Rachel Christian for Rhoda Steffel

Family & Friends!

My name is Rachel Christian. I am coming to you on behalf of our family for our dearly loved sister, Rhoda Steffel.

Many of you may know Rhoda and what she has been through the past several years, but for those who do not, here is Rhoda's story.

Rhoda works at Mark's East Side in Appleton. She has had a job in the restaurant business for the past 30 plus years, a job which requires her to be on her feet constantly. She has had issues with her left foot for a very long time. She underwent two surgeries several years ago to correct the issues, only to find the surgeries did not take, and she was back to square one, once again walking with pain every step she took.

Rhoda was referred to another surgeon, the best surgeon in the country for her type of foot issue, and he is right here in Green Bay, WI and he said he was confident he could 'fix her up'. Rhoda kept putting off the surgery, praying her way through the pain, to try to save money as she knew once she had surgery she would be unable to work for quite some time. The time came where she could not put this off any longer, the pain was too great walking on her foot day after day and FINALLY at the beginning of May she had surgery. Hardware was removed and bones re-fused in her foot. She had no weight bearing for 8 weeks, then was placed in a boot for another 6 weeks, with very little weight bearing as it was still painful to step on the foot. This whole process was taking much longer than she had hoped or anticipated. During her surgery in May the surgeon discovered that she basically has no ankle anymore on her left foot. Now she knows why she has been in so much pain. The surgeon said, and I heard him because I was with her, he has not seen a foot this bad in all of his 34 years of doing what he does. Now she needs to undergo a complete ankle replacement. This will again have a long recovery of no weight bearing and then little by little she will gradually be able to start walking again on her foot. Her ankle replacement was scheduled for August 30th, however just this week the surgery was postponed. They discovered that the hardware they made for the replacement needs a little more fine tuning due to the way some of her bones are laying in her foot, so she is on hold until the new hardware can be made and then the surgery will be rescheduled.

Why am I coming to you?

Rhoda has a faith that can move mountains! She trusts that our Lord and Savior is leading the hands and skills of her current surgeon to do what is best for her to fix her foot once and for all. However, God sometimes needs our help along the way. Rhoda has very little income since the beginning of May and at this time we are unsure when she will be able to go back to work and resume her full time job. She has the day to day expenses of living on her own - rent, utilities, phone, food, car payment, insurance, and the medical expenses that are beginning to overwhelm her. We all know the rising cost of inflation and what it is doing to all of us, imagine that on top of not having any income. She could use our help to pay some of these bills.

Rhoda has always been there to help others, and now it is our time to help her. I have started this 'gofundme' for those that want to help. Don't feel obligated, many of you have asked what you can do, how you can help, and right now given her situation this would be a big help.

If you would rather 'have something for your money' Rhoda makes the most beautiful wreaths. Check out her Facebook page "Rhoda's Crafty Creations". Buy one of her wreaths, it will give her some cash, give her something to do as she will need to make your wreath, and you will have a beautiful wreath to place on your door. A WIN/WIN for all!

Some words that Rhoda herself has recently shared about herself and her situation:

"I have learned so much patience the last four months, I honestly have only broken down maybe 3 times.

I’ve learned it’s okay to miss out on a lot of things, summer, sunshine, flowers, plants, fresh vegetable stands, people, hobby lobby, house cleaning, laundry, just getting in your car and driving, friends, walking….we take way, way too much for granted.

I’ve learned to have to rely on people sometimes(I’m a very independent person and it’s hard for me to ask for help) and there a couple of really good people out there who have been so much help to me(you know who you are), not talking family either. Don’t get me wrong, my family has been so tremendous with helping me during this time.

I’ve learned to make due with what you have…toast and peanut butter are good every day or every other cuz’ you get sick of it. I am grateful for thinking ahead, being prepared and having supplies in the house, but they start to get low.

I’ve learned it is not good to go without a Diet Coke for a whole month, that part really stinks.

I’ve learned I am a really good wreath maker(it’s helped pay some of my rent), diamond dots are my friend, and there are a lot of really good tv series I have watched and there are more out there.

I’ve learned I really need to notice more when someone needs a helping hand, and to open my eyes to what others may need, and focus less on myself.

I also know that I could not have gone through all of this in the last four months without my #1 to rely on. God really, truly does provide, without the trust and faith I have in Him, I know I could not have done this alone. God does have a plan for me, I don’t know what it is, I just need to just be still and trust."

Help Rhoda out if you feel compelled to do so. God bless you all!