Linda Maddox Family Help Fund

What Happened/ Circumstances:
Our mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Linda Carol Maddox, was unexpectedly admitted long-term to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA as a result of complications that quickly emerged from her spinal medical condition that she’s been battling for the past several months.  Mom’s spinal issues surfaced approximately 6-months ago from a variety of issues, including a previous L3-L4 fusion that was performed approximately 15-yrs ago.  Due to degenerative spinal bone stenosis, as well as what is believed to be damage caused possibly from falling a few times in 2016, she developed severe instability in the spinal L5-S1 region, as well as rapid degeneration in the L1-L2 region.  Over the course of several months with frequent MRI’s, various narcotic pain medications and evaluations by well qualified and reputable spine specialists in Los Angeles, it was determined in November 2016 that she needed spinal surgery to stabilize her spine.  With the onset of the holidays and the doctor’s availability, it was necessary to delay her spinal surgery until this month (January 2017).  Although mom’s condition naturally deteriorated pending the surgery, nobody expected the rapid level of deterioration that would develop in the weeks following her last exam.  By the time she reached the point of needing to complete Pre-op Evaluations, she had deteriorated to the point of being in constant excruciating pain and had lost most of her mobility and needed a wheelchair.  At her spinal doctor’s Pre-Op Evaluation on January 9th, the welcome quickly turned to serious concern.  What had begun as a planned 1-night stay in LA on January 8th for two Pre-Op evaluations on the 9th almost spontaneously turned into an unexpected horrific nightmare.  Mom was immediately admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Hospital after the spinal doctor pre-op evaluation and after other specialists that same day discovered inconsistencies and inadequate reporting in pre-op certifications from her local doctors.  New tests, labs, CT-Scans, MRIs and further cardiology and anesthesiology evaluations thru Cedars-Sinai Medical Center were immediately ordered.  What occurred from the point of being admitted to the point of needing immediate surgery on January 19th, with the need for a 2nd pending surgery, is almost indescribable, as most are aware from the many text updates that were sent.

Following is the most recent update sent 1/19/2017:
Mom remained in ICU today where she will remain this evening; her vitals have been good and stable throughout the day.  She remains weak and intubated, but has been responsive.  A gastrostomy tube was inserted this afternoon to provide for nutrition as part of improving her strength, and for her oral medications.  The goal is to encourage and promote her strength in hopes of being able to remove the tubes tomorrow and move her into the Spinal Ward of the hospital.  The narcotic painkillers have been tapered-off and substituted with Tylenol to help with coordination and strength for her next re-evaluation. The Tylenol has been effective in managing her pain, which is good news. The 2nd surgery is tentatively scheduled for next Wed or Thurs, depending on the progression of her current recovery.  The doctor anticipates she will remain hospitalized for approximately 2-3 weeks, which allots time for adequate recovery from the recent surgery, prep for the upcoming surgery, and then recovery from the 2nd surgery.  Once she has adequately recovered from the 2nd surgery, it’s anticipated she will be discharged to Kaweah Delta Rehabilitation Center in Visalia for continued recovery, physical therapy and rehabilitation.  The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation, love and gratefulness for the continued prayers, thoughts and emotional support that’s been so graciously extended to our mother, father and family.  God Bless each and all. 

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Our Need:
The family of Linda C Maddox is humbly asking for financial assistance from our friends and family to help cover the high-cost of overnight housing expenses in Los Angeles while the family stays near Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to be close to mom, as well as on-going travel expenses.  The costs of accommodations in the Los Angeles (West Hollywood) are exorbitant, but we managed to locate an older 2-Bdrm, 1-Bth apartment thru AirBnb.com within 10-minutes walking distance from the hospital that has been meeting the needs for the family as we rotate from the Porterville area to Los Angeles to be available for our mother.  Several of the family do not have the financial means to participate in these costs, which has placed the financial burden on a member of the family that is quickly exhausting funds.  The family is only seeking financial assistance to cover the costs of housing and travel expenses.  All medical expenses are covered by mom’s Medicare and Blue Shield insurance, and the family has been covering their own meal expenses by bringing groceries from home and purchasing other perishable goods from local grocery stores.  To date, the costs incurred total $5,632 which has covered 27-days of housing at only $186/night for $5,016 (bargain in LA; prepaid to 2/4/17), and $616 in rental vehicle expenses incurred from needing to rent a premium vehicle to transport mom to LA for her original Pre-Op Evaluation and subsequent days incurred from having to remain in LA with the vehicle when she was initially admitted.

 Our family graciously appreciates all of the love, prayers, thoughts and emotional support that has been so generously given to our parents and family.  We are not expecting all costs to be covered, but even the smallest of donations will help alleviate the burden and guilt of those in our family with the inability to participate in shared costs.  Thank you, and God Bless each and all.