Help Bill & Bonnie fight cancer
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HELP BILL and BONNIE GILDERSLEEVE FIGHT AGGRESSIVE BRAIN CANCER
On July 10th, 2018 Bill Gildersleeve underwent brain surgery to remove a brain tumor which was surrounded by swollen tissue causing headaches and disorientation. His symptoms came quickly and involved being able to stand or even to put a key in a keyhole. He got the diagnosis of a Stage IV renal carcinoma which originated in the kidney and metastisized to his brain, blood and lungs.
BILL and BONNIE’s Story
Bill and Bonnie married in 1999 and had two fine sons and lost a stillborn son. They worked hard to raise their children.
Bill and Bonnie have worked very hard for their family. They purchased the Riverview Motel in Mammoth Spring, AR 18 years ago after successfully managing a camping area. They worked their hearts out on the business, making improvements and making payments. Bill did almost all of the maintenance and Bonnie ran the office. It was not unusual to see Bill outside working in his shop or fixing things with his blonde hair and nordic looks. He was healthy all his life until this cancer struck.
Bonnie has had Type 2 Diabetes for several years. Then about a year ago she had her left leg amputated below the knee which causes mobility problems for walking, ambulating, moving from place to place, bathing, and cooking. She has continuing issues with diabetes skin breakdowns and has a home health nurse every day for bandage changes.
Then in January, 2018, they lost Tracy, one of their beloved sons which devastated them as a family. They have had their three grandchildren with them all summer which has helped in their grief.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED
They are losing the Riverview Motel because they can’t pay for it nor can they continue to work an manage it. So they are basically losing their home and livelihood. A good friend is building them a small cottage south of Mammoth Spring, AR with handicap accessible rails throughout. They will move there in mid-September.
Members of the community are being asked to come and help them do a house-raising and build the house quickly so they can move in.
Their expenses have increased because of the medical appointments and treatments which they have to travel to. Bill has some insurance but the bills have not been paid by the insurer. Bonnie has Medicare and her bills are piling up including co-pays for her prosthesis.
Their jeep is making sounds like Woody Woodpecker, probably a piston. Bonnie cannot get into their blue truck, so they will need a different car soon.
MOVING FORWARD
Right now, they are surviving on Bonnie’s disability but they will have a mountain of debt, a move, and facing a battle for Bill’s life with everything crumbling around them.
Bill and Bonnie are good people, always helping others. They have provided rooms for free for victims of crimes, stranded travelers, and homeless people. They have helped others who have lost their homes due to fire. They have been actively involved in their community. The local church ministerial alliance would drop off people in trouble to their motel. And the local police knew they could count on Bonnie and Bill for victims of domestic violence.
One dark rainy night, a disheveled woman stopped in crying. She had been raped. They took her in and called the police, keeping her overnight until she could travel again.
Another night a young couple had car trouble who were traveling through. They came to the motel window and said they had no money. Bonnie and Bill let them stay the night for free. The young man showed up a year later to pay his bill as it took him that long to get back up here. Bonnie told him his parents must be very proud of him. And she told him to take the money and help somebody else out who was stranded.
No telling how many people they have helped with their good hearts and compassion. Bonnie believes God sent those people to her to help.
IN CLOSING
Bill and Bonnie will need help as their circumstances are becoming overwhelming.
We ask that you contribute to their cause as they fight the biggest fight of their lives. And pray for their family.
On July 10th, 2018 Bill Gildersleeve underwent brain surgery to remove a brain tumor which was surrounded by swollen tissue causing headaches and disorientation. His symptoms came quickly and involved being able to stand or even to put a key in a keyhole. He got the diagnosis of a Stage IV renal carcinoma which originated in the kidney and metastisized to his brain, blood and lungs.
BILL and BONNIE’s Story
Bill and Bonnie married in 1999 and had two fine sons and lost a stillborn son. They worked hard to raise their children.
Bill and Bonnie have worked very hard for their family. They purchased the Riverview Motel in Mammoth Spring, AR 18 years ago after successfully managing a camping area. They worked their hearts out on the business, making improvements and making payments. Bill did almost all of the maintenance and Bonnie ran the office. It was not unusual to see Bill outside working in his shop or fixing things with his blonde hair and nordic looks. He was healthy all his life until this cancer struck.
Bonnie has had Type 2 Diabetes for several years. Then about a year ago she had her left leg amputated below the knee which causes mobility problems for walking, ambulating, moving from place to place, bathing, and cooking. She has continuing issues with diabetes skin breakdowns and has a home health nurse every day for bandage changes.
Then in January, 2018, they lost Tracy, one of their beloved sons which devastated them as a family. They have had their three grandchildren with them all summer which has helped in their grief.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED
They are losing the Riverview Motel because they can’t pay for it nor can they continue to work an manage it. So they are basically losing their home and livelihood. A good friend is building them a small cottage south of Mammoth Spring, AR with handicap accessible rails throughout. They will move there in mid-September.
Members of the community are being asked to come and help them do a house-raising and build the house quickly so they can move in.
Their expenses have increased because of the medical appointments and treatments which they have to travel to. Bill has some insurance but the bills have not been paid by the insurer. Bonnie has Medicare and her bills are piling up including co-pays for her prosthesis.
Their jeep is making sounds like Woody Woodpecker, probably a piston. Bonnie cannot get into their blue truck, so they will need a different car soon.
MOVING FORWARD
Right now, they are surviving on Bonnie’s disability but they will have a mountain of debt, a move, and facing a battle for Bill’s life with everything crumbling around them.
Bill and Bonnie are good people, always helping others. They have provided rooms for free for victims of crimes, stranded travelers, and homeless people. They have helped others who have lost their homes due to fire. They have been actively involved in their community. The local church ministerial alliance would drop off people in trouble to their motel. And the local police knew they could count on Bonnie and Bill for victims of domestic violence.
One dark rainy night, a disheveled woman stopped in crying. She had been raped. They took her in and called the police, keeping her overnight until she could travel again.
Another night a young couple had car trouble who were traveling through. They came to the motel window and said they had no money. Bonnie and Bill let them stay the night for free. The young man showed up a year later to pay his bill as it took him that long to get back up here. Bonnie told him his parents must be very proud of him. And she told him to take the money and help somebody else out who was stranded.
No telling how many people they have helped with their good hearts and compassion. Bonnie believes God sent those people to her to help.
IN CLOSING
Bill and Bonnie will need help as their circumstances are becoming overwhelming.
We ask that you contribute to their cause as they fight the biggest fight of their lives. And pray for their family.
Organizer
Jenny Underwood
Organizer
Mammoth Spring, AR
