Help Grandma Jackie with her medical expenses!

In mid-September, Jackie Frohriep (aka "Little Gram Gram") underwent a Nissen fundoplication, which is a "minimally invasive" procedure that treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia. It was a necessary procedure to avoid esophageal cancer at a later date.

Unfortunately, since the procedure there have been a number of complications and she's been in and out of the hospital several times (we think this is visit #9) due to problems relating to severe nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, and difficulty walking. These symptoms are not ideal for any individual, but poor gram also has a history of seizures to add further complication.

Currently (as of Sunday December 9th) she:
1. Experiences intermittent respiratory scares and has had breathing treatments and oxygen to help regulate her breathing.
2. Has a bladder infection and UTI due to severe dehydration.
3. Has a fractured spine (which happened from a fall while under hospital care).
4. Bruised her side from a fall in her bathroom earlier this week.
5. Is undergoing a lung CT scan today to rule out a blood clot in the lungs.

As her family, we are fielding a lot of medical decisions and trying to keep you all informed as best we can. We are looking into the best after care facilities for her around in the hopes that they can help her heal her and provide good and honest round-the-clock care. We are also looking into having a ramp installed at her home so she can more easily enter her home.

We assure you that 100% of the proceeds raised here will go toward giving my little gram the best care she can possibly have.  She's a retired RN who spent her life dedicated to helping others and we want to return that same gratitude towards helping her. She's a fierce fighter and loved by so many (we love you all!) and we hope to at least make the strain of money one less thing she has to worry about.

With love,
Rachel

**Update as of 12/10/2018

All we can say is... wow. While we are not surprised that little gram-gram is well loved (we KNOW she's the best) we are blown away by the generosity shown by all of you. We're doing our best to monitor Facebook and keep gram in good spirits, and we appreciate all the prayers, thoughts, warm wishes, and kind gestures that are coming our way. We are surrounded by goodness.

I (Rachel) will be withdrawing the funds, and am going over to her condo today to take pictures and begin discussions of construction for her ramp. I assure you that keeping Little Gram-Gram safe is my number 1 priority, and I will do my best to keep you all updated on progress of both Jackie and her ramp as we proceed with construction. Any funds that are leftover will go to her care in other areas (we're exploring after care facilities for her too).

Heading to the hospital later this evening, and should have an update on how she's doing to all of you this evening!

Love to all,
Rachel <3

***Update as of 12/11/2018

Hi all!

Grandma Jacks is getting some color and energy back, although we're having a bit of a hard time convincing her to eat (which is traditionally something both gram and I LOVE doing together). We're trying to get her to consume 1500 calories a day, as her potassium is still low and her doctor thinks that's key to speedy recovery.

She was a little bit sad earlier today as she found out she does not qualify for in-patient physical therapy at St. Johns, though my mom is working with her social worker on finding a great, short-term facility for her to return to her full bill of health. We're trying to find a nice private facility for her. She's hoping for visitors.

The funds we've raised here are going towards a ramp install in her home, a new shower that she can access easily, and some medical equipment (i.e. a heating pad that isn't from 1975 :)).

We again so appreciate the outpouring of love, support, prayers, and positive attention. Little gram-gram is well loved and surrounded by goodness and generosity.

Love to all,
Rachel + family

****Update on the ramp!

Hello (again) all!

After countless phone calls and emails we've decided that the best ramp for little gram is this bad boy pictured below:


Turns out that wood (while prettier) is slippery and aluminum will withhold through Michigan weather and keep Grandma Jackie a safe and happy lady.

We've adjusted the amount we're collecting to get her this ramp--and we're waiting to hear back on the new bathtub install.

From the bottom of ALL our hearts: thank you, thank you, thank you.

****Update from 12/17/2018

WE DID IT!!!

The ramp has been purchased (should arrive by the end of the week) and with the leftover funds we bought gram a brand new heating pad, a little penguin that says "Merry Christmas" for her to have in after care, and a card signed by EVERYONE who donated.

I printed a picture of the ramp to be included in the card, and Little Gram Gram was BLOWN AWAY by the generosity, smiled big, cried a little and was just so darn happy. Ya'll had a part in that.

Thank you all SO much again. <3