Support Bonnie's Recovery After Brain Surgery

Bonnie and Mike. Really good people having super hard times.

Bonnie slipped and fell. Thankfully. But now she and Mike need your help.

Bonnie started having severe headaches and nausea, so her doctors decided to admit her to the hospital for care and testing. Every day brought some new medical tests, but no answers as to a cause. Not even a clue. Bonnie was patiently living day to day in the hospital, away from home, the pain growing. On her way to the restroom one day, she randomly slipped, fell, and hit her head. Yes, THANKFULLY, she hit her head. And protocol dictated that they perform a CT scan. Absolute proof that the universe works in very mysterious ways.

The scan was negative for trauma and bleeding (nothing had happened as a result of the fall), but something was showing that didn’t belong, in the area of the brain called the cerebellum. Doctors then quickly did an MRI, which showed an abscess.

Thankfully, she had fallen! Doctors scheduled emergency brain surgery for the following day. The evening before Thanksgiving.

Who gets emergency brain surgery?!? Who even hears the words “emergency brain surgery”?? (Well, unless we’re watching Grey’s Anatomy.)

The surgery was lengthy and scary, but successful. We’re so grateful for the entire staff at Rochester’s Highland Hospital. The mass was removed, and after a few days, it was determined to be a specific type of infection. Something with a name. Something with a known, although prolonged, treatment. Home nursing care, daily IV antibiotics, physical therapy to re-learn common, everyday actions, among other types of care.

This most recent event is just one small part of Mike’s and Bonnie’s recent story. A couple known for their strong faith, and their ever-present commitment to fitness and health.

After a lifetime of wellness, Bonnie has been in and out of the hospital for the past couple of years.

Kidney failure and long-term need for dialysis. Pneumonia. The brain infection. She has been away from work more than at work.

Meanwhile, after a successful almost 20-year career with one employer, Mike lost his job when the company closed during the pandemic. A successful former Marine Corps Sergeant with an honorable discharge, he has somehow struggled to find the right fit until very recently, cycling through four new jobs in as many years … devastating income loss during Bonnie’s multiple lengthy and expensive health crises.

Mike is extremely happy with the job he’s at now, but he’s struggling to find time to do everything required to care for Bonnie, while trying to hold down the fort at home, and be at work. He has exhausted all his Paid Time Off, and has not been employed long enough to be eligible for NY’s Paid Family Leave. The hits keep on coming, and the pile of bills keeps on growing. Everything has been unexpected.

Mike and Bonnie are currently estimating that at least $40,000 will be needed to help them out of their hole. Funds that will go towards the mountain of medical bills already received, for ongoing home nursing care, and maybe even some time for Mike to be home without income, as he and Bonnie try to create some health and stability.

Can you help? Any amount, large or small, will be received with deep appreciation. Thank you for considering our request.

With love,

Mary (Mike’s sister)