OR Nurse Needs Help

By Tiffany Craig Investigative Reporter

For years she helped others. Now, an operating room nurse desperately needs help too. OR Nurse Needs Help

Published: Wed, January 30, 2008 - 6:05 pm

Tiffany Craig

For more than 20 years, Bernadette Bailey helped others. I'm the one that's been giving the help. I'm the one that's supposed to give the help!"

But as fate would have it, this operating room nurse is sick herself. She shares her diagnosis with Tiffany Craig. "I have the Pheochromocytoma tumor. The reason I have the tumor is a rare genetic disorder called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia that causes tumors to rise from the brain, the spinal cord and all the organs."

From the outside she looks okay but she desperately needs the tumor removed. "So what happens if you don't get this surgery? I'm going to die."

The condition has so many side effects; Bailey feared putting others in danger. I'm unsuccessful at staying at work for a respectable length of time. The things that normally cause a nurse to kick into fast gear and function beautifully under stress causes fluctuation in my blood pressure. I have to stop because I can black out."

Now without a job and insurance, the cost to keep going is just too much. "I was on worker's compensation for an injury and they stopped it. I can't meet my financial responsibilities so."

So, Bailey is moving out of a Satsuma rental home and into her car. She can't afford to live any other way.

Bailey has a surgery scheduled for March at UAB and needs help getting through until then.

You can make a donation in Bernadette Bailey's name at the University of South Alabama Credit Union on Hillcrest Road.

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j.anderson Says:

Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 9:57 pm

I am not real sure how many of you know about Tennessee Walking Horse Shows, if someone would donate the facilities I would gladly put a Huge Walking&Racking;horse show on with all the proceeds going to Ms. Bailey. I know that Irby Real Estate in Mobile is real involved in this industry. I live I live in Monroe County but I have had many shows to raise money for charity functions. My husband was diagnosed with cancer in Aug. of last year I know how hard this has got to be for her and her family. If anyone thinks this would help I can be contacted . These horse shows are great fund raising benefits and are great family fun.

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mustuknow Says:

Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 8:20 pm

It is a shame that the doctors that she worked with for the last 20 years are not here offering their assistance to her. Can Ms. Bailey not qualify for some state aid or emergency assistance??? It is a shame that we have people in this country that have never worked a day in their life and they live on Public Assistance, Medicaid and/or Medicare, Assistance with their housing and so on. Surely there is some Social Worker out there that knows of some assistance that can help Mrs. Bailey.

On a personal note, my thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Bailey. I am not in a position to help her as I have had several hospitilizations and surgeries in the past 6 months myself but I know that there are those who are in the position to help her and those who will help her and to those, God will Bless you many times over for your generosity.

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jennmorace Says:

Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 7:43 pm

I live in Gulf Shores and not to sure how convenient the location would be to Ms Bailey for her medical needs, but I would gladly make room in my home for her. It breaks my heart to think she would be living in her car. My best friends 2 1/2 year old son was just diagnosed with a stage IV Neuroblastoma in December, and the support that their family has recieved from total strangers is inspiring. Unfortunately, I do not have the funds to help support her independently, but could offer to share with her all we have at our home. I have two little girls, ages 5 and 7 and was divorced last year. I can be contacted at if she is interested.

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Mary Lynne Says:

Wed, Jan 30, 2008 at 6:16 pm

Please let Mrs. Bailey know that we would gladly open our home to her. She is welcome to stay with us until she is able to go back to work.

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