Cath Cobb Post Stroke Recovery Fund

I have created this fundraiser for our dear friend, Catherine Cobb, who had a stroke on November 7th while on vacation in the United Kingdom. This was a shock to all, considering Cath is a very healthy 65-year-old. She, too, was surprised while simultaneously realizing what was happening and quickly getting help. She had been dealing with a bad chest cold for five days when this happened. After paramedics' evaluation and ruling out covid, she was hospitalized for three days in the Devonshire countryside of South West England. MRI revealed a Left Thalamic Acute Infarction and a main diagnosis of right Lacunar stroke with predominant sensory symptoms.

After days of wondering whether she’d even be allowed to travel home and potentially having to stay in England for a minimum of 3 months, the doctors agreed that the stress and hardship to her quality of life and ability to earn income would be more detrimental than the risk to fly ten days post-stroke.

The good news is she is home recovering, and the doctors have lifted the driving restriction, which in the UK is a minimum of 30 days. The remaining uncertainty is the impact to her pet-sitting business at the very start of the holiday season, her busiest time through the new year. As an entrepreneur, this can be a major blow. Plus, she doesn’t know what future medical costs might be coming. Each day the numbness to the right side of her face and hand gets a bit better. The entire right side of her body went numb during the stroke, like sharp pins and needles. Fortunately, no other symptoms, and the recovery each day feels like when the novocaine wears off from a dental visit. It’s a slow process that can take six weeks.

Our hope is to raise $15,000 to cover the next several weeks of expected recovery time. This will help with covering monthly bills and medical costs. Catherine wants to make sure you know that any unused funds will be in “pay it forward mode” to help someone else that may be in need. She says, “It’s not easy to ask for help, but it is with gratitude and much appreciation.”

Thank you for your support.