Support Crystal During Her Fight Towards Recovery

This year has been one of the hardest battles my mom, Crystal, has ever faced. It began on January 14th with what seemed like just another hospital trip but quickly turned into a nightmare. She rushed to the ER with severe abdominal pain. Doctors discovered a small bowel obstruction and admitted her to University Hospitals in Cleveland for surgery the next day.

Although the January 15th surgery was said to have gone well, her pain never eased. She couldn’t eat, drink, or pass gas, and something in her heart told her something was very wrong. She kept telling the doctors, and finally, on January 20th, one physician listened and ordered a CT scan. The results shocked everyone—her bowel had perforated, and a large pocket of fluid and gas had formed in her abdomen. She was rushed into emergency surgery the same day and when they operated, they discovered part of her bowel was dead and it had to be removed. She then had to spend time in the ICU before beginning a slow recovery because she went septic during surgery. 

She was hospitalized for 19 days, enduring painful treatments, an NG tube, wound vacs, and strong antibiotics. But unfortunately, her struggles didn’t end there.

In the months that followed, her incision never healed properly. She had ongoing pain, drainage, and swelling, but her concerns were brushed aside by her doctors. Frustrated and desperate for answers, she sought out a new doctor. That’s when the truth finally came out—there was an abscess under the incision. In June, they had to surgically open the wound, and she had to have the wound vac put back on. She has been living with the wound vac ever since. 

Within this past week, she had a wound culture done which revealed two different kinds of staph infections, requiring more antibiotics. On top of this, she had been experiencing severe wrist pain which led her to a specialist, only to find it is caused by a torn tendon—meaning more doctor visits, a brace, and now a hand surgeon.

Worst of all, she no longer has a job at St. John's Hospital. As University Hospitals eliminated her position since she ran out of job protection since she has been on medical for so long, they will give her 3 months to find a job in the system when she's released from medical leave (she is not guaranteed one) before they terminate her.

The physical pain, medical uncertainty, and constant procedures have been overwhelming. But the financial strain has been just as heavy—her short-term disability has ended, and she’s been left without steady income while still facing a mountain of medical bills.

Through all of this, my mom has shown incredible strength and faith, but she cannot face this alone. We are asking for help to relieve some of the financial burden so she can focus on her recovery instead of worrying about finances.

If you feel led to give, no matter how small the amount, it will make a world of difference. And above all, we ask for your continued prayers for healing, strength, and provision.