I Am Broken
Here I sit at the age of 39, never to think I would lose my Mommie so soon. She was only 61 years old. It’s unfathomable and so unfair.
She went by many names by those who loved her dearly…Mommie, Mom, MaaMaa, Cindy Lu, Cind.
My Mommie was diagnosed with compensated liver cirrhosis (MASH) back in early 2024. The doctors gave us high hopes that she would live at least a good 10-12 years.
On August 15, 2025, when I arrived home and came in to kiss her hello, that is when I knew her liver was failing, she was jaundiced. We went to the hospital, where she went through many tests and at one point, we watched her numbers slowly going down with the hopes of her coming home. Then just like that her numbers started increasing fast. My Mommie’s only hope was to try to receive a new liver.
On September 1, 2025, we were able to finally get her approved to be transferred to the Mayo Clinic. At Mayo, she endured more tests than you can imagine. It was a race against time, which we quickly realized we cannot control time. It was awful, so I won’t share the personal hell details she had to go through. My Mommie literally battled for her life in unthinkable ways… She could barely speak or even make decisions. It was too much and her chances of even being placed on the transplant list slipped away. It was then, the worst decision of our lives had to be made… Hospice. This was the only way to bring her home with loved ones and to be kept comfortable.
On September 8, 2025, my Mommie arrived home to us. Many family members came to see her, speaking only of love and beautiful stories. Myself, Ant (my husband), the kids (my babies/her grandbabies), Aunt Deb (her sister), and Rod (her loving boyfriend) tried to smile and giggle with her to make her feel at peace. I tucked her in to say good night not realizing that that would be the last time I’d hear her voice again as she was now comatose.
As she battled for her life in this world, she battled her way out of this world. It was then on September 11, 2025, while Aunt Deb and I stood by her side that her breath became peaceful and just like that my Mommie was gone.
My Mommie has always been a caretaker. She was nurturing, kind, and would bend over backwards to help anyone she could. She’d even ask the nurses caring for her if she could help them to make things easier for them. That is the amazing woman she was.
She took care of my Grammie for 12 years and provided her with her final wishes of being at home with her by her side. This is what my Mommie had hoped for as well. As her only child I was honored to do the same.
I’d like to ask, if you have it in your heart to help with many unexpected expenses from her sudden passing, I’d be super grateful.
Thank you,
Tia
Organizer

Tia Kerzner
Organizer
Palm Coast, FL