simply no words to describe how frightened I am.

I am Bernie’s wife, Mindy. I am also a registered nurse who has spent decades caring for others. Yet nothing in my professional life could ever have prepared me for watching the man I love go through this.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

For those who are new to Bernie’s story, our nightmare began escalating dramatically in October 2025.

On October 17, 2025, Bernie was rushed to the hospital with chest pain. Doctors discovered a severe blockage in his right coronary artery, requiring the placement of his fifth cardiac stent.

Bernie already had a significant cardiac history, including triple bypass surgery.

We were grateful that he survived another cardiac crisis and hoped that once his heart was stabilized, we could finally concentrate on getting him stronger.

We had no idea what was coming.

FEBRUARY 2026 — FOUR SPINAL PROCEDURES AND TEN HOURS OF SURGERY

Bernie’s spinal condition had become increasingly serious.

On February 12, 2026, he underwent approximately 10 hours of surgery involving four spinal procedures.

We hoped those surgeries would give Bernie back some of the independence he had been losing.

Instead, what followed was month after month of medical complications, pain, weakness, hospitalizations and frightening changes in his ability to function.

Bernie experienced problems including urinary retention, bleeding, fever, severe pain and dangerously low blood pressure. He required repeated hospital care.

The recovery we had prayed for simply did not happen.

BERNIE CONTINUED TO DECLINE

As the months passed, Bernie became progressively weaker.

His balance deteriorated. Walking became increasingly dangerous. He began falling.

His ability to use his hands deteriorated so severely that even ordinary activities became difficult. There were times when he could not properly hold utensils or cut his own food.

I watched a fiercely independent man become increasingly dependent upon me for the most basic things.

And I became terrified of something that most people never think about:

One fall.

One wrong movement.

One moment when I couldn’t catch him.

As his wife and caregiver, I have been living with that fear every day.

THEN THE TESTING REVEALED SOMETHING EVEN MORE SERIOUS

Further neurological testing and imaging began showing significant problems involving the upper portion of Bernie’s cervical spine and the area where the neck meets the brain.

His condition continued to worsen.

We sought answers. We sought opinions. We prayed that there would be another way.

At different points, the risks associated with another major operation were so frightening that avoiding surgery appeared to be the safer path.

But Bernie’s condition has continued to progress.

This week, after many additional tests, his neurosurgeon advised us that Bernie should now move forward with cervical fusion surgery.

The date has been set:

OCTOBER 6, 2026.

The surgery may take as long as six hours.

Because of Bernie’s age, cardiac history and overall medical condition, the thought of such an extensive operation terrifies me.

But we are also facing the devastating alternative.

Without the surgery, Bernie faces eventual total paralysis.

How do you prepare yourself to hear something like that about your husband?

OCTOBER 6 IS ONLY THE BEGINNING

Depending upon how Bernie responds to surgery, he may remain hospitalized for as long as five days.

He will then need to go to a rehabilitation facility before returning home.

When Bernie finally does come home, we have been told to prepare for an extremely difficult postoperative period.

He will need to wear a cervical neck brace for approximately three months.

We have been advised to prepare for Bernie to be completely dependent upon others during this recovery period.

That means assistance with the basic activities of everyday life—getting out of bed, walking and transferring safely, bathing, dressing, toileting, meals and other personal needs.

And this is where we are facing another enormous crisis:

BERNIE WILL NEED EXTENSIVE FULL-TIME CARE AT HOME THAT INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER.

I cannot safely provide around-the-clock physical assistance by myself.

We are going to need help.

WHY WE ARE INCREASING OUR GOFUNDME GOAL TO $60,000

Through the extraordinary kindness of our friends, family, Bernie’s music and streaming community, the Jewish community, and even complete strangers who have been touched by his story, $33,995 has already been raised for Bernie.

Please understand what that means to us.

Those donations have helped us survive an extraordinary period of medical crises and expenses as Bernie has gone through cardiac problems, spinal surgery and recovery, repeated medical appointments and testing, mobility and safety needs, medications, transportation, home-care needs and one emergency after another.

You helped us get Bernie this far.

We will never forget it.

But when this fundraiser began, we could never have anticipated what we are facing today.

We never anticipated that in October 2026 we would be preparing for another major cervical operation followed by hospitalization, rehabilitation and potentially months of profound dependence.

That is why we are increasing Bernie’s GoFundMe goal to $60,000.

The additional funds we are trying to raise will help us prepare for private caregiving and home-care assistance that insurance does not cover, expenses associated with Bernie’s hospitalization and rehabilitation, medical transportation and travel, medical equipment and supplies, copayments and medications, additional home-safety and accessibility needs, meals and necessary deliveries, and the many unexpected expenses that can accompany a prolonged postoperative recovery.

Most importantly, we need to make sure that when Bernie finally comes home, there are enough hands to care for him safely.

THIS IS THE WORST NIGHTMARE I CAN IMAGINE

I have tried to stay strong.

I have advocated for Bernie. I have accompanied him through appointments, procedures, hospitalizations, frightening test results and falls.

I have tried to keep our household going while becoming more and more responsible for his physical care.

But today I need to admit something:

I am scared to death.

I am terrified of October 6.

I am terrified of a six-hour operation.

I am terrified of what could happen during surgery.

And I am terrified of what will happen if Bernie does not have it.

We are being forced to face circumstances that no family ever believes will happen to them.

PLEASE REMEMBER WHO BERNIE IS

Before all of these diagnoses, surgeries, braces, walkers, hospital rooms and medical bills, there was—and still is—Bernie Katzman.

Bernie is a musician.

Music has been part of his soul for virtually his entire life.

He has played piano for more than seven decades, bringing music, laughter and joy to people throughout his life.

Many people know him as Pianoimproman, through which Bernie spent years sharing his extraordinary gift and personality with an online community.

The hands and body that once allowed him to sit at the piano for hours now struggle with some of life’s most basic activities.

But inside is still Bernie.

My husband.

A father.

A musician.

A man who desperately wants to retain whatever independence and quality of life he possibly can.

WE NEED YOU FOR OCTOBER 6

To everyone who has already donated: thank you.

Please never think that because we are asking again, your previous donation did not matter.

It mattered enormously.

Your generosity helped carry Bernie to this point.

Now we are asking you to help us carry him through what may be the greatest medical challenge of his life.

If you are able to donate again—even a small amount—we would be profoundly grateful.

If you have never donated and have been following Bernie’s journey, please consider helping us now.

If you cannot donate, sharing this fundraiser is an enormous gift. Please send Bernie’s story to your family, friends, coworkers, synagogue or congregation, community groups, social-media followers or anyone who might be willing to help.

And please pray for Bernie.

Pray that his surgeons’ hands are steady.

Pray that his heart and body are strong enough.

Pray that he comes through those six hours safely.

Pray that he can rehabilitate.

Pray that I can bring my husband home.

Our mission now is simple:

Get Bernie safely to October 6.

Get him through surgery.

Get him through rehabilitation.

Bring him home.

And make sure that when he comes home, we have the help necessary to care for him safely.

From the deepest part of my heart, thank you for standing beside us during the most frightening journey our family has ever faced.

With love and gratitude,

Mindy