Please Help Support Rob Nokes and Family
Donation protected
Friends of Rob Nokes and Family, BHS Alum and any Do-Gooders:
We have a dear friend and his family who are in desperate need of our help; A minor accident has turned into a life threatening plight for Rob. Existing medical conditions have compounded his situation making this a weeks long struggle... so far. The situation is grave and the fight has only just begun. Daily struggles have included infection, amputation, threat of additional amputation, kidney shutdown, dialysis and a to-the-bone bacteria which doctors are currently trying to get under control.
The medical bills are piling up with frightening speed. With Rob being the sole provider of a family of six, one can imagine, they need more than just our prayers.
This is only the brief story. If so inclined, please continue to read of Rob, his beloved family and the fight of his life and please consider helping in anyway you can...
* * * * * * * *
The 2018 Christmas holidays started like most for Rob Nokes in spending time with his beloved wife of 25 years, Jessica and their family of five daughters being the top priority. While helping put away boxes one evening, Rob stubbed his big toe on his right foot on the corner of a plastic box, leaving a small cut just above the toenail. It was a small cut, and he honestly didn’t think too much about it. And who wouldn’t? We’ve all felt that annoying pang of stubbing our toe on something at some point in our life, and we go on doing what we’re doing... albeit with a little bit of a limp and a grumble. But for Rob, what started out as a tiny little insignificant cut has turned into a battle for his life.
Rob was diagnosed with diabetes 25 years ago, and has kept a careful eye on his condition. With diabetes the smallest nick can quickly turn into a life threatening situation. Diabetics often have compromised blood flow to their extremities, which allows for infection to quickly set in and affect nearby tissues. Left untreated, the infected tissue starts to die, releasing bacteria and toxins into the bloodstream. If the bacteria and toxins travel to the heart and kidneys, it is often fatal. A recent diagnosis of congestive heart failure has further complicated the situation making it even more important for him to get any sort of infection under control before it reached his compromised heart.
By New Year’s Eve, Rob wasn’t feeling well, but didn’t think it had anything to do with the cut on his toe... after all, he had been putting an antibiotic ointment on it like most of us would do. But the pain radiating from his toe all the way up to his leg had begun to become unbearable. When Jessica took another look at his foot, the toe had turned from an angry red to a sinister purple and black that was spreading across his foot. They headed straight to the Emergency Room, where Rob was immediately admitted.
On January 3rd, surgeons removed the upper part of Rob’s big toe. Within two days, the remaining stump of his toe began to turn black, along with part of his second toe and part of his foot. There was grave concern that he might lose more toes, maybe even his foot... and perhaps his entire leg. To say that the Nokes family was devastated at this news was an understatement.
On January 7th, Rob became unresponsive and was rushed into ICU, where they found him to be in Acute Kidney Failure. The infection ( sepsis ) had reached his kidneys, and he was placed on dialysis to keep his kidneys from completely shutting down. The fight to keep the infection from reaching Rob’s heart had begun in earnest.
On January 17th, Rob underwent a second surgery for removal of the rest of his big toe, a small part of his foot as well as an area under his second toe. He will require another surgery in two more weeks. The infection from the bacteria is now in his bones as well.
Rob is an automotive parts salesman at a local automotive dealership in town. He deals with in-house mechanics as well as mechanics from surrounding stores. He takes great pride in his job. His modest income is the only financial resource for his family. Rob has five beautiful daughters ranging in ages from 27 to 12. His wife, Jessica, is a stay-at-home-mom who has just started home-schooling their two youngest girls last year.
Rob has always been hard working, always happy to have a job and proud to be able to provide for his family. He has always put the needs of others above his own, often helping people find jobs when they had lost hope. Due to his heart condition, he retired from the Knox County Sheriff’s Dept. in October of 2018 after 20 years of committed service as a Reserve Officer. It was a job that he absolutely loved, yet never got paid a cent for. Rob’s loyalty to his friendships are long-standing. They stand the test of time because Rob has always been the kind of guy that everyone loved having as a friend. Anyone that knows Rob usually has a funny story about his quick wit and sense of humor. But what everyone agrees on is that he is without question the warmest, kindest human being they have ever known.
