Supporting Linda Anne Dougherty

As you may know, my mom's health took a major turn for us all back in late March of 2018, right before she turned 71. She initially suffered what we thought was another bout of cellulitis and worked to have her in PT at a rehab center to regain the strength in her legs and gait to walk again. With the mild stroke she had in 2017, her diabetes, her mental health, and high blood pressure, many things were more taxing for her than they had been before, and in my opinion, all working against each other. There was a mental and behavioral decline and we immediately sent her back to the hospital from the nursing home she was originally at-- thinking there was cause for concern about what was happening to her brain.

We soon found out that she was suffering from lithium toxicity and at one point was unresponsive at the hospital. With intervention they were able to revive her, and also perform an ablation to her heart because of an afib and my mom, though thankfully alive, was not able to walk or talk at the time. We didn't know what to expect and believed that, though this was a huge set-back, that it was manageable. 

My mom went into another rehab facility and the goal was to work on PT again. Additionally, due to the lithium toxicity, and her age, we looked to find medication that would not be so hard on her system but unfortunately have had ups and downs with achieving the stability she needs and deserves. With multiple trips to hospitals, she was bedridden and then not working on her walking needs again. She also developed wounds on her feet that have taken an incredibly long time to heal, and unfortunately have reopened at times; setting us back more and extending any stays at the nursing home. 

With multiple bills coming in and with insurance denying payment of some, though we are constantly appealing, we are working hard to find ways to pay for the needs of my mom. We have gone through her hard-earned savings and are in the process of filing for medicaid, but that is admittedly cumbersome, heartless, and not all inclusive for the needs and bills she has. We also are in the process of it, and that's not something some billing companies care about. 

We have managed everything we can as best as we can, but I am very concerned still, about the road ahead for my mom and want to do everything I can for her.

As you know, she was a single working mother for me and has dedicated her life to helping her communities and being the best mother and grandmother to her, now, three grandchildren she could be. She's given the world to me and I desperately want to give her the life she deserves and provide for her the best way I can.  

If you are able and willing to contribute anything financially, we will be able to finalize payments on the massive medical bills my mom has accumulated in the past year, and pay for other needs that she may have. I've debated about a GoFundMe page for a bit, but her health needs have beyond extended what I thought we were initially dealing with.  

My mom has spent her whole life working to help and be there for other people. She has always believed in God and to be in the service of others in this world. This has been unbearable at times to see all of this happening to her. She is my heart.