Nanette's Funeral Cost
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Maurice. I am Nanett's little brother
and I am writing this on behaf of our family.
Someone suggested to create this site for my sister,
Nanette L. Rubin.
'Sissa', as I like to call her, was just beginning to get her life and career back in order, following a divorce. The events following August 17, 2015 would forever change any plans she had for a future as a strong, independent woman with a new job as a teacher.
About a month prior, she was having some vague abdominal pain which she thought was related to constipation and later indigestion. She finally saw her primary doctor and was told that he saw some blood in her urine and suspected that she had a kidney stone. Her doctor ordered a Cat scan and advised her to drink lots of fluids. She couldn't wait to get the Cat scan done soon enough, and went to Urgent Care for severe abdominal pain. The Cat scan revealed multiple masses on her liver and pancreas, suspicious for cancer, and she was sent to the emergency room to get admitted to the hospital for further evaluation.
Sissa called me late that evening and told me I should call our brother and mother and come immediately to the hospital. Once we all arrived at the hospital, we could tell something was not right. Sissa looked frail, ill and in pain. She underwent a liver biopsy and was given a lot of pain medications and subsequently discharged home with an appointment to see an Oncologist the following week for the biopsy results .
Unfortunately 2 days later, Sissa returned to the Emergency Room on August 22, 2015 with worsening abdominal pain and unable to tolerate any food.
While waiting to be seen by an ER physician, Sissa had a seizure and was later diagnosed with an acute stroke which impaired her speech and mobility. The biopsy results revealed Stage 4 pancreatic cancer with metastasis to the liver. One doctor suggested that she probably has 3 months to live. WTF! She's only 53 years old with 3 adult children, 1 of which is mentally delayed, and 3 grandchildren.
Our family meeting with the medical team agreed that we did not want her to suffer in pain and agony and made the difficult decision to place her on Hospice care. She was able to meekly mutter, "Why is this happening to me?" We updated her regarding her poor prognosis and attempted to ask her final wishes. Sissa could nod yes/no to simple questions and after discussing burial options, she muttered "casket". The family initially thought about cremation due to cost but how could we not honor her final wishes despite our lack of funds?
Physical therapy was able to get her to stand for less than 30 seconds with two person maximum assist, which gave us false hope that Sissa would improve slowly in health. She could only drink liquids and was even able to finish a glass of Mocha blend which her son got for her.
On August 23, 2015, we thought Sissa was sleeping strongly from the Ativan she got the previous night to help her sleep and she was not asking for any pain medication.
The doctor called us the following morning to inform us that there was a change in her condition as she was no longer verbally responsive. A repeat MRI of the brain revealed a new stroke with two areas of small bleeding. One doctor suggested to optimize Sissa's comfort by placing her on a Morphine drip but the Hospice team said it was not appropriate at this time since she was not in respiratory distress or did not have uncontrolled symptoms or unstable vital signs.
Fortunately, we found a great Board and Care facility called "Our Sweet Home" and Sissa was sent there on Hospice care. She no longer is able to eat or drink and our family is scrambeling to make funeral arrangements.
Sissa is not expected to make it past the upcoming week.
It is with humble hearts that we ask for prayers and financial aid for burial costs which is approximately $8,000.00
Nanette is a beautiful person inside and out and we wish you could know her. She is always positive in her way and walk, and was a Superhero to all she touched. Nanette loved famous quotes and always shared them with everyone she met. One of her favorites was,
"When you are going through something hard, and wonder where God is, remember the teacher is always quiet during a test".
If unable to donate, we hope our story encourages families to consider advanced directives and end of life decisions/discussions or communicating with loved ones regarding end of life wishes.
Thank you in advance.
Much Love and Blessings,
Nanette's family
and I am writing this on behaf of our family.
Someone suggested to create this site for my sister,
Nanette L. Rubin.
'Sissa', as I like to call her, was just beginning to get her life and career back in order, following a divorce. The events following August 17, 2015 would forever change any plans she had for a future as a strong, independent woman with a new job as a teacher.
About a month prior, she was having some vague abdominal pain which she thought was related to constipation and later indigestion. She finally saw her primary doctor and was told that he saw some blood in her urine and suspected that she had a kidney stone. Her doctor ordered a Cat scan and advised her to drink lots of fluids. She couldn't wait to get the Cat scan done soon enough, and went to Urgent Care for severe abdominal pain. The Cat scan revealed multiple masses on her liver and pancreas, suspicious for cancer, and she was sent to the emergency room to get admitted to the hospital for further evaluation.
Sissa called me late that evening and told me I should call our brother and mother and come immediately to the hospital. Once we all arrived at the hospital, we could tell something was not right. Sissa looked frail, ill and in pain. She underwent a liver biopsy and was given a lot of pain medications and subsequently discharged home with an appointment to see an Oncologist the following week for the biopsy results .
Unfortunately 2 days later, Sissa returned to the Emergency Room on August 22, 2015 with worsening abdominal pain and unable to tolerate any food.
While waiting to be seen by an ER physician, Sissa had a seizure and was later diagnosed with an acute stroke which impaired her speech and mobility. The biopsy results revealed Stage 4 pancreatic cancer with metastasis to the liver. One doctor suggested that she probably has 3 months to live. WTF! She's only 53 years old with 3 adult children, 1 of which is mentally delayed, and 3 grandchildren.
Our family meeting with the medical team agreed that we did not want her to suffer in pain and agony and made the difficult decision to place her on Hospice care. She was able to meekly mutter, "Why is this happening to me?" We updated her regarding her poor prognosis and attempted to ask her final wishes. Sissa could nod yes/no to simple questions and after discussing burial options, she muttered "casket". The family initially thought about cremation due to cost but how could we not honor her final wishes despite our lack of funds?
Physical therapy was able to get her to stand for less than 30 seconds with two person maximum assist, which gave us false hope that Sissa would improve slowly in health. She could only drink liquids and was even able to finish a glass of Mocha blend which her son got for her.
On August 23, 2015, we thought Sissa was sleeping strongly from the Ativan she got the previous night to help her sleep and she was not asking for any pain medication.
The doctor called us the following morning to inform us that there was a change in her condition as she was no longer verbally responsive. A repeat MRI of the brain revealed a new stroke with two areas of small bleeding. One doctor suggested to optimize Sissa's comfort by placing her on a Morphine drip but the Hospice team said it was not appropriate at this time since she was not in respiratory distress or did not have uncontrolled symptoms or unstable vital signs.
Fortunately, we found a great Board and Care facility called "Our Sweet Home" and Sissa was sent there on Hospice care. She no longer is able to eat or drink and our family is scrambeling to make funeral arrangements.
Sissa is not expected to make it past the upcoming week.
It is with humble hearts that we ask for prayers and financial aid for burial costs which is approximately $8,000.00
Nanette is a beautiful person inside and out and we wish you could know her. She is always positive in her way and walk, and was a Superhero to all she touched. Nanette loved famous quotes and always shared them with everyone she met. One of her favorites was,
"When you are going through something hard, and wonder where God is, remember the teacher is always quiet during a test".
If unable to donate, we hope our story encourages families to consider advanced directives and end of life decisions/discussions or communicating with loved ones regarding end of life wishes.
Thank you in advance.
Much Love and Blessings,
Nanette's family
Organizer
Mo Gindratt
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