This ordeal has been a tremendous blow for everyone, but none more so than Rob himself. Throughout his time in the hospital, regardless of his condition, his main concern has been for his family. He wonders whether he will be able to go back to work and provide for them and their future. There is no doubt, however, at this point, that Rob will need financial support for rehabilitation, medical equipment, any uncovered medical expenses... as well as financial support for his family.
Rob is currently receiving care at Vanderbilt but will soon be moving to another facility for intensive rehabilitation, but will be no place for his wife to stay there with him while he is in rehab. In between the time he comes out of rehab and waits the two weeks for surgery, he will have to find lodging in Nashville. Most hotels in that area are expensive and well beyond their level of affordability. Like most Americans, the Nokes’ live paycheck to paycheck, and this has been a huge financial and emotional blow to them. With the enormous amount of taxes, insurance, short term disability, and other miscellaneous deductions that are taken out of Rob’s modest paycheck, there is not much left for any additional expenses, especially of this nature. While Rob is struggling to deal with his health issues, he is also struggling with how he will feed and care for his wife and their two youngest daughters. He worries where his wife will stay while he is in Nashville, as she has threatened to sleep in her car if she has to. But on top of it all, Rob worries about just how he is going to provide for his family... and when that will be possible, if at all.
The Nokes’ are humble, proud people, and would never consider asking anyone for help no matter how hard they might need it. But if ever there is a family in need and deserving of your heartfelt kindness and generosity, it is most certainly them.
This request is being made by several devoted friends who would love for your support with any donations, uplifting prayers, and positive vibes for this kind family. We have set up this fund in the hopes of raising money to help Rob literally get back on his feet and to help his family out in any way possible. Every donation, no matter how small, will help provide for their present day needs as well as their needs in the unforeseen future. Rob is very resilient and determined to get through this... and we are all optimistic that he can and will have a successful recovery.
Thank you so very much.
We have a dear friend and his family who are in desperate need of our help; A minor accident has turned into a life threatening plight for Rob. Existing medical conditions have compounded his situation making this a weeks long struggle... so far. The situation is grave and the fight has only just begun. Daily struggles have included infection, amputation, threat of additional amputation, kidney shutdown, dialysis and a to-the-bone bacteria which doctors are currently trying to get under control.
The medical bills are piling up with frightening speed. With Rob being the sole provider of a family of six, one can imagine, they need more than just our prayers.
This is only the brief story. If so inclined, please continue to read of Rob, his beloved family and the fight of his life and please consider helping in anyway you can...
* * * * * * * *
The 2018 Christmas holidays started like most for Rob Nokes in spending time with his beloved wife of 25 years, Jessica and their family of five daughters being the top priority. While helping put away boxes one evening, Rob stubbed his big toe on his right foot on the corner of a plastic box, leaving a small cut just above the toenail. It was a small cut, and he honestly didn’t think too much about it. And who wouldn’t? We’ve all felt that annoying pang of stubbing our toe on something at some point in our life, and we go on doing what we’re doing... albeit with a little bit of a limp and a grumble. But for Rob, what started out as a tiny little insignificant cut has turned into a battle for his life.
Rob was diagnosed with diabetes 25 years ago, and has kept a careful eye on his condition. With diabetes the smallest nick can quickly turn into a life threatening situation. Diabetics often have compromised blood flow to their extremities, which allows for infection to quickly set in and affect nearby tissues. Left untreated, the infected tissue starts to die, releasing bacteria and toxins into the bloodstream. If the bacteria and toxins travel to the heart and kidneys, it is often fatal. A recent diagnosis of congestive heart failure has further complicated the situation making it even more important for him to get any sort of infection under control before it reached his compromised heart.
By New Year’s Eve, Rob wasn’t feeling well, but didn’t think it had anything to do with the cut on his toe... after all, he had been putting an antibiotic ointment on it like most of us would do. But the pain radiating from his toe all the way up to his leg had begun to become unbearable. When Jessica took another look at his foot, the toe had turned from an angry red to a sinister purple and black that was spreading across his foot. They headed straight to the Emergency Room, where Rob was immediately admitted.
