Help Kim Vickery

If you've been a part of this journey with my family, then you have an idea of what life looks like for my mom, Kim Vickery, right now. I'd just like to take a moment to refresh your memory and make sure you are all updated. In July of 2021, my mom contracted Covid-19 and decided to work out of town so that my dad, John, wouldn't get sick. Despite her attempts to keep him well, my dad contracted Covid and passed away in August of 2021. This was the beginning of a series of events that would cause my mom to spiral.

August was just the beginning of a plethora of issues with my mom's health. One day, she was outside with my kids and the dogs got out. She tried to stop them from running off and fell. When she went to the emergency room complaining of pain, they told her it was just a bruised tailbone, but as the weeks went by, her pain worsened. She ended up seeing an orthopedic surgeon in Houston who informed her that she had SHATTERED her tailbone. The week after Thanksgiving, she had an operation to repair her tailbone. A couple of weeks after that, she had to have surgery for what the doctor called "the worst hipbone injury I've ever seen." The doctor was in shock that she was even able to walk.

As she was recovering from those surgeries, she began having issues with her stomach. She wasn't able to keep anything down and was losing a lot of weight. We finally convinced her to go see a doctor. She was admitted to the hospital in Houston and stayed for 21 days while they ran tests to figure out what was going on. They found out she had E-Coli. After further testing, numerous colonoscopies and an EGD, they told her she had "Lymphocytic Cholitis." After this visit, her job put her on FMLA. She didn't receive any pay and was still responsible for paying her insurance. During this entire time, Mom relied heavily on her faith and the Lord continued to provide for her. Eventually, she was referred to a Hematologist who sent her to get 8 iron infusions. After completing her infusions, she was seen at MD Anderson where they did 2 biopsies and found out she had an abundance of leukocytes and had severe anemia. During the process of this round of testing, they were concerned she was possibly pre-cancerous. Meanwhile, she was still unable to hold anything down. In the course of a few months, she had lost almost 50 lbs. They decided to readmit her to the hospital because she just wasn't feeling "right", and this was by far her worst hospital stay. Her faith was heavily tested and many of her family and friends felt as though she was sincerely losing her sanity. The day before Easter, mom left the hospital against medical advice so that she could be home with all her family.

She was told that she wouldn't be released with her TPN, but she relied on her faith and believed in her heart everything would work out. Shortly after, she found out they were going to allow her to have her TPN at home and now carries around a 12 lb backpack that is her single source of nutrition and fluids. At this point, the doctors were still unsure what the next step should be or even what was wrong with her exactly. The doctors put her through another test to see if they thought they needed to do a gastric bypass surgery. The PCP told her this particular surgery would hopefully help resolve some of her issues, but that it was an extremely risky surgery. The doctor who would perform the surgery is very hesitant because of the risks involved and the possibility that she may not even survive the procedure, but he has determined that it is medically necessary. As if she hasn't endured enough, she found out the insurance company is not willing to pay for the surgery. The doctor has made several appeals to the insurance company and is fighting to have them cover the surgery, but she is running out of time to have it done.

Last week, mom fell and was life flighted to the hospital because she was had no feeling in her leg/butt. They were concerned she had a spinal cord injury, but she regained feeling in her leg and was released from the hospital after 3 days. After returning home, she didn't receive her TPN and her surgeon was very upset. In the past few days, she has seen another orthopedic surgeon who says she needs a total knee replacement after her bariatric procedure. She has been having blood sugar issues (her blood sugar spiked to 600 at one point) and she is mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted. She has been told it could be as long as 30 days before the insurance company makes a decision and this is well past the acceptable time for her to have a life-saving surgery which she desperately needs. That is why I put together this Go Fund Me page.

My mom has been a giver her entire life. She has given and given even when she couldn't really AFFORD to give. She struggles to ask for help and hates taking anything from anyone. She would give anyone the shirt off her back if they needed it. I am asking you today to consider giving back to my mom during her time of need. It is my desire that you would prayerfully consider what you are able to contribute. Every single penny counts. We are running out of time as the doctors want to perform this surgery next week. Please, if you can contribute in ANY way financially, do so. And PLEASE SHARE this campaign. Thank you.