Dear Friends. Vicki is still not well..Unfortunately we have to do this again.

I am writing to you asking for help with Vicki's medical expenses. I have known Vicki for more than 16 years and she needs our help. Vicki is a proud, responsible person who would never ask of this herself so I am asking for her without her knowledge.

Those of you who know Vicki may be aware of her medical crisis, some may not know how serious this issue is in her life. Her failing liver and low blood platelet count puts her health in jeopardy. Combined with her severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, and recently found possible Lymphoma, her condition is quickly weakening. She needs a vast amount of expensive medical drug treatments, weekly lab tests, and countless doctor visits. She is unable to work, is in severe pain everyday, is completely exhausted, stressed, and has zero income at this time.        

We are paying for her hospital plan completely out of pocket, drug treatment, lab tests, and doctors visits with my income solely. I am the sole provider of monies for all living costs for a household of three. I was injured at work with a severe knee injury in which I have had 2 surgeries and have been living on workers comp for almost a year now. We have managed to save our home and transportation up to this point but the money has run out and I must keep up her Health Care Insurance in order to keep her safe and well. If she loses her insurance, no one will cover her with health issues pre determined and her life will be at risk.

The costs are staggering for us even though she has insurance. Deductibles, drugs treatments, lab tests, doctor visits cost so much. She has applied for social security benefits and was denied. We have an attorney working on the case but it could take a year or more to get through this process. I will hopefully be back at work within the next few months and will be better able to handle these costs. However, even with medical, Vicki may need a liver transplant, and/or Cancer treatment, this would still be very costly for us in the future. We are doing everything we can to drum up the monies required for Vicki cutting all expenses to the bare minimum.

Family members have been very giving but that too has been exhausted and I am very grateful for their love and support. So it is now that I have to ask friends and supporters for help.

Most of you know that Vicki is a kind, supportive, selfless giver. She has been a giver throughout her entire life. Always lending a hand in need whenever she can, and even when she can't she still gives more. She has always been a listener to those who have a need and provides advice to anyone who asks. She is a great teacher and has a wealth of knowledge to tap into whenever asked. I dont think there is any one person that knows her who has not been touched by her kindness and support. She has never turned her back to anyone in need, always follows up with a kind word and hearty smile with everyone.  She has taught me so much about love, support, and what selfless random acts of kindness can do for our spirits and hearts alike.

I thank you for your support and know that you will give what you can even if it is a small amount or just keep her in your prayers that we can beat these health trials and manage to keep our home too.

Lori LaFata

 

Updates on Vicki's condition:

Update:9.26.09, a recent ER visit found vicki's spleen enlarged and cat scan shows possible Lymphoma. Biopsy is scheduled for Oct 21. She has been very ill for the last 3-4 weeks even though some meds have been stopped. She is in severe pain and is very weak..but the good news is that her blood numbers are going up slowly. White Cell and platelets. The Liver treatments did not work, and so we will have to live with this for now. Lets help her beat this!! thank you for your support.. 

Update: 10/03/09.. Vicki is still not doing well... she is in bed most of  the time, in severe pain... and now.. stomach issues.. but we gotta find a way for her to want to eat and drink...we do not know what is causing this.. She did manage to be up for a few hours to do some household stuff.. well.. at least better than nothing... we wish to have the biopsy done yesterday.. cause if it is not lymphoma, what is it ??? lets get her the funds to move on with treatment... pray that she gains some weight!!

update: 10/13/09.. Vicki is still very ill and in bed... she is in severe pain especially while breathing because of the spleen enlargement.. she is eating alittle more..but still not enough..every joint in her body is inflamed because of the arthritis.. since she is not recovering well..it may be a sign that there is more to this like the lymphoma that is suspected.. the biopsy is on october 21.. lets make this a positive and help vicki pay for the procedure and treatment !! thank you for all your support!

update:10/28/09..Vicki is still very tired and weak.. she does not feel so good.. she has pains in her side from the enlarged spleen... and enlarged liver... the biopsy has not been reported back yet... so we pray! lets help her get through this ... thank you for all your support!!

update: 11/07/09.. Vicki is still very fatigued and weak, she still is in pain and rests everyday... the biopsy was inconclusive so they are going to do a full body pet scan and more tests... her blood values continue to drop, white cells, and platelets... friends, more tests mean more money so wont you please stand with her and fight!!! Thank you for all your prayers and support.. She knows that help is on the way....