Assist with Christine Netemeyer's Final Costs

As many of you have been made aware, on January 24th, 2025, my mother, Christine Lynn Netemeyer, passed away at 4:39pm. On January 6th, she was alert and speaking, taken to St. Joseph's in Breese, Illinois, where she was diagnosed with liver failure. By January 7th, she was no longer awake, and did not awaken again. She needed emergency care beyond the abilities of what St. Joseph's Hospital could provide. During this same time, many others also needed medical care, which unfortunately meant that there were no beds available in the general region at a hospital that could provide a liver specialist. Checking as many hospitals in the general area, stretching as far out as Chicago, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky, we finally had a bed open on Saturday, January 11th. Christine waited for 6 days in the trauma room of the emergency center, until she was taken by helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital in Missouri, where she would be cared for in the ICU.

By January 12th, we were told that not only was my mother in end stage liver failure, but she also had lesions on her liver as well as her kidneys. Cancer for both organs was suspected, but doing a biopsy to confirm this would be too invasive, given how advanced her condition had become in such a short amount of time.

On January 15th, we were informed that she would not be a viable candidate for a liver transplant. Any hope we had, was crushed in an instant. We didn't know what we were facing, going forward. We were lost.

On January 16th, myself, my brother, my father, and Mom's brothers attended a meeting with medical staff, to help us make a decision on what was to come next. We had come to the decision, that if unless she had shown significant improvement, or if we would be blessed to have a miracle bestowed upon us, then we would follow the wishes that our mother would tell us so often over the years, long before she ever became sick. Over the next few days, we would spend all of our time in the room with mom, talking to her, hoping she heard us speak of the memories we all had with her as well as with each other.

January 18th. We knew what was coming. It hurt us all to think about it, but we knew. My father, brothers, sister, and myself all took turns, having one on one sessions with mom to say our goodbyes, however each of us saw fit, and ending it with "I love you." My young children each had a turn on the phone to be able to say goodbye to their grandmother, as it was not appropriate for them to see her in this condition. This call was then followed by a phone call with her own mother, (our grandmother), who has been facing her own medical challenges, and sadly, was unable to say goodbye to her daughter in person, but only through a phone call. This day was among one of the many heartbreaking days we have experienced.

January 20th. We informed the nurses and doctors of our decision. At 12:07pm, Mom was taken off of all life support measures. We thought she would go quickly, but she held on. She wasn't ready to go just yet, and we accepted that, and we would spend all of our time with her daily. My brother and I would take turns staying the night with her, just so she would know, and so would we, that she wouldn't have to be alone when she passed away.

January 23rd. We placed mom on hospice. I knew that they could help her to be as comfortable as possible, knowing they could help make better decisions for her and her needs, than I could have ever thought of.

January 24th. My brother, my father, and myself would spend this final day with her. We didn't know it was her last, but we knew that any day could be. Late in the afternoon, a very dear friend of the family, came to sit with us and just be with us in our time of need. Mom's breathing had been getting worse, until it became labored and her breaths were taken less and less. Christine took her final breath at 4:39pm, her husband, our father, Allen, held her hand through the last breath, not a sign of pain, only peace.

May she find peace, knowing she no longer suffers, and that her job on this Earth, is complete.

Christine Lynn Netemeyer.

December 23, 1970 - January 24, 2025

I have told you our story, the saddening experiences we have faced over these last near 3 weeks. Unfortunately, it has come to that time, where we must now ask for your help. My mother unfortunately did not have a life insurance plan in place, and while she still had medical insurance, we will most certainly be responsible for the costs of whatever medical bills are not covered by the insurance, deductibles, as well as the cost to cover funeral expenses. Any help that you can provide to our family at this time, would be appreciated beyond all measures.

Thank you, everyone, for taking the time out of your lives to reach out during this grievous time, for visiting, and for all of the support that everyone has offered us.

Donations will be accepted here as well as her funeral service. Details will be provided soon in that regard