Helen Garrett Health Fund
Donation protected
If you're reading this page, you know Helen is a feisty, funny, strong-willed and independent woman you could always rely on.
Now, she's relying on us. Her condition is critical.
Her mind and body are being ravaged by the long-term damage from her Hepatitis C. After nearly 20 years of grueling clinical trials, she was cured, but the disease left scarring on her liver. She is on the radar for a transplant, but incredibly, she doesn't yet qualify. In the interim, she required a recent procedure to redirect blood flow around the organ.
The treatment was, technically speaking, a success. But a horrific side effect has caused a toxic buildup of ammonia in her blood. This has left her unaware of her surroundings, unable to communicate or think clearly, and nearly unable to move.
Imagine going to bed fine one night and waking up the next morning with the symptoms of dementia and ALS. It's sudden, silent, and devastating, Her ability to do anything for herself is gone. Who she was has disappeared.
But she is not gone. Her doctors are optimistic her condition is reversible and she's getting excellent medical care, but that, of course, is expensive. After she gets out of the hospital (which could be weeks) she will need long-term rehabilitation and then constant care after that, as she can't work anymore.
Anything you can give will go a long way toward helping with her recovery. She has a long hard fight ahead of her. We all know Mom is too stubborn not to fight this with everything she's got, but now, all she has is us.
Thank you.
Now, she's relying on us. Her condition is critical.
Her mind and body are being ravaged by the long-term damage from her Hepatitis C. After nearly 20 years of grueling clinical trials, she was cured, but the disease left scarring on her liver. She is on the radar for a transplant, but incredibly, she doesn't yet qualify. In the interim, she required a recent procedure to redirect blood flow around the organ.
The treatment was, technically speaking, a success. But a horrific side effect has caused a toxic buildup of ammonia in her blood. This has left her unaware of her surroundings, unable to communicate or think clearly, and nearly unable to move.
Imagine going to bed fine one night and waking up the next morning with the symptoms of dementia and ALS. It's sudden, silent, and devastating, Her ability to do anything for herself is gone. Who she was has disappeared.
But she is not gone. Her doctors are optimistic her condition is reversible and she's getting excellent medical care, but that, of course, is expensive. After she gets out of the hospital (which could be weeks) she will need long-term rehabilitation and then constant care after that, as she can't work anymore.
Anything you can give will go a long way toward helping with her recovery. She has a long hard fight ahead of her. We all know Mom is too stubborn not to fight this with everything she's got, but now, all she has is us.
Thank you.
Organizer
Shawn Garrett
Organizer
Roanoke, VA