This is a message calling for support for our friend and neighbor Smitty. He is recovering from emergency surgery that he underwent just over a week ago.
The doctor said Rachelle got him to the hospital with only a couple of hours to save his life. Thankfully he is strong and has returned home to recuperate, preparing for more surgery in a few weeks. Their good friends Jim and Sally flew down immediately and are providing much help and support. Many others want to pitch in.
Nine days in the hospital takes its toll on everyone involved. There are the days of waiting and wondering about the outcome of tests. There are the hours of sitting up in the night while nurses and doctors provide their best treatment. There are the minutes of listening to the monitors beeping out alarms.
And of course in the back of one's mind is the thought of how to deal with the mounting bill. At Smitty's admittance, the hospital required the first of several $10,000 installments. These are rapidly depleting Rachelle's personal retirement savings. Unfortunately, Smitty's VA benefits will not cover his expenses while in Panama.
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Leslie "Marco" Lieurance
233 El Centinela