Lori Needs Our Help

July 2023

Hello, Everyone -

To all who donated to Lori’s fund, thank you so much! Lori was very emotional when I read her your names, and she asked that I thank you all for your generosity and kindness.

Since it’s been a while since I first posted about Lori’s condition, I thought you would all like to get an update on Lori’s health and how she is doing now.

First off, I think many of you already know this story, but for those who don’t Lori was originally diagnosed in Banning as having had a stroke. The regional medical center that reviewed the MRI told her to go home and resume her routine, including her exercise routine, driving, and stated that her language issues would eventually resolve.

In a very short period of time, her language and communication skills drastically worsened. Her co-workers demanded she go to the nearby emergency room at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, rather than drive back to the hospital in Banning. Sharp Grossmont is a well-known and highly regarded medical center in the La Mesa area and they quickly and correctly diagnosed Lori’s condition as a brain tumor known as a glioblastoma, which has a very poor prognosis for the long term.

At first, Lori was told her tumors were inoperable, but a neurosurgeon at the medical center felt they could effectively remove parts of the larger tumor. This surgery required Lori to be awake so she could continue speaking with the surgical team as they removed parts of the tumor from the speech section of her brain.

Lori suffered some serious setbacks following this surgery. Due to brain swelling, she was unable to walk and unable to speak. But what she did not lose was her determination, her incentive, her drive, and her quick wit and humor. After the swelling subsided a bit, Lori was transferred to their onsite rehabilitation unit. She has physical, speech, recreational, and other therapies all designed to assist her in trying to establish her new normal life. The rehab is daily from 8:00AM to 3:00PM. She's still not able to walk, but is slowing regaining her communication skills as she learns how to speak again.

Lori has one goal and it has not changed over the 45+ days she's been in the hospital. That goal is to live independently. She cannot return to Banning because her Medicare has been to transferred to San Diego county so she can remain under the care of the physicians who correctly diagnosed her condition. Her future care includes chemo and radiation therapy to slow the tumor's regrowth.

Lori is currently scheduled to complete rehab on July 18, and if released by the hospital at that time, she will most likely be staying temporarily with an old friend of hers who has graciously offered her home until Lori can find a place of her own.

If you haven’t yet donated or would like to donate again, any funds you send are greatly appreciated and will be used to help Lori achieve her dream of independence. She wants to return to cutting hair and hopes to find a small studio close to the hospital so she can take the bus or walk to it for treatments. Her primary dream right now is to be reunited with her two precious cats.

Feel free to continue to send your messages of support to her Facebook account. She has no trouble reading your words, but she still struggles with replying.

Thanks,

Mike