On January 3rd, surgeons removed the upper part of Rob’s big toe. Within two days, the remaining stump of his toe began to turn black, along with part of his second toe and part of his foot. There was grave concern that he might lose more toes, maybe even his foot... and perhaps his entire leg. To say that the Nokes family was devastated at this news was an understatement.
On January 7th, Rob became unresponsive and was rushed into ICU, where they found him to be in Acute Kidney Failure. The infection ( sepsis ) had reached his kidneys, and he was placed on dialysis to keep his kidneys from completely shutting down. The fight to keep the infection from reaching Rob’s heart had begun in earnest.
On January 17th, Rob underwent a second surgery for removal of the rest of his big toe, a small part of his foot as well as an area under his second toe. He will require another surgery in two more weeks. The infection from the bacteria is now in his bones as well.
Rob is an automotive parts salesman at a local automotive dealership in town. He deals with in-house mechanics as well as mechanics from surrounding stores. He takes great pride in his job. His modest income is the only financial resource for his family. Rob has five beautiful daughters ranging in ages from 27 to 12. His wife, Jessica, is a stay-at-home-mom who has just started home-schooling their two youngest girls last year.
Rob has always been hard working, always happy to have a job and proud to be able to provide for his family. He has always put the needs of others above his own, often helping people find jobs when they had lost hope. Due to his heart condition, he retired from the Knox County Sheriff’s Dept. in October of 2018 after 20 years of committed service as a Reserve Officer. It was a job that he absolutely loved, yet never got paid a cent for. Rob’s loyalty to his friendships are long-standing. They stand the test of time because Rob has always been the kind of guy that everyone loved having as a friend. Anyone that knows Rob usually has a funny story about his quick wit and sense of humor. But what everyone agrees on is that he is without question the warmest, kindest human being they have ever known.
This ordeal has been a tremendous blow for everyone, but none more so than Rob himself. Throughout his time in the hospital, regardless of his condition, his main concern has been for his family. He wonders whether he will be able to go back to work and provide for them and their future. There is no doubt, however, at this point, that Rob will need financial support for rehabilitation, medical equipment, any uncovered medical expenses... as well as financial support for his family.
Rob is currently receiving care at Vanderbilt but will soon be moving to another facility for intensive rehabilitation, but will be no place for his wife to stay there with him while he is in rehab. In between the time he comes out of rehab and waits the two weeks for surgery, he will have to find lodging in Nashville. Most hotels in that area are expensive and well beyond their level of affordability. Like most Americans, the Nokes’ live paycheck to paycheck, and this has been a huge financial and emotional blow to them. With the enormous amount of taxes, insurance, short term disability, and other miscellaneous deductions that are taken out of Rob’s modest paycheck, there is not much left for any additional expenses, especially of this nature. While Rob is struggling to deal with his health issues, he is also struggling with how he will feed and care for his wife and their two youngest daughters. He worries where his wife will stay while he is in Nashville, as she has threatened to sleep in her car if she has to. But on top of it all, Rob worries about just how he is going to provide for his family... and when that will be possible, if at all.
The Nokes’ are humble, proud people, and would never consider asking anyone for help no matter how hard they might need it. But if ever there is a family in need and deserving of your heartfelt kindness and generosity, it is most certainly them.
This request is being made by several devoted friends who would love for your support with any donations, uplifting prayers, and positive vibes for this kind family. We have set up this fund in the hopes of raising money to help Rob literally get back on his feet and to help his family out in any way possible. Every donation, no matter how small, will help provide for their present day needs as well as their needs in the unforeseen future. Rob is very resilient and determined to get through this... and we are all optimistic that he can and will have a successful recovery.
Thank you so very much.
Fundraising team: Loving Friends (4)
Sallie Johnston
Organizer
Knoxville, TN
Alexandria Nokes
Beneficiary
Cathy Atchley Coleman
Team member
Tracy Armstrong
Team member
Jessica Robison-Nokes
Team member