Help w/nurse care for disabled

Hello! Some of you may know me as @cozysweetsj on Twitter. We are active members in the pug/dog community. I am a shy, private person. I don’t usually ask for help but due to unexpected circumstances, I feel I must ask for help now. Here is my situation. On September 11, 2017, Hurricane Irma took a turn and headed for Central Florida, eventually slamming Ocala, Florida, where I live. The 2-bedroom apartment that I share with my husband and two dogs, Franklin and Edgar, was mostly spared but trees and power lines were downed all around us, roads were impassable, gas was scarce, stores and restaurants were closed, internet service/phone service, and in some places electricity, were out. While we were dealing with this natural disaster, our lease was about to come up for renewal. We were hoping to stay put in the 2-bedroom because it allowed more room for me to move in my power wheelchair. We had originally rented the 2-bedroom because we were taking care of my husband’s sister at the time (she has schizophrenia and dementia), and she was contributing to bills, but she needed more help than we could provide and is now doing well in an assisted living facility. The apartment complex management raised rates and we were priced out of the 2-bedroom. Faced with limited options, as it is difficult to find accessible housing, we had to downsize. The apartment has a rule that you are only allowed two days to move. We had very little help moving because everyone was still dealing with the aftermath of Irma and we could not get boxes, so everything was rushed. At the time, my husband had abdominal discomfort and saw a few doctors but no one had diagnosed him as of yet. When the insurance finally approved the CT scan, after the move, it was then that he was diagnosed as having an inguinal hernia. They believe the move made it worse and now the bowel is poking through. The doctor was able to push it back for now, but we needed to book surgery for November 7th, because if we wait longer then bowel reconstruction may be needed and my husband will need a colostomy bag and it will take longer to recover.

 

As for me, I have a form of Muscular Dystrophy, SMAIII, and cannot perform ADL’s (activities of daily living) on my own, such as bathing, dressing, meal prep. I have breathing problems, dysphagia and several allergies. I need help with being transferred from bed to wheelchair. If you are wondering about getting help from family, insurance, or social services…it is a long, complicated story. A nursing home is not an option for us. All options are being explored but we need to have someone here as soon as possible and that is where our good friend, Laura, comes in. She is an RN and has generously offered to come help us out. Unfortunately, she is going through a divorce, has had some oral surgery, and her dogs were sick, so she is also low on finances. We are asking for any help to fund her drive from SC to FL, hotel stay, and cost of any necessary supplies for the job. Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated!