Help Rikki Gross(Rooney) the Caregiver

Hi, my name is Pam Maxwell. I'm here to beg for your support and prayers to help my best friend Rikki Gross(Rooney). About a month ago, Rikki was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Colon & Liver Cancer and then they added H Pylori (Google it). This is in addition to her dealing with the ongoing symptoms of Fibromyalgia for 10yrs and Lupus for 6yrs. Recently, she underwent 4 CAT scans with dye. Rikki's allergic to the dye. Her insurance company didn't care, they wouldn't pay for 1 PET scan. The results of the CAT scans was more bad news. The H Pylori which has engulfed her stomach is also cancerous. Rikki's original prognosis was 9 months, but with the new addition, the oncologist lowered it to 4 months. Rikki agreed to try a regimen of chemo, a dosage every 2 weeks with the hope that it will stretch those 4 months into something longer. There's no guarantees. She doesn't want to be sick for her remaining time.

Rikki has always taken care of her family... She stood by and did everything in her power to help her husband Rick get back on his feet after a mass was discovered in his brain, helping for years as a caregiver for her sister Denise with MS, stepping up to help with Denise's son Spencer who fought and lost his struggle with cancer at 17, on top of taking care of her own children, Tye & Lia. She was there every time her parents needed anything, anytime, including giving up her own bedroom to move them into her house when her dad was stricken down with a stroke last winter. She did all this while putting her pain and suffering on the back burner. For example, to keep her family from having to do it when she's gone, she went by herself and planned her funeral. On her birthday!!

This past November 11th, Rikki unexpectedly lost her $150,000 life insurance policy. They were both unaware that when Rick turned 65 on the 11th, she was dropped from his union insurance policy. She immediately got a new life insurance policy so she would be prepared for the future. Unfortunately, the future threw her a curve, the policy she has doesn't cover preexisting conditions until after 2 years.

The money collected here will go toward medical bills, medical equipment, home care, etc. and maybe some clothing, Rikki has already lost 40# in a month. When Rikki leaves us to sore with the angels, any remaining money will go to her husband Rick to help him rearrange his life without her and her income.

The picture above is Rikki, Lia, Rick & Tye at Lia's wedding. This was a very special day for the family. Forever memories.

When Rikki asked me to do this for her, I thought, even though I told her yes I wasn't sure I could, but she had faith in me, so with a box of Kleenex and my laptop I've made it through it.

Please help with any amount. Even $5.00 adds up over time. I ran across this quote that I thought had some meaning...

"Kindness is giving hope to those who think they are all alone in this world."

~Anonymous

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope it compelled you to help support this fundraiser for Rikki. God bless you.

Pam Maxwell,

Rikki's friend for over 52 years.