Please help Robert Glaser

Hi, the Great Plains Obesity Team is asking for your help in supporting one of our own Novo Nordisk OCS colleagues, Mary Jean Glaser and her husband, Robert Glaser, who is a middle school teacher at CMS near Wichita, KS. These funds will be used to help cover costs of medical accommodations, companion care costs, and other medical bills as they come in over the next several months.

On October 19, 2022, Mary Jean and Robert’s lives changed very quickly. After months of recurring fevers and many tests with no answers, Robert came home that evening from a long day of Parent/Teacher conferences. Suspecting a stroke or heart attack, Robert was whisked to the ER yet all tests were negative initially. After going home and then losing all mobility in his lower extremities, MJ called 911 and Robert was brought back to the hospital. An MRI showed that he had a very serious infection running from the base of his neck to his lower spine. The next few days turned into weeks as his Infectious Disease doctor and Neurologist were desperately trying to find answers with many tests and lab work done. Despite all of this, the mystery continued as he was started on antibiotics, steroids and 7 treatments of plasmapheresis, not to mention MRIs of the brain/spine, lumbar punctures, OT, PT, etc. Although all tests were negative for a source of the infection, they treated his condition as “Transverse Myelitis with no known cause.” After 18 days at St. Francis in Wichita, KS, Robert was transferred to Mid America Rehab Center in Overland Park, KS on November 10th. As OT/PT and other therapies continued there, Mary Jean never left his side other than to shower or grab a quick bite to eat. She has stayed with him on a cot in his room trying to learn all she could and has had an incredible support system of family and friends, including their 22 -yr old son Quinn who has been trying to help keep things running at their home near Wichita.

And now for the next chapter, and why we are asking for your help. Robert was released from Mid America Rehab Center and was able to go home on December 5th. Although it was wonderful news to go home, the reality is that Robert is still requiring a minimum of two people to help transfer him from bed to chair, home OT/PT, and continued medical care. As Mary Jean plans to return to work very soon, there is also a need for companion care so he is not alone during the day, which is not covered by insurance. Doctors have indicated that it could take 6 months to 2 years for him to regain full mobility.

Up until this point, Robert and MJ have not accepted offers of financial contributions, instead asking others to donate to charities and always sharing her gratitude for their wonderful care, family and friends who have been steadfast in their support. If you get a chance to look up Mary Jean’s journal posts on CaringBridge, you will be inspired and brought to tears at their courage, humor, and faith during this difficult and unexpected journey.

Although we understand this time of year is full of unexpected expenses during the holidays, we also have had so many Novo Nordisk colleagues ask about Mary Jean and Robert inquiring on how they could help. Many families “adopt” a family to help during the holidays, and others give to other wonderful charities. Could you possibly include Mary Jean and Robert in this year’s donations to help them with their rapidly growing medical costs?

On behalf of the GPOT, as well as Mary Jean, Robert, Quinn and their extended family, THANK YOU so much for your support!!