Hi! My name is Trista Cameron and I am raising funds for my mom, Kim Firkus (owner of Castoffs Secondhand), who suffered an ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke on Tuesday, February 4th. She was airlifted to Essentia St. Mary’s in Duluth and will be there for possibly a month or more depending on how everything goes.

The strokes stemmed from a bacterial blood infection called endocarditis of the heart, which clumps (vegetates) onto the heart and can break loose and travel to whichever destination it decides. When it broke loose it went to her brain and caused the strokes. This bacteria also caused a hole in one of her heart valves. She will be on heavy antibiotics for up to 6 weeks, rehabilitation when she is able to (including physical, speech, and occupational). There is a possibility she may need heart surgery, but the doctors are hoping the antibiotics will be all she needs. She’s still having horrible headaches and not feeling good. Hopefully the antibiotics start doing what they need to and she starts feeling better soon.

My mom is not one to ask for help, but I’m doing this to help relieve financial pressure for my dad who will be staying in Duluth at a hotel for the duration of her stay and for any other expenses incurred.

Please keep her in your prayers for a healthy recovery.