Support for the Stroup Family Amidst Health Crises

Hello friends & family!

As many of you are aware, the last 7 months or so have been difficult for our family of 4. Kennedy finally had tubes placed after 10 gnarly ear infections, Kipling has been hospitalized 3 times with hypoxemia (low blood oxygen) with no known cause, Kip & I were in a hit-and-run accident, and most recently, Todd fractured several vertebrae in his neck. We have spent an enormous amount of time in the hospital, with still much more to come.

Kipling: We have been unable to identify the cause of hypoxemia. Kip’s heart exam was normal. The pediatric pulmonologist is at a loss and we are monitoring her daily oxygen levels.

Todd: We do not actually know how Todd broke his neck. He had been feeling some mild shoulder pain during the work week, built a pergola on Saturday, felt more sore on Sunday, then woke up in excruciating pain on Monday morning, May 20. Initially, he thought he dislocated his shoulder from where the pain was radiating. He went to the Reno Orthopedic Clinic where he had x-rays and was then referred for an immediate MRI. We met with a neurosurgeon the following day. Todd has damage to his cervical spine C2-C7 including fracture, bone spurs, bulging discs, and cord deformity. In an effort to reduce inflammation, Todd has taken a variety of medications, had a cortisol epidural in his spine, and has undergone physical therapy. Todd’s current symptoms include the inability to lift his head forward, a complete loss of feeling and movement in the left half of his left hand, numbness from neck to fingertips on his left side, general pain, and muscle spasms.

Todd is scheduled for an ‘anterior cervical discectomy with fusion four levels’ on July 17, 2024. Four disks will be removed and five vertebrae will be fused together. Todd will be on basic bed rest for the first two weeks, then he will be able to increase activity levels every two weeks thereafter. He will be unable to lift more than 5 pounds or bend over for the first six weeks.

We are grateful that people have asked what they can do to help us. Our primary concern in the coming months outside of Todd’s recovery is keeping up financially. Todd will not be able to work for 6 weeks post-surgery, this time will be unpaid. Todd’s employer has graciously made arrangements for him to work from home, as he is able following the initial 6 weeks until he is able to return in person.

Thank you again to everyone who has asked how they can help. Here is what would help us for the time being: