Wendy's Medical Journey- A Tale of Resilience and Hope

In the blink of an eye, everything changed for my dear friend, Wendy Emerson. On September 29, 2024, she was hospitalized and diagnosed with congestive heart failure. This sudden turn of events marked the beginning of a challenging journey for Wendy, one filled with both medical and financial hurdles.

After spending five days in Mercy Hospital’s cardiac unit, Wendy was discharged and returned home. She required two weeks of in-home nursing care, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to aid her recovery. Remarkably, Wendy resumed her full-time remote job in the healthcare industry and continued homeschooling her twelve-year-old grandson, Gannon.

However, on January 26, 2025, Wendy experienced another setback. During her lunch break, she felt weak and collapsed on the bathroom floor. Gannon, acting quickly, ran to the neighbors for help. Wendy was transported to Unity Hospital, as there were no available beds at Mercy. She spent four days at Unity Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. Recognizing the need to build her strength, her doctor transferred her to St. Anthony Rehab before she could return home.

Unfortunately, Wendy's experience at St. Anthony was far from positive. The facility couldn't meet her care or dietary needs, and Wendy felt her condition worsening. On February 4th, Wendy went into atrial fibrillation. Using her determination and verbal skills, she convinced the ambulance driver to take her directly to Mercy Hospital, where she was diagnosed with new A-fib likely caused by uncontrolled Graves' disease.

On March 7th, Wendy was discharged to the Villages of Osseo with a correct diagnosis and treatment plan to regain her strength and return home to Gannon. The Villages of Osseo is a great facility that can meet all of Wendy’s needs, providing her with hope for a better recovery.

Despite the medical support, Wendy's financial burdens continue to mount. Her out-of-pocket costs from her hospital stay and home health care last fall are $7,000. She has yet to receive the bills from her last 14 days of hospitalization and her ongoing short-term rehabilitation. Adding to the stress, Wendy has been advised that she can only return to work part-time. Although she has short-term disability insurance that will replace 60% of her income for 12 weeks, the financial uncertainty is overwhelming.

Wendy now faces a difficult decision: should she pay the mortgage on the home she worked so hard to purchase eight years ago, or start paying down her mounting medical bills? This financial strain is extremely stressful for her, and any support to help Wendy keep the home she has made for her grandson would be greatly appreciated.

Wendy's journey is a testament to her resilience and hope. Despite the challenges, she remains determined to recover and provide a stable home for Gannon. Please consider offering your support to help Wendy navigate this difficult period in her life.