Susan Smit

A few weeks ago, Susan injured her left arm (which was already compromised by lymphedema). She went for treatment after her fingers gradually stopped bending and functioning properly. Her arm swelled and her overall strength became poor. She had difficulty standing and walking and several times she had to ask her roommates for help.

Susan decided to go to the ER where the doctors did surgery and other treatments that night. The doctors said she had so much infection she probably would have died if she had waited another day to come to the ER. Once they believed that they had her arm clear of illness, they were able to amputate her arm a few inches below the elbow, which allows for a prosthetic later. That infection was not systemic, but she also had contracted Covid and another infection (that have already been treated). The doctors want to make sure that her body has healed with another 4-6 weeks of antibiotic treatment after the hospital.

Susan is currently in rehab, where she's learning to do things with one hand, and rebuilding her strength. Once she leaves rehab, she'll continue with some in-home PT/OT care and will need some adaptive equipment.

Susan will use the money raised from this GoFundMe towards her bills, equipment, health insurance, and other expenses until she is able to return to her job.