For nearly 18 years, Melissa was her mom’s has lived with her and she was her caregiver. After surviving a ruptured aneurysm—a moment the doctors didn’t think she’d make it through—she defied the odds. For the past 15 years, I’ve cared for her on her own, without help from siblings. 

 Even with her limitations, she was incredibly mobile and independent up until her recent hospitalization. She dressed herself, showered on her own, and walked around with her walker. She was strong-willed and it was often hard to get her to slow down. 

Even after 2 separate falls ended in broken ankle and the last with a broken hip that both required surgery and rehabilitation. She was a true warrior and had been through so much and fought a good fight. 

 But after her most recent hospital stay, everything changed. She returned home significantly weaker—needing help with nearly every basic task: getting out of bed, standing, transferring from bed to wheelchair, and using the restroom. Melissa needed to help her shower, full assistance when she needed to get up from any seated position, no longer walking on her own but needed to unfortunately use e wheelchair. 

 Melissa made the very difficult decision, she knew it was time and Judy was placed on hospice. Melissa stayed up night after night to be with her, comfort her, and honor the promise  she made—to be by her side until the very end. To be with her mom when she took her final breath and feel her last heartbeat. 

 This year brought unexpected challenges—an unplanned move, major car repairs,  and unable to work outside of the home for almost two months while caring for her full time. 

 If you know Melissa you know this is very difficult for her to ask for help. But I started this in the hopes that you might help support or simply share the GoFundMe. Every bit helps, and every share helps us reach those who might have been in a similar position and to ease some of the financial burden during this difficult time.