Support Lois Gray During Surgery & Recovery

Brittney here, Lois Gray's daughter, inviting her community to help support her during an unexpected hospitalization and upcoming post-op recovery.

Mom (or Lois, as you probably know her! ;) experienced the rupture of her appendix over the holiday weekend. She has been hospitalized since early Christmas morning.

As of the morning of December 29th, no surgery has been performed. She is being held and closely monitored in the hope that her body will create an abscess that will allow for the least invasive surgery possible. We're being told that we will know by Friday, December 30th if an abscess has formed. If it has not, she will be in for a much more invasive surgery that will involve a significant opening of her abdomen and the removal of part of her colon. Either way, it's looking like we can expect a pretty lengthy recovery period. It may be some time before she's able to return to the job that she dearly loves at Overland Sheep Company in Santa Fe.

2022 has been a very challenging year for my mom. As you may know, her beloved husband and best friend of 25+ years, Dirk Gray, passed away in March during heart surgery. Shortly after Dirk's death, her own heart gave out; she died and was revived twice. The doctors referred to this as "broken heart syndrome," and as a result, she wound up receiving a heart surgery of her own. She has spent these past months attempting to recover mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially, all while grieving and adjusting to a strange new existence without her spouse. She has shared with me that this has been the most difficult time she can remember - and she has lived through some very trying times!

My hope is that this campaign will help us join together to make 2023 a better year for my mom. Even though her New Year will begin in a hospital bed, there's a lot we can do to help bring her some peace of heart and mind.

Mom's primary concern right now is her financial situation. She has been living paycheck to paycheck since Dirk's death and is still receiving bills for Dirk's heart treatment, as well as her own. Now she is and will continue to be out of work as she recovers from this impending surgery, and she is very worried about how she is going to support herself and her dogs during this time. We are deeply grateful for any donation you can make towards helping her make it through this recovery period. Your offering will be used to cover medical bills and monthly expenses incurred during her recovery (paying for rent, groceries, pet food, utilities, assistance, etc).

The other thing we all can do as it feels light is to make an effort to remind her that she has support and is not alone. Although her energy level is too low to take visitors or phone calls at the moment, she loves cards and flowers, and even a text or email now and then just to check in will be appreciated. Your prayers are deeply appreciated and make a huge difference.

Thank you so much, dear friends, for doing what you can to be there for Lois during this difficult time! As her daughter, I feel so much love and gratitude for those of you who are here for her now and have been throughout the years. <3

With heart,

Brittney & Family

ADDRESS INFORMATION FOR CARDS & FLOWERS

Lois Gray

941 Calle Mejia Apt 601

Santa Fe, NM 87501