Sonja's Medical and Emergency Fund

My partner, Sonja, of 19 years, is a Registered Nurse that has always been passionate, hard working and compassionate when it comes to her profession, myself, as well as her family. She also is the sole provider for the two of us, since I am unable to work due to my own disabilities.  The weekend after Thanksgiving, Sonja decided to take two days off from work. On Saturday 11/26/2016, Sonja said she was having a very bad headache and then quickly became very ill. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. It was at that hospital that the doctors determined she had a ruptured brain aneursym in the main artery that leads to her brain stem. They stated she would have to be airlifted to Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg. Upon arriving at Bayfront Hospital, the neurosurgeon told us that Sonja suffered a severe brain bleed that required immediate surgery. Due to the risk of a further bleed, the surgeon opted to perform a less invasive surgery called Endovascular Coiling to repair the aneursym. The procedure was successful. But due to the fact that Sonja had an extensive bleed before the repair was done, she was at high risk of a stroke and spasming in the vessels of the brain (which is called Vasospasms). The surgeon stated that due to the high risk nature of the bleed, Sonja would need to spend 10 days in the ICU unit. Within one day, Sonja started having Vasospasms which in turn caused two small strokes, Sonja has not been able to open her left eye and has suffered some weakness in her left arm and hand. The surgeon has determined that the coil is too tight in one area of the artery and they need to try and go back in to place a stent in the artery. This cannot be done until the Vasospasms have stopped. Monday 12/5/2016, Sonja had a seizure from more Vasospasms. Due to this further complication, they have had to perform a procedure to try and stop the Vasospasms. Sonja still remains in the ICU unit in serious condition. The doctors are optimistic that Sonja can recover from this illness, but they have stated that the road ahead will be a long one. 

Despite the dedication and all of the countless hours Sonja has spent working, some weeks even working 7 days a week when necessary, she does not have health insurance nor does she accumulate sick or vacation time in either one of her two nursing positions. We would greatly appreciate any and all help you could give us while Sonja is trying to recover from this devastating and sudden illness and is unable to work. It could take anywhere from 6 months to a year or more for Sonja to be able to return back to her nursing career.

Thank you for taking the time to read her story.