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A compassionate, hard-working grandmother who has always helped others has suffered a series of tragedies in the past year that have challenged her physically and emotionally.
Her daughter unexpectedly passed away in October of 2018 leaving her two grandchildren without a home. After taking them in, her home of 35 years was damaged and partially flooded with the storms this past summer in Fort Smith, AR. To make matters worse, her 15 year old grandson had surgery after experiencing abdominal pain at school to remove his left kidney which was blocked and ravaged with renal cell cancer.
Elaine N. has always been very proud and self-sufficient, but after a number of heartbreaking hardships, she is struggling. Through her anguish, she has always persevered through her faith, love, and the support of family and friends. She needs our help to provide some relief and support as she remains strong for her family during these difficult times.
Elaine spent 29 years working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) assisting the operating room staff at Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith, AR. She worked in the pre-op surgical hold area providing one on one patient care. In her free time, Elaine provided transportation to doctor appointments, rehab sessions and chemotherapy for those in need. She has even worked as a personal care giver for people in their home. Elaine has always been very devoted and tirelessly given back.
For the past five years, she has been substitute teaching with special needs students. Unfortunately for the past month, she has been unable to work as she cares for her grandson by driving to and from Little Rock, AR for doctor’s appointment and treatment.
In October 2018, Elaine’s 43 year old daughter who has been battling long term health problems died unexpectedly at home two days after being released from the hospital for surgery. She was found unresponsive in her bed by her young children the next morning. Even with a history of health problems, her primary physician was surprised by her untimely death. Without a second's hesitation, Elaine took in her two teenage grandchildren and through an attorney was eventually assigned guardianship.
Her daughter did not have life insurance and Elaine couldn’t afford the $5,000 in funeral costs to bury her daughter. She scrimped and saved what she could and eventually had to take out a $3,000 loan from her bank using the title from her vehicle to properly bury her daughter. Then only through the help and support of other family members, money was raised to purchase a grave headstone weeks later.
During the summer of 2019, there were multiple severe thunderstorms and heavy rain in Fort Smith, AR resulting in area flooding and several evacuations. Elaine’s home of 35 years was damaged and partially flooded from these storms. Water seeped through her walls and flooded her den. The roof of her house also sustained damage causing several leaks. Now whenever it rains, water leaks through multiple spots in her bedroom and laundry room. After the storms, Elaine contacted her homeowner’s insurance company and after an inspection, she was told that this damage was not covered by her policy. Elaine did not have flood insurance and has been unable to repair any of the damages caused this summer. Only through the gracious help of a friend this month, the air conditioning at her house was finally replaced after the system stopped working.
In September during the first week of school, Elaine’s grandson, Amir, started to experience some severe back pain and was in too much pain to walk. He was taken to the doctor and after an initial diagnosis of kidney stones due to the location of the pain and a large quantity of blood found in his urine, an immediate ultrasound was ordered.
After an ultrasound, the doctors determined it was not a kidney stone, but likely a tumor. Sadly, Amir’s left kidney was no longer functioning and had a blockage that appeared to be cancer. Amir needed surgery right away and was moved to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR. At Arkansas Children’s Hospital, a hematologist and oncologist were consulted. Unfortunately, the kidney could not be saved and had to be removed. Additional tests have been scheduled to determine if the cancer has spread. Amir was a 15 year old that was living a normal life one day and in the past 10 months, lost his mother, a kidney, and has been diagnosed with renal cell cancer.
This page was set up to support Elaine and her grandson. Any money raised through GoFundMe will only be used to:
· Pay for home repair/damage sustained in the storms and flooding
· Pay everyday living expenses that have accumulated due to her inability to work
· Pay transportation costs related to medical appointments and treatment
· Repay the bank loan used for funeral expenses
Elaine N. never asks for anything in return for all of the people she helps. I hope that from this GoFundMe page and the kindness of others, we can provide some financial assistance to help this loving grandmother in her time of need while she cares for his grandchildren and is unable to work.
UPDATE: On September 30th during a follow-up doctor’s appointment, the medical team found three spots on his lungs. The medical team is concerned and will discuss options on treatment.
UPDATE: On October 3rd, Children’s Hospital called and believes the cancer was contained within Amir’s left kidney. They want CT scans every three months to monitor his progress. The medical team also believes the three spots on his lungs are old scaring, but will continue to monitor for changes.
