2020 has been a difficult year for a lot of people and Janine was not immune to that. Janine has owned her business, Flowers of Edina, coming up on 30 years this year. The pandemic has not been kind to small business owners and Janine was and continues to be creative about offering ways to continue to keep her business afloat.  From inviting other small businesses and offering collaborative market space for them to also sell their wares to offering discounts for her flowers and gifts.

In addition to Covid, Janine has also been struggling with her health which has added stress to running her business.  In November, Janine had a neurological experience which left her with significant hip pain that limited her mobility.  Despite some physical therapy and a surgical procedure, she is still having pain and is unable to walk without a walker or stand for any length of time.  In addition to that, Janine developed a sinus infection in December that just would not clear up despite antibiotics and steroids.  Janine sought some answers from an ENT doctor and discovered she had a significant deviated septum which contributed to the continued sinus infection not healing. Surgery was scheduled for mid-February so that, true to Janine’s devotion to her store and customers, she could be available for Valentine’s Day, her busiest day of the year.
 
 
Unfortunately, Janine’s health declined, and she didn’t make it to that surgery date.  Janine could barely function and was relying on her friends to do what they could to keep her business running.  Janine finally agreed to go to the emergency room and was admitted to the hospital that same day. There was more going on than the sinus infection.

Janine was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and was very ill.  For the next six days, Janine was stabilized in the hospital and getting the needed medication her body was starving for.  She was discharged home with a lot of information knowing she needed to make some lifestyle changes to include medication to keep her body functioning.  The sinus surgery was moved up as the infection and her diabetes management were at odds with one another and the infection needed to be cleared as soon as possible.  Janine had a successful sinus surgery and could finally begin recuperating and address the diabetes education and management.  

Despite the progress Janine has made with some of her health afflictions, Janine’s hip mobility has decreased and she has gotten weaker. She continues to need a walker for stability and walking. In fact, Janine recently had a fall at work and the paramedics were called to help her get back on her feet.

These last 5 months have put a significant strain on Janine’s ability to run her business full time and therefore has seriously decreased her income. Her health insurance coverage falls far short in covering all the incurred expenses from her health crisis.  And, there is more to come with appts and diagnostic testing to figure out what is going on with her inability to walk.  These circumstances have left Janine struggling with a financial deficit unlike anything she has experienced.  As the medical bills have accumulated it has been very stressful with the reduced income.  Janine is overwhelmed.
 
Janine has been a wonderfully philanthropic part of the Edina community for the last 29+ years.  She has always been willing to donate services, flowers and time to several causes throughout the years.  Flowers bring a smile to everyone who receives them!   Would you be willing to help our friend Janine through this difficult time? This would be a great way for us to show our appreciation for all that Janine has done for her friends and community!
 
Here is the link to Janine's Gofundme account https://gofund.me/d9edc8f6.