Mary Margaret’s Story

Site created on December 17, 2020

Mary Margaret began experiencing terrible stomach pains Monday December 14th while subbing at Gainesville High School. She left work early and became sick to her stomach and could not stop vomiting. Jeff drove her to the Gainesville Hospital ER.  After some testing she was diagnosed with an infected gallbladder that they said would require surgery. Gainesville does not do this type of surgery so they began looking to transfer her to another hospital. However, due to the spike in Covid patients a hospital bed was not available anywhere! When the hospital was not locating a bed fast enough several friends snd family with ties to the medical profession began searching for beds in OKC and throughout Texas! Hayden is a first year resident physician at Baylor Scott & White Temple and was able to secure her a bed there. A few more hours passed as transportation was trying to be arranged. Due to fog and misting in the area MM ended up being ambulanced to a Denton Hospital where she was then Careflighted to Temple. She arrived at S&W late Tues afternoon.  MM is very sick.  It is our hope that at the end of this journey we can rejoice at a miraculous healing! God is the one who goes before us. He was not caught by surprise by any of this. He is Faithful and True. His plan is perfect. We do not have to understand, we are to just be faithful praying and petitioning on her behalf. Please join me in doing just that!!
 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

Newest Update

April 22, 2021

Journal entry by charlotte smiley —

Mary M met with her surgeon Thursday. We received what we would herald as good news. He said he thinks she is doing well. He wants to determine how she is doing mainly by symptoms. He said “forget about what the scans show”. Yes she still has abscesses inside her abdomen. Yes they are potentially a problem. Yes she has to be cautious about what she eats and how she cares for herself. Yes she is still on a high powered antibiotic. BUT, she does not have to have any more tubes replaced right now and she may not even have to have surgery. We are taking each month as it comes. AND she has more good days than bad these days. 🙌🙌 ❤️

Her surgeon ordered an upper GI scope because of her persistent heartburn. He ordered blood work to check her nutrition. She has lost a lot of weight through all of this, is losing clumps of hair, and can barely eat because 1) her stomach won’t hold much and 2) nothing tastes good. He wants to get her healthy and let her body work to fight for her! So...she is to drink 3 Ensures a day along with a HEALTHY eating plan. He told her she could have one cheat day a week...after her begging for fried food. 🙄 Some things never change! He also put her on a multi-vitamin. The next scan isn’t for a month. She can drive on days she feels up to it. Basically she NEEDS to go on living a normal life! The stress from worrying about all of this has been taking a toll on her. She felt 10x better just walking to the parking lot after the appt. 
Thursday was a happy day! 😊 

Please continue praying for MM! 
Pray for continued good days!
Pray she gets her nutrition back on par!
Pray food tastes good and she has an appetite...for healthy food. 😅
Pray for the abscesses to DISAPPEAR!
Pray for COMPLETE HEALING!!

Thank you all for your concern for this precious lady. She is a fighter. Let’s gather around and cheer her on!!

“Each one helps his neighbor
And says to his brother, “Be strong!”
Isaiah 41:6

If you would like to encourage MM you can write to her...
8 Scotsmeadow
Gainesville, Tx 76240

If you would like to help with her financial needs:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-mary-margaret-smiley
Or
Venmo @Charlotte-Smiley (The donation goes into a special acct for her at First United Bank)
https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2104688619028480057

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