Please help Tamara & Brad with medical bills

Back in September of 2023 Tamara had her 2nd failed hiatal hernia surgery. 3 months later after more pain, vomiting, weight loss due to not eating her stomach developed a tear and released multiple liters of toxic fluids into her chest collapsing her right lung, and causing sepsis and pneumonia. The lab results showed many red flags on the contents of the chest fluid including some “very rare” growth of Staphylococcus aureus “staph” and “very rare” growth of “Candida dubliniensis” plus seven more red flags in the report.

On the night of Dec. 30th she felt her lung collapse but didn’t know what was causing the extreme pain and shortness of breath. The morning of new years eve Tamaras husband Brad called Idyllwild paramedics to come access her and take her to Eisenhower emergency where she was immediately treated with drainage tube in her chest, oxygen and pain meds. Her husband Brad watched his wife in extreme pain and extreme labored breathing and oxygen treatment. He was shocked to see how much fluid was draining out of her chest into containers that measured the output of several liters. Tamara screamed in pain when she was moved at all. Soon she was admitted to ICU while she was connected to multiple IV bags. While she was there she was transferred multiple times for xrays, scans etc. She was in so much pain every time they moved her from her bed to gurney she screamed. Her right lung was collapsed.

After 5-6 days the hospital recommended she continue treatment at another hospital and she was accepted at SDSU La Jolla. A helicopter was arranged and she was flown there Jan. 6th of 2024. Her husband drove there after watching the helicopter taking his wife away. Brad met with the new surgeon and told him to ”do whatever it takes to save her life!” After she was stable enough for surgery the doctor plugged the stomach perforation with a stent. He saved her life! Tamara woke up in ICU again not knowing what happened to her. , Her chest was still draining out of 3 tubes now and had a tube down her throat via her nose and several IV bags with antibiotics, pain meds, hydration and nutrition. They didn’t want her to eat or drink for several days. Her wonderful nurses helped her get out of bed and walk with a walker. She was taken from ICU after several days and admitted into a room where she would receive more treatment, xrays, scans, bloodwork, help to the toilet on a daily basis.

Finally she was released on Jan 26th after getting her daily calories up at the request of her surgeon. By that time she was eating food. Tamara continues to recover at home with the constant care of her husband Brad but its been tough. Brad waited on her hand and foot with no reservations. Her dog Quinn missed her greatly, she didn’t know why mama was suddenly gone for almost a month but daddy face timed with mama a couple times so they could see and hear each other. Brad fixed up the shower with bars to hold onto and a shower chair. The house was filled with flowers, welcome home signs and beautiful artwork taped to the walls done by their nieces.

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Tamara is currently doing better and her last drainage tube was removed and continues oxygen as needed, still weak she is making great progress considering she almost died from this episode. Brad takes her to weekly doctors appointments 2 ½ drive off the mountain. Tamara will be getting another surgery soon to fix her hiatal hernia that is back up in her chest against the left lung.

Tamara will be responsible for medical co-insurance bills for at least $5000. So far the bills from both hospitals add up to over $500,000. Tamara is still not sure if she will be billed for the helicopter and ambulance ride.

Please help Tamara and Brad if you can, anything will be greatly appreciated! God Bless.