Support Karen Toro's Journey to Walk Again

Hello everyone, my name is Karen Toro and I am in need of your help. In July 2024, I had unexpected heart surgery to remove a 2.5 cm piece of plaque from on top of my mitral valve and my life has changed dramatically. I feel like I am in a nightmare! After the surgery, I went to rehabilitation because I could not walk and as of today, April 24th, I am still unable to walk. After a cervical spine MRI, the doctors found that I have four herniated discs in my cervical spine, and they are pressing on the spinal cord, which has given me numb hands. If I do not have surgery, I will lose the use of my arms and hands. These herniations are probably also causing my inability to walk. My surgery is scheduled for May 14, 2025, and I will go into rehabilitation again after the surgery.

My husband, Bob, the love of my life, was at home taking care of himself and our dog and was patiently waiting for my return, but he had a stroke in October 2024 and he passed away on February 25, 2025. I am devastated by the loss of my husband. Unfortunately, he did not have health insurance, so I had to pay for his funeral expenses from the little savings we had. Since Bob passed away, I no longer receive social security for him and my social security and small pension now go to Medicaid to pay for my medical expenses. I no longer have the ability to pay for my household expenses and whatever medical bills I will have. I am totally beside myself. I don't know what to do or who to turn to for help. My friend suggested starting a GoFundMe, so here I am asking for your help and prayers to get me through this nightmare and help me walk again and get back home. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and may God bless you all!