DeAnns Celebration of Life

**UPDATE**

Unfortunately my siblings & I lost our mama October 25, 2024. She had recently lost her job & therefore doesn't have life insurance. Any money raised will be put towards her Celebration of Life & any medical expenses that need paid. Thank you for your help during this difficult time.

As many of you know I've been in the hospital with my mom since Friday afternoon. Friday Dee was found unresponsive, laying on her bedroom floor, in state of coma. She got to the hospital Friday afternoon a little before 3pm. I left Decatur immediately to be by her side. My original thought when all of this happened was one, she was in diabetic coma, or two she's had a stoke. Unfortunately, she's suffered a massive stroke that has damaged much of her brainstem. Dee got helicoptered to Peoria. Sunday morning after getting results of moms, CT scan the neurologist came in and explained to extent of the damage mom had suffered from this massive stroke. Saturday, her team was pretty confident that by Sunday morning they would be pronouncing her brain dead. However, my mom being who she is and always has been.. decided to pull through the night with some improvements they didn't expect to at all see. At that point the plan of care changed. Organ donation "Gift of Hope" stepped aside and we're now just monitoring her. The brain function itself isn't exactly measured by a test, it's measured by moms physical response. The stroke she had caused significant brain damage. So, we are looking for three things here. One, if mom can cough. Which she wasn't doing Saturday upon arrival. By Saturday evening mom was able to cough. The other two things they're looking for is her gag relax, and corneal reflexes so far she's not had a response to either one of those. Her cough has went from, none, to decent, and currently it's weak although it's still there.

Yesterday meeting with palliative care it's suggested as long as mom is showing improvement that she's able to stay on this vent for 14 days before they need to look at going from a vent to a trach. My mother wouldn’t want that. So unless day 14 comes and she’s showing extreme process I wouldn’t proceed with keeping her on life support. At this time I’m also not sure I’ll need 14 days to determine if keeping her ventilated is necessary. As of now, the plan is to monitor her closely for the next several days and see what she’s showing up. That can change minute to minute.

SOOO, with ALLL of that. Countless people have reached out to express their concern, pray for not only Dee but our family as we are going through this. I never thought once at 31 I’d be next to my mom making life altering decisions for her. It doesn’t seem real. There’s a huge part of me that’s so ready for this Miracle & then the reality of the damage that mom has hits.. and I’m speechless on how that makes me feel.

So, the number one question is, what do you need? Well, I NEED my mom to improve, squeeze my hand and be able to wake up and give me one of her heartfelt hugs; you all know exactly what I’m talking about. The women may be crazy but, she is one of the most giving, loving, outgoing people!

I’m here with my mother, I have only left once overnight to go pack some more belongings, and see my daughter for a few hours.. I’m not working, I was in the middle of preparing to move.. Now, I’m here and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. However, that means income isn’t being made. SO! If you want to help, leave a donation. Your donation will be going towards Kinslee's childcare so her dad can work while I'm here by moms side, food, gas, and of course whatever it is my mom will need. Whatever that looks like at the end of this. Mom does not have life insurance.

Thank you for the outpouring love, prayers and support!