Devastated by losing John

Support Trish During This Overwhelming Time

Hello everyone,

I’m reaching out on behalf of a friend and fellow Ecuador Expat, Trish, who recently experienced an unimaginable loss. On January 18, Trish’s partner of 34 years, John, passed away after a harrowing series of events that left her physically and emotionally spent. I’m helping her set up this account because she’s understandably overwhelmed, and I want to ensure she has the support she needs during this incredibly difficult time.

For five years, Trish and John lived in Ecuador, faithfully paying into the government healthcare system (IESS), believing it would provide security if ever needed. But when John’s health began declining, the system failed them in ways they could never have imagined.

After months of waiting for appointments, tests, and results, John’s condition worsened. On January 8, at a doctor’s visit, Trish insisted he be admitted to the hospital. He was visibly struggling, and they were both exhausted from the endless delays. John was admitted to Clinica Granados, where Trish assumed their IESS insurance would cover the costs. The hospital took their information, but instead, they started handing her bills to pay every couple of days, informing her that IESS wouldn’t cover his care.

Navigating the system became a nightmare. There was a lack of clear and forthcoming information, compounded by challenges due to the language barrier. Trish was so focused on saving John and figuring out what was wrong that she didn’t realize how dire the situation was becoming. What should have been a place of healing became a series of devastating setbacks.

John initially believed he had a hole in his lung but was misdiagnosed with tuberculosis and treated for the wrong condition for almost a week. During this time, his health rapidly declined, and the bills continued to mount. Days later, they received another devastation diagnosis of lung cancer. Without a biopsy performed, again, it may have been a guess—but it was too late. His condition had deteriorated so much during his 10 days in the hospital that he was nearly incoherent by the time the cancer diagnosis was told to us.

The hospital informed Trish they couldn’t provide the cancer treatment John needed, and she began making arrangements to transfer him to a facility that accepted IESS and could treat him for Cancer. As those of us know, there is a referral waiting game that takes place with IESS. But as she was home trying to figure out the next move, the hospital called—John had gone into cardiac arrest. Trish rushed back, only to arrive 20 minutes later and learn that John had been deemed brain dead and shortly after passed away.

This experience has drained Trish’s disposable income entirely. She was left to borrow money to pay for John’s cremation and is now navigating the legal and financial complexities of his passing. Having kept a small circle during their five years in Ecuador, she feels a bit isolated as she is not a person that asks for help easily. The community has reached out with offers to help and she is very grateful, but what she really needs right now is a bit of financial relief while she is still reeling from the emotional toll of losing John so suddenly.

We are asking for your help to raise $10,000. to cover the immediate expenses Trish is facing, allowing her some time to grieve and plan for the future. Your contributions will go toward:

Paying off the remaining cremation costs.

Covering immediate living expenses while she navigates John’s financial affairs in Ecuador and the USA.

Providing her with a little breathing room to determine her next steps in this difficult transition.

Trish is a kind, but private person and it breaks my heart to see her in this situation. She spent every moment fighting for John’s health and well-being, only to face heartbreaking loss and overwhelming financial strain.

If you can, please donate to help ease this burden for her. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this campaign with others would also mean so much.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity in supporting Trish during this heartbreaking time.

With gratitude,