Help for needed surgery

Mary Ball-Bordwell is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hello. My name is Mary Bordwell. Anyone that knows me will attest that I have a very hard time asking for help… even when I desperately need it. So this is very hard for me to do.

I have struggled with UTIs since 2011. In 2020 I had the good fortune of discovering a specialist (Dr Stewart Bundrick) in Louisiana, who diagnosed me with, and has treated me for, embedded UTIs. He is one of 2 doctors I know about who treats embedded UTIs in the US. I have 3 bacteria that are embedded in my bladder wall.

*I had a fulguration (basically a clean out surgery) in May of 2023 in Louisiana. Dr Bundrick discovered my mesh bladder sling was eroding into my urethra creating a “door” for bacteria to get into my urinary system.

*Dr Bundrick removed my mesh bladder sling, did repairs and implanted an autologous sling (made from my own tissue) in July of 2023.

*in September of 2023 I lost my job that I had been at for 15.5 years. This was due to my health issues.

*In November of 2023 I started having signs of a partial obstruction (normal risk to this type of surgery). The current thought is that the partial obstruction is causing my constant UTIs which are requiring iv antibiotics to deal with.

*In January of 2023 I had a cystoscopy performed in the OR by a local urologist. There was a bladder neck issue found that the urologist is not comfortable fixing.

I have seen multiple urology specialists here in NY… and not able to find one willing to just correct the problem. Dr Bundrick in Louisiana has agreed to fix this issue for me.

I have been blessed with an amazing support system made up of family and friends alike. This has been a long journey for me. It has been especially hard since my fiance of 16.5 years passed away in June of 2021.

My goal is simple - to get to Louisiana for this surgery and hope it stops the UTIs. I would love to go back to work and not struggle as much with my bills. I rely heavily on friends and family for care of my son at a moments notice. I have had 4 hospitalizations (currently looking at a 5th), and I am on my 3rd PIcC line …. All since September of 2023. My son never knows when he will be sent to stay with a family member or friend. We have difficulty planning anything because inevitably my health will cause issues with it.

I am asking for donations to help with the cost that will be incurred by myself and my 2 amazing support people that have made this trip two other times with me. The costs will be food, gas, and lodging. Possibly some uncovered medical costs as well. I don’t expect there to be any left over amounts, but if there were I would be paying bills that I am behind on with any left over donations after paying for my trip.

Any amount would help… even just sharing the page would be a blessing!

Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy explanation!! God Bless!

(This is my daughter and myself!)

(This is my brother and my niece… my support crew for these trips!! This was the trip back home after the July surgery! The member you can’t see in this picture is Job, my brothers dog! He was an important part of my support crew as well!)