Surgery Fund for Jessica & Carolyn

This is for my sister Jessica, her four incredible children; Abby, Claire, Sam and Maggie, and my mom, Carolyn.

Here's the score: My sister and my mom need a miracle.

Let's start with my effervescent sister, Jessica.  She made an incredibly hard decision and divorced her spouse of 17 years for reasons that could likely be ripped out of a Danielle Steele novel.  Not being dramatic just being real. Following her divorce, she was laid off from an all girls treatment rehabilitation facility where she beamed with pride for her girls, many of them there for depression, eating disorders, suicide attempts, addiction, etc.  They fell in love with her and she fell in love with them.  The letters and phone calls she's received from these young girls after going home and their parents expressing their gratitude in being a part of saving their/their children's lives is insane.  Before she was laid off though she was attacked by one of the new intakes (it comes with the territory) and suffered a concussion.  No big deal right?  It actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise because she had to go to the hospital and get an x-ray.  This x-ray showed that my sister has a large tumor just behind her nasal cavity/sinuses that has grown/attached to her jaw.  She had it biopsied and it was found to be benign (thank God) but when they tried to remove the tumor it ended in a 6-hour long procedure, some weird "acid wash", 26 stitches and the removal of the tumor was not a success. The doctors have told her that it needs to be removed ASAP because while it's benign it is extremely aggressive and since it's changing size they are very concerned.  Her appointment is in 1 week (1/9/2017) and her recovery time is expected to be 1-2 months. My sister is the best mother to her own children too and here is one example; when she lost her job and couldn't afford the fee's for her kid's to continue to dance at their dance studio (dance is life in that house), she began cleaning the facility in return for free/reduced fees, and she's been doing this for well over a year.  Most people would feel shame but my sister did what she had to do to make a way for her children.  The vulnerability and compassion she shows make me want to be a better person.  Her health has taken a backseat since all of this craziness and she needs a freaking break.  She's not making enough to provide for herself or her kids, she's bartending and doesn't get home until 3 a.m. then starts her day all over again at 6-7am because, motherhood.  Bills are piling up, her car is on the fritz (only family vehicle) and needs a new radiator, she'll need time to heal and process everything without worrying how many extra shifts she'll need to pick up after she's healed, my nieces and nephews shouldn't have to deal with missing orthodontic appointments, therapy sessions (their emotional/mental health is paramount) or school activities because they "can't afford it."  These are basic necessities and my family is going without.  It's a horrible sinking feeling and that's why I've reached out to you. 

Onto my fantastic mother, Carolyn.  She'll be moving in with my sister this month because she is also getting a major surgery.  She has a degenerative disorder that has caused the nerves/muscles to detach from her bone and the majority of the tissue in her feet sit along the ball of her foot which creates an insane amount of pain and walking is incredibly difficult.  Regular shoes don't fit her so she often wears crocs or shoes 3 sizes too big.  She also doesn't have a car so she walks everywhere, until this last year you'd never hear her complain about it though. The doctors will be rebuilding her worst foot on 1/12/17 just 3 days after my sister's surgery and her downtime is 3-4months and then she'll go back into surgery for the other foot around fall.  If you know my mom you know how much of her time and efforts are donated to helping spay and neuter the homeless pet population, she's a foster mom to feral mama cats and kittens, she is an advocate for senior pet adoptions and has had a hand in saving over hundreds of cats and dogs.  My mom is basically the best and like my sister, she is filled with only positivity, optimism and the desire to help take care of the less fortunate.  

They both need a safe space to heal, rebuild and be surrounded by encouraging words, light, and love because the chaos and stress they've both endured the last couple of years has been enough.  I'll be heading to Utah on 1/13/17 to help move my mom out of her apartment (she lives an hour plus away from my sis), set up her stuff in my sister's home, drive the kids to and from school/practice, cook, clean and be there for my family. 

Please donate. Please share. Please, if you know my effervescent sister and her fantastic kids, and my super sweet mom, show my family kindness and love.  If you can't donate please donate some space on your Facebook page and share this post.  Also, I've never done a GoFundMe so I hope I did it right and things didn't get too TMI and you all don't think I'm a freak.

Peace, <3 and happiness,
Kelli