SCHEER: Local podcast host dealing with health concern during holidays

The first sign of real trouble for Robin Restaino came on a Thursday in mid-October.

She started feeling sick with flu-like symptoms and thought maybe she had a COVID-19 reinfection.

The next day, she felt a little better.

Unfortunately, when the weekend arrived, she had a terrible headache and a general sick feeling.

Her husband, John, took her to the hospital where doctors confirmed Robin was experiencing a very serious health problem.

“They told us she was suffering kidney failure,” John Restaino recalled.

John said doctors believe his wife may have been suffering silently from an unknown illness or undetected infection before serious symptoms set in.

The diagnosis came as a major shock to the couple who are two of the main personalities and voices behind “Citizens United,” a local podcast that focuses on the often-questionable nature of politics and government in Niagara County and Niagara Falls.

“It just popped up,” John said. “We weren’t thinking about kidney disease. We were thinking about a lot of other things other than that.”

“It’s just bizarre,” he added. “It’s crazy that she went from nothing to this.”

Robin spent several days in the hospital’s intensive care unit and underwent three blood transfusions. Additional tests, more treatments and more hospital visits are now part of the couple’s “normal” schedule.

Robin’s condition, which involves a high level of fatigue, has forced her to step away from her job at a local credit union, at least temporarily.

While their focus remains on Robin’s health and recovery, the couple is also dealing with a secondary concern: The financial realities of losing a full-time income in their household.

“Our life is a pretty wide open book just because that’s how the podcast is to admit you don’t have something is hard,” John said. “We’re scared because seriously, and it’s no joke, every morning’s been so crazy for the past five weeks and we don’t know what’s coming next.”

To assist with medical and other bills, Noelle DelZoppo, the Restainos’ co-host on the podcast, has set up a GoFundMe account.

She said it’s a small way to try to help two people who have done a lot for her in recent years.

“They are always doing stuff for everybody else,” she said. They are always doing what they can for other people. They stood by my side and whatever I needed they were always there for me.”

While they’ve had a lot of sleepless nights in recent weeks, John said he and Robin remain hopeful for a good outcome. They are also looking forward to enjoying time with friends and family, including their two grandchildren, during the Christmas holiday.

Of course, they’ll continue hosting the podcast, which broadcast its 172nd episode last week. Residents can tune in by following “Citizens United” on Facebook.

“We went from zero to critical in too short a time,” John said. “It’s hard to even really believe it’s happening.”

“We’re going to enjoy (Christmas) because we’ll be with the grandkids,” he added. “We’re definitely going to enjoy that. I know Robins really looking forward to it. I never believed in that cliche one day at a time, but this year it’s going to have to be.”

To donate to the GoFundMe page for the Restainos, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/37fpezg6ko?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook .

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Mark Scheer is a reporter and columnist for the Niagara Gazette who always follows up on tips phoned into the newsroom, even the ones that sound sort of dubious. You can reach him by telephone at 716-282-2311, ext. 2254 or via email at mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com.