Her daughter unexpectedly passed away in October of 2018 leaving her two grandchildren without a home. After taking them in, her home of 35 years was damaged and partially flooded with the storms this past summer in Fort Smith, AR. To make matters worse, her 15 year old grandson had surgery after experiencing abdominal pain at school to remove his left kidney which was blocked and ravaged with renal cell cancer.
Elaine N. has always been very proud and self-sufficient, but after a number of heartbreaking hardships, she is struggling. Through her anguish, she has always persevered through her faith, love, and the support of family and friends. She needs our help to provide some relief and support as she remains strong for her family during these difficult times.
Elaine spent 29 years working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) assisting the operating room staff at Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith, AR. She worked in the pre-op surgical hold area providing one on one patient care. In her free time, Elaine provided transportation to doctor appointments, rehab sessions and chemotherapy for those in need. She has even worked as a personal care giver for people in their home. Elaine has always been very devoted and tirelessly given back.
For the past five years, she has been substitute teaching with special needs students. Unfortunately for the past month, she has been unable to work as she cares for her grandson by driving to and from Little Rock, AR for doctor’s appointment and treatment.
In October 2018, Elaine’s 43 year old daughter who has been battling long term health problems died unexpectedly at home two days after being released from the hospital for surgery. She was found unresponsive in her bed by her young children the next morning. Even with a history of health problems, her primary physician was surprised by her untimely death. Without a second's hesitation, Elaine took in her two teenage grandchildren and through an attorney was eventually assigned guardianship.
Her daughter did not have life insurance and Elaine couldn’t afford the $5,000 in funeral costs to bury her daughter. She scrimped and saved what she could and eventually had to take out a $3,000 loan from her bank using the title from her vehicle to properly bury her daughter. Then only through the help and support of other family members, money was raised to purchase a grave headstone weeks later.
During the summer of 2019, there were multiple severe thunderstorms and heavy rain in Fort Smith, AR resulting in area flooding and several evacuations. Elaine’s home of 35 years was damaged and partially flooded from these storms. Water seeped through her walls and flooded her den. The roof of her house also sustained damage causing several leaks. Now whenever it rains, water leaks through multiple spots in her bedroom and laundry room. After the storms, Elaine contacted her homeowner’s insurance company and after an inspection, she was told that this damage was not covered by her policy. Elaine did not have flood insurance and has been unable to repair any of the damages caused this summer. Only through the gracious help of a friend this month, the air conditioning at her house was finally replaced after the system stopped working.
In September during the first week of school, Elaine’s grandson, Amir, started to experience some severe back pain and was in too much pain to walk. He was taken to the doctor and after an initial diagnosis of kidney stones due to the location of the pain and a large quantity of blood found in his urine, an immediate ultrasound was ordered.
After an ultrasound, the doctors determined it was not a kidney stone, but likely a tumor. Sadly, Amir’s left kidney was no longer functioning and had a blockage that appeared to be cancer. Amir needed surgery right away and was moved to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR. At Arkansas Children’s Hospital, a hematologist and oncologist were consulted. Unfortunately, the kidney could not be saved and had to be removed. Additional tests have been scheduled to determine if the cancer has spread. Amir was a 15 year old that was living a normal life one day and in the past 10 months, lost his mother, a kidney, and has been diagnosed with renal cell cancer.
This page was set up to support Elaine and her grandson. Any money raised through GoFundMe will only be used to:
· Pay for home repair/damage sustained in the storms and flooding
· Pay everyday living expenses that have accumulated due to her inability to work
· Pay transportation costs related to medical appointments and treatment
· Repay the bank loan used for funeral expenses
Elaine N. never asks for anything in return for all of the people she helps. I hope that from this GoFundMe page and the kindness of others, we can provide some financial assistance to help this loving grandmother in her time of need while she cares for his grandchildren and is unable to work.
UPDATE: On September 30th during a follow-up doctor’s appointment, the medical team found three spots on his lungs. The medical team is concerned and will discuss options on treatment.
UPDATE: On October 3rd, Children’s Hospital called and believes the cancer was contained within Amir’s left kidney. They want CT scans every three months to monitor his progress. The medical team also believes the three spots on his lungs are old scaring, but will continue to monitor for changes.
Organizer and beneficiary
Elaine Newson
Beneficiary