Kimberly Hetzler

2024. A year we will never forget..

On January 30th, our Mom began experiencing abdominal pain that worsened over the next three days. This eventually led to her becoming weak with chills, sweats, and a fever. Once got her evaluated at Malta Medical Center where she was deemed septic with a perforated bowel and subsequently transferred to Albany Medical Center. After meeting with many teams of doctors, the colorectal team decided that her perforation was small enough that in hopes of keeping her NPO (nothing by mouth) and antibiotics, that the inflammation would decrease and allow her perforation to heal itself.

February 4th- 7th, they attempted multiple oral challenge’s. A few failed which meant we had to take things slower.

February 8th, they increased Mom's diet from clear fluids to soft food. She reluctantly attempted, vividly remembering how excruciating the pain was with each previous attempt. She ended up in severe pain, resulting in stat CT. Her perforation never healed, it was larger and formed an abscess. She was full of infection and fluid. She needed emergency surgery.

After three hours, the surgeon met us and we found out that she required a sigmoid colectomy with colostomy. Her bowels were very dilated which required closing of the fascia but not the skin requiring a wound vac with a JP drain. Her incision was larger than they anticipated and she was required to go to ICU still intubated and on pressors. We were told “your Mother is a lot sicker than what she tells you. Tonight, will be a rough night and she will get sicker before she gets better.” But God had other plans.

When we met her in ICU, she was still intubated. She was not on pressors, not sedated. She was awake and responsive requiring minimal assistance with the ventilator. All good news! She was eventually extubated, surpassing everyone’s expectations and the next day transferred from ICU to the regular floor. Each day is a new and better day! We thank God.

The biggest hurdle right now is her healing and long recovery she will endure. She will require visiting nurses to assist with the wound vac and JP drain. Many follow up visits with co-pays and medical supplies. We are setting this up because as many of you know medical expenses and bills add up quickly. Any financial assistance and support is truly a blessing.

If you feel compelled to help out, we truly appreciate anything. We know that God has His hands in this whole process. We continue to pray for her speedy recovery mentally, emotionally and physically. This is a lot for her to handle… In addition, we continue to pray for a potential colostomy reversal down the road, as this is truly what Mom would like for a more “normal” way of life. We continue to pray for her healing process and helping to support her in any way we can. Thank you to all those whom have reached out and continue to support her during this journey, she has a long road ahead of her.

We ask that you please keep this fundraiser private, as we would like to keep this a surprise for her. Thank you!