On Monday, March 2, Renee was admitted to Hershey Medical Center because of extreme weakness in her arms and legs. After a battery of tests, the doctors started her on medication for Myasthenia Gravis (MG). She was discharged on March 5 and since then has been receiving in-home Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy each one time a week. Renee is under the care of the neurology and endocrinology teams at Hershey Medical Center as well as her PCP and a functional medicine doctor.

Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disease and while it affects people differently, Renee has experienced weakness in her arms, legs, and eyes. Most days her arms are strong enough to perform tasks like dressing and showering, but there have been some days that it is difficult for her to pick up her phone. Her legs continue to present the most problems and she needs to use a walker. Some days her one eyelid droops which causes blurry vision and extra fatigue as her body works to correct the vision. She has not been cleared to drive. The doctors are hopeful she'll return to more normal functions, but warn that it could take months for that to happen.

Andrew and Renee have 4 young boys - ages 8, 6, 3, and 1. She's not be cleared to be by herself with the boys so she needs to have someone with her 24/7. Andrew has taken many days off work in the last month to care for his family; family and church friends have stayed with Renee other days. In the next few weeks and months, they will need to install air conditioning in their house as hot weather can cause MG flare ups. In addition, they'll need to hire household/child care help, cover medial bills and medications that insurance won't cover, and replace some of Andrew's lost wages. Any donation you make will go to Andrew & Renee to use as they need at the moment. Anything raised over the goal will be saved for the future. Sadly, since MG is an autoimmune disease, she will be prone to flare ups in the future.

If you are not able to give financially, we understand and invite you to care for them by praying or signing up to bring a meal. https://takethemameal.com/QDHM6507