Hi this is Sandi and I'm setting up this fundraiser for my friend/sister Lara.

She works so hard every day not only at her job but also on her native plant garden. She helps others get to work and with their gardens too. Lara is a force helping nature. She helps local charities behind the scenes and many don't even know she is part of the help they get, but she doesn't want recognition, just to help.

A few weeks ago she started getting headaches. They started just as no big deal, take a Tylenol and move on with her day. Like all of us, she initially dismissed it as normal stuff, not enough sleep, not eating enough, etc. there was some neck pain. Maybe I slept funny....

The headaches progressed to getting so bad that by early afternoon she couldn't continue to work.

Finally one morning she couldn't start working. She went to the ER. This was during labor day weekend.

St. Mary's immediately transferred her to Community. They asked me to meet her there. Community has a neurological department. A team of doctor and nurses came in shortly after we got settled in. They asked questions, left, came back, and seemed to have a plan.

Tests were ordered. Then more tests.

Lara was at Community for 5 days. Her poor dogs and cats missed her terribly. The holiday weekend delayed some tests/results/treatments I'm sure.

The verdict was she had a spontaneous leak in her spinal cord. They said there was a nonsurgical way that should fix it. Inject her own blood into the spine to clot the leak.

She finally got to go home.

They told her to take it easy and she started easing back into work. At first she felt things were getting better.

Unfortunately they quickly started sliding backwards.

Her next doctor appointment is in a week. She is struggling to work an hour a day. Bills are not stopping.

It's so hard for her to not be out making a living. She's a strong, independent woman.

But sometimes you need help. I'm hoping some family, friends, even strangers might be able to chip in a few bucks to alleviate some of the stress of not being able to work. I appreciate your kindness and I know she will too when she sees this. Thank you!