Help put Kathleen Furniss to rest.
Donation protected
Kathleen Michele Furniss was born August 12th, 1962, and died the morning of June 8th, 2021 at the age of 58.
My name is Jacob Comerford, and I'm her son.
At the end of August last year she was diagnosed with cirrhosis and liver cancer. By the time it was discovered, it had already advanced to stage four. She had a 9 cm tumor, and after being rejected for a transplant, we were told that she needed to reduce the size of the cancer dramatically for there to be a chance of removal.
As soon as she knew what she was facing, she quit drinking on the spot and never touched alcohol again. For what it's worth, I can tell you that she was not an alcoholic. She enjoyed a glass of wine at night, but hardly ever drank more than that. She didn't drink every day, and stopping was no issue to her.
She was determined to do everything she could to fight. She listened to the advice of her doctors to the letter. She underwent radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. She completely changed her diet, focusing on protein rich foods and eliminating sugars and sweets. She rested as much as she could, while trying to remain as active as possible. I honestly believe that there is nothing else she could have done.
Despite her best efforts, it was just too late. Four days before she died, her doctor told us that it was time to focus on quality of life. Even then, she hadn't given up. As far as I can tell, her liver basically stopped functioning. She died from a lack of energy, nutrition, and strength.
Almost every good quality that I have I attribute to her. I couldn't of had a better mom. She raised me with nothing but love, compassion, and patience. She is the most selfless person I have ever known, and she was deeply loved by so many. She made a real impact on so many lives, and gave everything she had to give. I can't even begin to explain how heartbroken I am, and I know I am not alone. There is nothing she wouldn't do for me, and so many others.
Almost seven years ago, my younger brother Joshua died of a heroin overdose. He had been over six months clean, was doing well, and had his whole life ahead of him. He made a bad decision, and even though he was alone for only 10 minutes, it cost him his life. He was only 20 years old. Nothing mattered more to my mom than her boys, and losing Joshua absolutely devastated her. I can't imagine the pain and suffering that she had endured ever since.
I feel that it wasn't just alcohol, but the stress that really did the damage to her. Every day after, she grieved the loss of her baby. I miss my brother every day, and now I'm going to miss her every day. The only thing that brings me comfort from any of this, is knowing that she is finally with him now.
Her wish was to be cremated and her remains to be put to rest with Joshua. When COVID-19 started last year, we lost our business. Shortly after, we received her diagnosis. She was unable to work, and I didn't have enough clients or money to restart the business. I've been receiving unemployment benefits, but it was barely enough to get us by. We had to focus on just the essentials, even getting her to treatments was a struggle- living about an hour away.
To fulfill her wish, it will cost about $4000. That includes her cremation, burial, and a marker. Beyond that, there are thousands of dollars of debts that need to be settled. Some of them are directly in her name and I will have to settle, others are debts incurred over the past 9 months and will become serious issues for me in the future. Property taxes are behind, almost all essential bills are behind, the home is in need of serious repairs. All money raised will go to the cost of her services and settling accounts first, anything else will go to help me moving forward.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated. The path ahead for me isn't an easy one, but I am trying to do everything I can to push on.
I know that we aren't the only family that has struggled over the last year, and I want to make it clear that I do not expect a penny. Regardless of how the fundraiser goes, I am trying to make backup plans so that she at least gets these basic services. Her services are planned for Saturday, June 19th at noon at Fraola Cemetery in Olalla.
Finally, I want to thank those who have already helped our family, both now, and over the past year. I wouldn't of gotten through it without them.
Thank you,
Jacob
My name is Jacob Comerford, and I'm her son.
At the end of August last year she was diagnosed with cirrhosis and liver cancer. By the time it was discovered, it had already advanced to stage four. She had a 9 cm tumor, and after being rejected for a transplant, we were told that she needed to reduce the size of the cancer dramatically for there to be a chance of removal.
As soon as she knew what she was facing, she quit drinking on the spot and never touched alcohol again. For what it's worth, I can tell you that she was not an alcoholic. She enjoyed a glass of wine at night, but hardly ever drank more than that. She didn't drink every day, and stopping was no issue to her.
She was determined to do everything she could to fight. She listened to the advice of her doctors to the letter. She underwent radiation treatments, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. She completely changed her diet, focusing on protein rich foods and eliminating sugars and sweets. She rested as much as she could, while trying to remain as active as possible. I honestly believe that there is nothing else she could have done.
Despite her best efforts, it was just too late. Four days before she died, her doctor told us that it was time to focus on quality of life. Even then, she hadn't given up. As far as I can tell, her liver basically stopped functioning. She died from a lack of energy, nutrition, and strength.
Almost every good quality that I have I attribute to her. I couldn't of had a better mom. She raised me with nothing but love, compassion, and patience. She is the most selfless person I have ever known, and she was deeply loved by so many. She made a real impact on so many lives, and gave everything she had to give. I can't even begin to explain how heartbroken I am, and I know I am not alone. There is nothing she wouldn't do for me, and so many others.
Almost seven years ago, my younger brother Joshua died of a heroin overdose. He had been over six months clean, was doing well, and had his whole life ahead of him. He made a bad decision, and even though he was alone for only 10 minutes, it cost him his life. He was only 20 years old. Nothing mattered more to my mom than her boys, and losing Joshua absolutely devastated her. I can't imagine the pain and suffering that she had endured ever since.
I feel that it wasn't just alcohol, but the stress that really did the damage to her. Every day after, she grieved the loss of her baby. I miss my brother every day, and now I'm going to miss her every day. The only thing that brings me comfort from any of this, is knowing that she is finally with him now.
Her wish was to be cremated and her remains to be put to rest with Joshua. When COVID-19 started last year, we lost our business. Shortly after, we received her diagnosis. She was unable to work, and I didn't have enough clients or money to restart the business. I've been receiving unemployment benefits, but it was barely enough to get us by. We had to focus on just the essentials, even getting her to treatments was a struggle- living about an hour away.
To fulfill her wish, it will cost about $4000. That includes her cremation, burial, and a marker. Beyond that, there are thousands of dollars of debts that need to be settled. Some of them are directly in her name and I will have to settle, others are debts incurred over the past 9 months and will become serious issues for me in the future. Property taxes are behind, almost all essential bills are behind, the home is in need of serious repairs. All money raised will go to the cost of her services and settling accounts first, anything else will go to help me moving forward.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated. The path ahead for me isn't an easy one, but I am trying to do everything I can to push on.
I know that we aren't the only family that has struggled over the last year, and I want to make it clear that I do not expect a penny. Regardless of how the fundraiser goes, I am trying to make backup plans so that she at least gets these basic services. Her services are planned for Saturday, June 19th at noon at Fraola Cemetery in Olalla.
Finally, I want to thank those who have already helped our family, both now, and over the past year. I wouldn't of gotten through it without them.
Thank you,
Jacob
Organizer
Jacob Comerford
Organizer
Dewatto, WA