In April 2020, my mom's husband Rick got blessed with a 2nd chance at life at 69 years old when he received a double kidney and liver transplant at the peak of Covid after 8 years of being on a waitlist.

While the transplants did not have any complications, this last year they've had dozens of trips to the ER and ICU, and non-stop testing with several different specialists continually trying to diagnose the cause of his worsening conditions - without any success... In January, he was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 lung cancer.

Rick jokes about having 9 lives, and he is well aware he is now on his last life that he's playfully dubbed ‘The Last Waltz’.

He has come to terms with this and we have moved him from the Allegheny General Hospital ICU to home-hospice care in an effort to minimize his pain and suffering as he gets mentally, emotionally and spiritually prepared for his cross-over.

Over the last 3 years, my 64 yr old mother Karen has been caring for Rick full-time (when he has not been in the ER or ICU) - while working her full-time job from home - and a part-time job on the weekends trying to make ends meet...

All while selflessly putting off getting her own (very much needed) hip replacement surgery because she has used all of her PTO caring for her husband.

For the last 4 weeks, my mom has been on unpaid FMLA leave from both of her jobs as Rick has been needing 24/7 care in this final chapter of his story. Rick's strength has depleted so much this last week, and combined with her own physical limitations, she is no longer physically capable of caring for him by herself.

Medicare, along with supplemental insurance has and is covering the vast majority of his medical bills and hospice care, but they will not cover the additional caregiver support she is needing to support her in her efforts to continue caring for her husband in his final stages of life.

Between the ongoing lost wages of 3 separate incomes, and now paying out of pocket for the additional caregiver support she desparately needs, this situation has put our family in a bind financially.

We are kindly asking for all the PRAYERS we can get for Rick, who has come to terms with his mortality,

And, for my mom Karen who has not yet had any time to process any of this yet, while she has been stretched to her limits physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially while caring for her husband these last few years.

And, if God puts it on your heart, our family would be very grateful if you could PLEASE SHARE this post with other prayer warriors,

Any and all financial contributions, or ANY ASSISTANCE at all helping us get my mother the additional caregiver support she needs would be greatly appreciated!!

Also, please consider supporting Karen by purchasing one of Ricks's original art pieces or prints. Click the link below to learn more about Rick, his creative artistic talents and to check out his work.

https://www.artlifting.com/collections/rick-ruark

From my family to yours,

THANK YOU ALL so much for the PRAYERS, KIND WORDS, and SUPPORT !!!