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Easing the Burden: Support for Jerilyn's Loved Ones

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Jerilyn was a kind, loving, and selfless person. Always thinking of others, she would give you her last dollar if you needed it. You walked in her home and you immediately felt the love and compassion she had for her family and friends. She didn't leave anyone out ever. Her love was genuine and was felt by everyone who was blessed to have had her in their lives.
Early Saturday morning, Sept 15, 2024 she felt something wrong with her left foot and leg. Her son, Jason took her to KSB, where she was later transferred to Javon Bea. They found narrowing of a blood vessel in her brain and a blockage in her left leg. That Monday, they started her in strong blood thinners and she went in for an angiogram to put a stent to help the clot. Tuesday morning she went in for another angiogram to see how the previous one did. They put another one in and finally started her on pain meds. Later that night she developed compartment syndrome (pressure build up from internal bleeding or swelling of tissues) in that leg. They had to do an emergency fasciotimy (a procedure that involves cutting the fascia or connective tissue that surrounds muscles to relieve pressure and restore blood flow). Wednesday morning, they went back to check the progress. During that surgery, Jerilyn coded. After several minutes of CPR they got her vitals back and she was put on a ventilator, where doctors advised the family she would most likely never walk or breath on her own again- due to she suffered a stroke in her cerebellum. Doctors discussed with the family a bilateral amputation of her left leg, but called off the surgery 3 different times over the next week. By this time her right leg was worse than her left (previously, there was nothing wrong with her right leg)

After a week of being on the ventilator with no improvement, her children had to make the devastating decision on what was best for Jerilyn, what she could have wanted, and her quality of life. On Tuesday Sept 26, 2024 sadly, Jerilyn had gone home to be with the lord, at the young age of 64.

She didn't have money set aside or a life insurance policy. Her children were by her side the entire time to advocate for her causing them to be off work for that duration of time. On top of trying to process the loss of their mom, they now have the financial burden of her assets. As some of you may know, funerals carry a heavy financial burden. The family, fortunately, were able to cover the cost of the plot and burial, which was required upfront before the service could be held. In addition, they were able to cover the rest of the funeral itself, a headstone, and were able to pay some of their mom's bills that were required. It all however, added up pretty quickly. All donations are greatly appreciated and will go toward paying for any remaining funeral expenses and any bills that are starting to pile up for the family. The emotional burden of burying a loved one is always a heavy responsibility to bear, but when it's coupled with financial burden, it can become very overwhelming. Any amount donated will greatly help the family in this troublesome and emotional time. If you are unable to donate in these hard economic times, please keep the family in your prayers and take a moment to share.

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Venmo: jaustin19

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    Organizer and beneficiary

    Kelsey Smothers
    Organizer
    Amboy, IL
    Jenna Austin
    Beneficiary

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