NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — One bucket of water at a time is how the Fulford family is trying to survive after water and electrical service were turned off after a pipe burst early Sunday morning.

“I got up to take a bath,” said Veda Fulford. “Oh. I turned around. I was on the phone. I noticed that I was hearing something drop. When I turned around, there was water coming from my ceiling and another corner. It was dropping on my sofa.”

The electrical panel box is red-tagged, which means it must be fixed within 16 days. An insurance adjuster is expected in a few days.

Survival is a major challenge for the 38-year-old mother of three. One leg was amputated in 2020, and the following year, the other leg was amputated due to bone disease. Fulford said she developed sepsis following spinal cord surgery at Sentara Norfolk General in October.

Asked if she was in hospice, Fulford said “hospice and home health, I guess, it is all together and related. They [doctors] told me that they felt that there was nothing else they could do for me.

Fulford said she manages by leaning on her husband and sister-and-law, “and I just go with the flow.”

Rico Fulford, who is recovering from a car accident, is by Veda Fulford’s side to help with meals and medicine. The children are staying with family members.

Shema Everidge, a nurse from Briggs Home Health, stopped by to examine her long-term patient.

“Now, as a nurse, Ms. Veda clearly cannot stay in this situation because she has open wounds with no running water, as her husband stated,” Everidge said. “And this is deplorable, and I am very upset to see her like this. So if you guys can do anything to help, it will be greatly appreciated by the company and myself.”

10 On Your Side reached out to the city of Norfolk. A spokesperson said they have connected Veda Fulford with Adult Protective Services. Kelly Straub, Norfolk’s Director of Communications and Marketing, said Norfolk residents who are in difficult situations should reach out directly to the Department of Human Services.

If you would like to help, see Veda Fulford’s GoFundMe page.