Let us Lift up our Beautiful Wildflower Amy

Hey Everyone, it's me Lori, and I have a special favor to ask all of you...

...We don't really need to talk about dates, but a few years ago, I moved into a neighborhood and lived on a street named Wildflower Drive (I know right, very fitting for me and Amy, the Wildflower hippies that we are) It did not take long for me to meet a very dear friend on the other end of this street and her name is Amy Hogan-Petrella-Roth. I won't bore you with the hilarious memories or trouble we liked to get into as teenagers, that is a story for another day, but I can tell you she was a huge part of not only my childhood but my adult life as well. They say it takes a village, and I still believe that this is true.

So, sweet Village, we need your help now.

In July of 2022, Amy noticed some changes, nothing very concerning, but not normal either. She was experiencing dizziness and pressure on the right side of her face, she went in to have it checked out and was diagnosed with Vertigo and sent home. The symptoms persisted and after a few more trips to the Doctor, she was referred to an ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist. Because this was not considered anything "urgent" the appointment was scheduled for quite sometime later. In the early hours of October 11th, she woke up unable to move from her bed to get to her phone on the other side of her bedroom, she also had started throwing up blood and actually fell back asleep or possibly passed out for about 30 minutes.

Upon waking again, she was thankfully able to move to get her phone and went to the doctor that morning. The doctor told her that this was not vertigo or an ear infection and sent her immediately to the emergency room because he diagnosed her with a possible stroke. For Amy, many of the details are not as clear, because obviously, she was going through a lot. After this hospital visit when it was confirmed that she did indeed suffer a stroke, she was put on bed rest, and was unable to work or drive, among other things. Her vision and fine motor skills have suffered and it is still unclear what the lasting effects will be in the long term. On October 18th she was scheduled for a brain scan and was diagnosed with a brain bleed, this confirmed the type of stroke she had suffered was a Hemorrhagic Stroke, and at this time had a 3cm brain bleed. It is a miracle that she survived because this should have killed her immediately.

She has been recovering at home, with no income or disability, but the good news is that the brain bleed has shrunk to now 1cm and soon she will be able to have a scan to find out more about the permanent long-term effects of the stroke.

Amy has been unable to work since October, the strain this has put on her both emotionally and financially has become quite stressful, and continues to be a burden that compromises her blood pressure and her health. The disability she has applied for is still not approved and she has no idea when she can expect to receive any compensation.

I am asking that we come together to help our sweet friend to help ease her burden by donating any amount we can to help. These funds will go directly to Amy herself and will be used to help cover her medical bills, food, utilities and incidentals, all of which are essential to her physical and mental well-being until she is cleared to work again.

Amy has always been very independent her whole adult life, working multiple jobs to support her family. I know it will be hard for her to accept help, but I hope we can at least bring some Sunshine into her life during this storm she is going through.

Thank you so very much for your love and support and if you can, please share this fundraiser.