My wife Liz went to the emergency room on May 15th with what we thought was a painful cyst. Within hours, our lives changed forever. Doctors discovered she had undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes — her blood sugar had been silently compromising her immune system, allowing a bacterial infection to progress into Necrotizing Fasciitis, flesh-eating bacteria. She required emergency surgery that same day. She survived. She fought. And then the next crisis arrived. On May 18th, Liz suffered an acute cerebellar stroke affecting her balance and movement. She is currently in the ICU on five blood pressure medications, IV antibiotics, insulin therapy, and hourly neurological monitoring. She is unable to move her left side.

Liz is the heart of our family and the backbone of Crepe & Cream, the gourmet food truck we built together in 2018. With her hospitalization, our business has closed. There is no income coming in while we await the business sale and my new job to finalize. As an uninsured patient, we are personally responsible for all medical costs. Funds raised will cover immediate medical bills, rehabilitation costs, daily living expenses, and diabetes management after discharge. Liz has been accepted into the inpatient rehab program at HCA Florida Gulf Coast, where she will receive intensive daily therapy to rebuild her strength, balance, and mobility following her stroke. She is covered for two weeks, and we are actively working to secure insurance to bridge her care beyond that. Once discharged, Liz will require ongoing physical and occupational therapy to continue rebuilding her mobility and independence. Diabetes management is now a permanent expense, including insulin, supplies, monitoring equipment, and endocrinology follow-up.

Every dollar donated buys Liz more time, more care, and more steps toward coming home. Liz took her first steps with a walker this week and the whole rehab team cheered. She has a long road ahead — but she is on that road. If you can give, we are grateful. If you can share, you may be the reason we make it through. If all you have is a prayer — we will take it. Thank you for showing up for Liz. — Chris Cherrington, Panama City FL