Getting Barbara Home

Hello friends,

Barbara Roob has advanced Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in her bones. Most multiple myeloma cases are treatable; however, in Barbara’s case, we know that she is terminal and has an estimated six months to live. Barbara has two daughters, Rachelle, 32, and Joan Amber, 20. Barbara’s husband, Rachelle, and Joan Amber‘s father, Ronald, passed away from cancer seven years ago in December.

Barbara went to the Emergency Room on November 2 after falling at home. After taking some bloodwork, she was admitted for a “couple of days” to determine what was happening. Within 24 hours, she had gone downhill with many health issues. Within 72 hours, she was transferred to ICU, put in an induced coma and put on a ventilator to try to figure out what was wrong with her. Multiple myeloma is the cause of every health issue she had and continues to have.

After being in ICU for 14 days, Barbara’s family was told the ventilator had to be removed to prevent further infection. They also said that she would most likely die within 6-7 minutes when it was released. The plan was to remove the ventilator and do a tracheotomy to help her continue to breathe, but there was no guarantee she would survive the procedure. Barbara’s daughter, Joan Amber, who attends school in Florida, flew home.

Miraculously, Barbara could breathe on her own when the ventilator was removed. For approximately 36 hours, she did well. But again, she went downhill to the point she slept most of the day, and if she woke, it was only for a couple of hours that she knew where she was and recognized family members. Her family was again told this was the end of her life, that she would never be able to leave the hospital, and that she would die without getting any better.

But apparently, the doctors were not in control; Barbara was! Over the next couple of weeks, she became fully alert and conscious, was removed from her feeding tube and allowed solid foods, and started physical therapy in the hospital. She will begin chemotherapy, intended to keep her comfortable and pain-free. She is close to being released from the hospital to continue her rehabilitation in another facility.

She has had frank conversations with her family and the Palliative Care Coordinator at the hospital about her illness and prognosis. She fully understands that her prognosis is inferior. She has had conversations with her daughters about life without her in the future.

Barbara’s only wish is to go home for the remainder of her days. To be able to do that, she must go to a rehab center to continue to gain strength in her arms and legs so she can move around her home, even if in a wheelchair. As you know, rehab is costly, and Barbara’s medical benefits with her current employer will soon run out, leaving the burden to pay for healing on Barbara and her daughters. They do not have the means to pay for rehab or the in-home care she will need for the next few months.

We humbly ask for assistance to pay for the cost of rehab and home care for Barbara, possibly for a few months. Any additional funds will be used to make sure Joan Amber can complete her schooling and help Rachelle and Joan Amber get through the next phase of their lives, living without their mom.

Barbara and her family have been overwhelmed by the amount of love, prayers, FB messages, and cards everyone has sent so far, and they want to express their sincere gratitude to everyone.

No amount is too small; every dollar will be deeply appreciated.

Thank you so much for your consideration.