Ellen Berg and family need your help.

Ellen and I are private people by nature. Certainly not antisocial, and we can be plenty entertaining, but we’re not the type to air our grievances or to whine about our hardships. We face our challenges, overcome them if possible, and then move on… Until now.

Truth be told we're in over our heads. We are both near 70, and while I am healthy enough, Ellen is decidedly not well! Worsening gastrointestinal issues that started nearly two years ago but weren't definitively diagnosed until a month and a half ago have been added to horrible neuropathy in both feet and legs. The side effects thereof are bad enough (she’s been down to 95 pounds)but the side effects of the side effects are the bigger problem. I am referring to constant chaos that has been loosed upon her electrolytes, internal body chemistry, and ability to nourish herself.

Not enough magnesium and your appetite is destroyed. Not that you don’t want to eat, but that the mere thought of food repulses you. Dropping levels of sodium leads to confusion, lethargy, nausea, and can cause death. These are only two examples. There are many, many more. As each chemical is expelled and depleted the symptoms avalanche one following another. Then even the experts are flummoxed as to which, or whom in the various medical specialties are responsible for the patient's care. What’s worse is that each 'hand off' to the next doctor in line is prefaced by, 'you’ll need to make an appointment'. And so another 4 to 6 week lapse occurs. And that, in a convoluted nutshell, is where Ellen and I are at now. Not able to work, canceling opportunities to earn a living, alienating longtime clients, missing out on new clientele, falling behind on bills, taxes, and obligations. Visits to various doctors. Transportation to and from the appointments. Two extended hospital stays plus emergency trips. The various EMTs and firefighters who carry Ellen up and down our steps know us by name now. Just getting swallowed up in harsh realities. Oh. And there's all the expenses that I'm not even aware of yet. Trying to keep my sweetheart alive long enough to make it to the next appointment which may save her life but is another three weeks down the road. Also, and this is the most cruel; EVERY(!!) step of the journey is expensive. And the costs pile up!... Having said all this. We've also met awesome medical professionals in this journey. In particular the crew on the second floor at the Outer Banks Hospital are wonderful! There's bonafide (s)heros up there. And the firefighters and EMTs. And our doctors. EVERYBODY HAS CARED SO MUCH. Things took time to cipher out, though. And, finally. Some 'better' news.

During our last visit with our Gastro intestinal specialist in Chesapeake, Virginia, he mentioned that as Ellen regains strength other challenges will confront us. Well, yay! I heard better. (I was thinking that we were maybe near to her passing.) Essentially, however, Jon, and I cannot, not have eyes or ears monitoring her 24 hours a day and all that that entails. Hence our need for help. But... Now we are facing -hoping- for a prolonged recovery. But for the grace of God, every one of us may be one burp, cough or case of diarrhea away from the cascading effects that has brought Ellen and I to this point. If you can help financially, please do. If you can’t, we understand. Your thoughts and prayers have value as well and they are cherished too.

Thank you to any, and everyone, who reads this and responds as best as you can. We love you all! thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Vic, Ellen, our son, Jonathon, and our faithful hound, Irie