Support Cindy Easley's Recovery - Spinal Stroke
Donation protected
Support Cynthea "Cindy" Easley's Healing & Recovery from Spinal Stroke as a result of an Aorta Aneurysm
On November 22nd, 2020, my sister Cindy Easley was sitting on her couch relaxing and looking forward to her upcoming spring retirement after 24 years of working as an Animal Control Officer for the City of Los Angeles. She had just returned from working at a Dog Herding event that she had attended for three days. She was planning to spend her retirement years working in and attending Dog Herding events and competitions. The next minute she began to feel dizzy, had trouble breathing, and was experiencing pain. She tried to stand up, but her legs gave way and she collapsed. She couldn't feel her legs. Cindy called 911 and was rushed to the hospital.
I received a call that my sister was in emergency surgery and they were not sure if she was going to make it. Calling my siblings was so hard, but not being able to go to the hospital to be with her, due to Covid-19 was the worst. Thankfully, Cindy survived the surgery. She was on a breathing machine and in the intensive care unit, heavily sedated. Her lung collapsed, and we knew she wasn't out of the woods yet. My siblings and I hoped for the best. When Cindy woke up, she could not feel anything from the waist down. She began ripping the I.V.'s from her arms. They decided she needed to be sedated again for her own safety. If you know Cindy, then you know, she is a happy, tough, take no bull kind of girl. This journey she is now on is so heartbreaking to see. She remained in intensive care for a while, and when I finally could speak to her by phone, all she could ask, was "when are you taking me home? I need to see my dogs!" She recently was transferred to Ballard Rehabilitation Hospital, but they will be discharging her soon, and she will have to go home. Life is going to be substantially altered for my dear sister and our family. We cannot do it alone.
Cindy is going to have to learn to sit up, and is currently working on getting her strength back. At this point, she has been told to prepare for a life as a paraplegic. This news is disheartening and with all of the new stem-cell therapies, we will remain hopeful that she will get to run and walk with her dogs again. All things are possible, and I believe in miracles.
So, here's where Cindy needs your help. Cindy's house will have to become wheelchair friendly ASAP, like yesterday! She is going to have some major expenses such as, medical equipment, home renovations so that she can enter her bathroom and of course will she need a wheelchair entry shower. Counters will eventually need to be lowered and who knows what else. None of this will be covered by health insurance. She will need constant care, for some time. She cannot be alone, and at this point she can't drive, and basically is going to need full time live-in care.
If you know Cindy, then you know she has the biggest heart and is always willing to help anyone, be it a fellow human being, or a two or four-legged animal. Growing up with Cindy as a big sister, made me believe she was invincible. I know I am not alone in wanting Cindy to walk again and run with her animals, which are so dear to her.
Donations are desperately needed to fund Cindy's recovery, immediate needs and future needs. Her self-esteem is low, but understandable given the situation that she now faces. Please join me in showing Cindy how much we love and care for her. We will also be looking into stem cell therapies which are costly, but, we believe will enable her to be back to her old self and walking again. Thank you for keeping my sister, Cindy Easley in your thoughts.
On November 22nd, 2020, my sister Cindy Easley was sitting on her couch relaxing and looking forward to her upcoming spring retirement after 24 years of working as an Animal Control Officer for the City of Los Angeles. She had just returned from working at a Dog Herding event that she had attended for three days. She was planning to spend her retirement years working in and attending Dog Herding events and competitions. The next minute she began to feel dizzy, had trouble breathing, and was experiencing pain. She tried to stand up, but her legs gave way and she collapsed. She couldn't feel her legs. Cindy called 911 and was rushed to the hospital.
I received a call that my sister was in emergency surgery and they were not sure if she was going to make it. Calling my siblings was so hard, but not being able to go to the hospital to be with her, due to Covid-19 was the worst. Thankfully, Cindy survived the surgery. She was on a breathing machine and in the intensive care unit, heavily sedated. Her lung collapsed, and we knew she wasn't out of the woods yet. My siblings and I hoped for the best. When Cindy woke up, she could not feel anything from the waist down. She began ripping the I.V.'s from her arms. They decided she needed to be sedated again for her own safety. If you know Cindy, then you know, she is a happy, tough, take no bull kind of girl. This journey she is now on is so heartbreaking to see. She remained in intensive care for a while, and when I finally could speak to her by phone, all she could ask, was "when are you taking me home? I need to see my dogs!" She recently was transferred to Ballard Rehabilitation Hospital, but they will be discharging her soon, and she will have to go home. Life is going to be substantially altered for my dear sister and our family. We cannot do it alone.
Cindy is going to have to learn to sit up, and is currently working on getting her strength back. At this point, she has been told to prepare for a life as a paraplegic. This news is disheartening and with all of the new stem-cell therapies, we will remain hopeful that she will get to run and walk with her dogs again. All things are possible, and I believe in miracles.
So, here's where Cindy needs your help. Cindy's house will have to become wheelchair friendly ASAP, like yesterday! She is going to have some major expenses such as, medical equipment, home renovations so that she can enter her bathroom and of course will she need a wheelchair entry shower. Counters will eventually need to be lowered and who knows what else. None of this will be covered by health insurance. She will need constant care, for some time. She cannot be alone, and at this point she can't drive, and basically is going to need full time live-in care.
If you know Cindy, then you know she has the biggest heart and is always willing to help anyone, be it a fellow human being, or a two or four-legged animal. Growing up with Cindy as a big sister, made me believe she was invincible. I know I am not alone in wanting Cindy to walk again and run with her animals, which are so dear to her.
Donations are desperately needed to fund Cindy's recovery, immediate needs and future needs. Her self-esteem is low, but understandable given the situation that she now faces. Please join me in showing Cindy how much we love and care for her. We will also be looking into stem cell therapies which are costly, but, we believe will enable her to be back to her old self and walking again. Thank you for keeping my sister, Cindy Easley in your thoughts.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa Rehbein
Organizer
Riverside, CA
C Easley
Beneficiary