Support Melissa’s Recovery from Amputation Surgery

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm reaching out to you with a heavy heart and a plea for help for my sister Melissa. Soon she will have to undergo amputation surgery just below her knee. This is devastating news for someone who spends all of her days on her feet, as a nurse, helping others. It has been a scary time for her having to come to grips with what life will look like after such a major procedure and recovery period.

It all started in August of 2021 when, while at work, Melissa fell and broke all three bones in her ankle. She had emergency surgery the following day but, unfortunately, due to malpractice, that procedure failed and she required an additional surgery the following March. After over a year, she was eventually released to go back to work but continued dealing with excruciating pain and increased swelling. After suffering for months and repeatedly being told it was ‘just arthritis’ (more malpractice) she was finally able to get a second opinion this January. She was shocked to learn that her ankle has now collapsed from an undiagnosed fracture of the talus. At this point, there is no saving it or reconstructing because the bone has died off. After many opinions in Erie and Pittsburgh, the only solution is to amputate below the knee.

Despite her resilience and determination to fight through this injury, the medical bills have been piling up, and the financial strain is becoming overwhelming. To make matters worse, due to the severity of her condition and on doctor’s orders, Miss has been unable to work for the last few months. Workers’ Compensation has suddenly decided to fight her claim and stopped all benefits leaving her without a paycheck for months and unpaid medical bills. This loss of income has added to the burden, making it increasingly difficult for her to cover basic living costs, let alone the mounting medical expenses.

No one should ever have to be in this position and asking for help is uncomfortable and hard. I know she won’t ask for herself so I will ask all of you for her. Your generosity and kindness will make a world of difference for Melissa during this challenging time. By contributing to this GoFundMe campaign, you can help alleviate the financial strain of her medical expenses and provide much-needed support to cover lost wages.

Every donation, no matter the size, will be deeply appreciated and will go directly towards easing the burden on Melissa. Your support will not only help relieve the stress of financial uncertainty but also provide Miss with the peace of mind she needs to focus on her recovery journey. Please consider making a gift today and sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and networks. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in Melissa’s life and help her finally overcome this difficult chapter.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity, compassion, and support.

With immense gratitude,

Lauren