Bernadette's Story

My name is Kathleen Blauvelt and I am fundraising for Bernadette Fruit (many of you know her as Bea) who needs a 2-stage surgery to amputate her right leg. The first surgery was done on 8/1/23. Once the second stage is complete, she can expect this to be a 1-year process with one or more additional surgeries.

Bernadette’s story started 30 years ago when she was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, in both her legs. Doctors were able to remove the tumor from her left leg. The right leg needed limb salvage to remove the affected bone and put in a femoral implant.

After 11 surgeries to save her leg, infection has taken over and the only option she has is to lose her leg in order to save her life.

She also had 3 major surgeries for other health issues.

Bernadette, a registered nurse for 40 years, continued to work after recovering from each surgery as she needed to support herself. Her husband passed away 20 years ago, and she had to sell her home.

In 2019, an implant was removed due to infection and a severe nickel allergy. A rod from her hip to her ankle was implanted which meant she could no longer drive and needed to be transported to her jobs.

Although she had a lot of pain, she was a dedicated nurse, always with a smile on her face for her patients. Even during COVID, she put herself at risk because she made sure her patients had the infusions they needed.

For the last 2 years, Bernadette has been unable to work due to pain from the infection. The infectious disease doctor is no longer able to suppress it with antibiotics.

Bernadette has always been fiercely independent and has always managed to take care of herself but now her finances are exhausted. She needs help to pay for her everyday living expenses, medications not covered by insurance, transportation to hospitals, doctors, and rehab facilities, as well existing and ongoing medical bills.

If you are unable to contribute, we ask for your prayers and positive thoughts.

We would be so grateful if you would share this with your circle of friends.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and God bless you.