In Support of Barbara Stewart
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Welcome to our Barbara Support Page!
UPDATE: FUNDS HAVE BEEN RAISED AND SURGERY IS SCHEDULED!
My name is Shelbie and I am one of Barbara's best friends and cheerleaders! We are asking for your help to get Barbara a lifesaving surgery that has been denied by her insurance company. Over the past few months Barabara has been having strokes, experienced cognitive decline, been mistreated and misrepresented by the medical system, been displaced from her home with her husband and son, and been made aware of a birth defect that is now causing her life changing health problems. Seeing my friend, who is a young, vibrant, smart, and caring Mother, Wife, Friend, Daughter, Sister, and Co-Worker, go through such trials with no answer or end in sight has been horrible. It is time to get this procedure done so that she can start rebuilding her life. She will have many months of recovery and cognitive therapy after this procedure - it is still a long road ahead. I will let Barbarba tell you about it herself below:
"My name is Barbara, and I am asking for help as I fight to get the medical care I urgently need. On May 4th I experienced a minor stroke (TIA) caused by a hole in my heart, known as a PFO. What should have led to fast, careful treatment instead became an exhausting and frightening experience. While I was in Wisconsin, I faced medical neglect at a time when every moment mattered and had multiple neurological events while waiting for care. This led me to seek medical care in Tennessee. I left my husband, son, and home in order to have access to the immediate care that I so badly needed.
UPDATE: FUNDS HAVE BEEN RAISED AND SURGERY IS SCHEDULED!
My name is Shelbie and I am one of Barbara's best friends and cheerleaders! We are asking for your help to get Barbara a lifesaving surgery that has been denied by her insurance company. Over the past few months Barabara has been having strokes, experienced cognitive decline, been mistreated and misrepresented by the medical system, been displaced from her home with her husband and son, and been made aware of a birth defect that is now causing her life changing health problems. Seeing my friend, who is a young, vibrant, smart, and caring Mother, Wife, Friend, Daughter, Sister, and Co-Worker, go through such trials with no answer or end in sight has been horrible. It is time to get this procedure done so that she can start rebuilding her life. She will have many months of recovery and cognitive therapy after this procedure - it is still a long road ahead. I will let Barbarba tell you about it herself below:
"My name is Barbara, and I am asking for help as I fight to get the medical care I urgently need. On May 4th I experienced a minor stroke (TIA) caused by a hole in my heart, known as a PFO. What should have led to fast, careful treatment instead became an exhausting and frightening experience. While I was in Wisconsin, I faced medical neglect at a time when every moment mattered and had multiple neurological events while waiting for care. This led me to seek medical care in Tennessee. I left my husband, son, and home in order to have access to the immediate care that I so badly needed.
On July 14, Williamson Medical Center received my medical records and after reviewing them, they booked me to see a cardiologist on July 15 at 8AM. The cardiologist I met with at the consult was shocked at the tests both ran and not ran, the medications I was put on, and the overall lack of treatment plan for my condition. The cardiologist moved me into his schedule with urgency to receive 3 imaging tests needed for the procedure to close my PFO and I was able to have those done within a week. Finally, some answers and a plan!
On August 4th I met with a cardiologist who specializes in PFO closures. He reviewed my imaging results and agreed we need to get this done and once insurance approves it, he was going to get me in within a week to get it closed. Finally, the light at the end of tunnel was seen, I would get to go back to Wisconsin to be with my husband and son and I won’t have to spend every day wondering if I might have a minor stroke or even worse a major stroke. Unfortunately, though, insurance has declined my life-saving procedure.
The reason for my insurance declining the procedure is due to my age and the number of bubbles from my echo cardiogram not meeting their requirements. My cardiologist who specializes in PFO closures has called my insurance company twice for a peer-to-peer review to appeal this decision, explaining that despite my age and the number of bubbles I have, I am at a high risk of a major stroke, and this procedure should be approved.
On August 16 I had another stroke event and was admitted into the hospital. My cardiologist came and talked with me, and I asked him what other treatment options there are if insurance will not approve this and he said there isn’t one. Without insurance coverage, this procedure is going to cost $75,000.00. This GoFundMe has been made as the last resort in a very long and unfortunate series of life events. I wish there was another way, but there isn’t. I need this procedure. I need it to stop these stroke episodes from happening and to lower the risk of a life altering major stroke. I need it so I no longer spend each day feeling like I am a ticking time bomb for a medical emergency. I need it so my life can go back to normal, and I can be a healthy and present mother, wife, and friend. I appreciate the time to read and any help that can be offered."
Please help us help our favorite red head! If you know Barbara, you know she is the light and laughter is so many rooms. Let's help her get back to herself! Thank you for anything you can do to contribute to this cause. We know it is a lot to ask for financially, but maybe with the village we have from Tennessee to Wisconsin, we can make a miracle happen for Babs and her family!
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Thank you from the deepest part of our hearts.
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- Created Aug 18, 2026
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Brigidburdette 6 days ago • on 'Barbara is home!' update
Blattner Family 8 days ago • with donation
DEANNA HATTER 10 days ago • with donation
Erika Rudin 10 days ago • with donation
Jena Gribble 11 days ago • with donation
Anonymous 13 days ago • with donation