Mom's AfterCares
Donation protected
My mom, Pamela, was admitted to the Dickinson, ND ER Monday, January 12th, 2015. She was found non-responsive at home by her tenant and paramedics had to administer CPR. She was airlifted to Fargo to the Critical Care Unit at Essentia Health in Fargo.
She has struggled for years with many health problems. She was previously admitted the ER for 5 days in December of 2014 for potassium deficiency and before that pneumonia and infection in January 2011 for 28 days in Bismarck, ND.
The suspicion for the more recent incident is that she may have asphyxiated and passed out which deprived oxygen to her brain and caused cardiac arrest. Her body was very weak from the incident in December and she was struggling with personal cares and mobility.
My mom has no insurance but is thankfully receiving amazing care from the staff at Essentia Health. She currently is sedated and reliant on the many "helps" provided by machines and medication. She is not responding to commands or able to focus her eyes/follow on an object. Right now she is undergoing dialysis. She has pneumonia in one lung that is quite extreme and also has two ulcers. An MRI was conducted and was inconclusive. It showed very few/small signs of hypoxia (brain damage due to oxygen deprivation) and low activity. This news is not really positive or negative, just the starting line of the waiting game.
At this time we are waiting for more dialysis and healing. I did put a DNR in her file, knowing my beautiful, strong willed, opinionated and vociferous mother, she is not going to tolerate another round of CPR plus whatever else. The mortality rate of an ICU patient who also needs dialysis is very high... :(
I live in Dickinson and had to travel to and from Fargo (4 hours away) . This incurred gas, room, and board costs, possibly lost wages too. Also, I am anticipating other caretaking costs.
I am not asking anyone to pay my bills but it would be very helpful to not feel any effects on my bank being a single mom with a meager teacher salary. In addition, I may have to take unpaid leave to finish arrangements/cares for mom. I suppose I am reaching out for a little helpful seed money to make sure she is covered and I am not financially strapped. I will also need to assume mortgage payments on her home, if she is unable to return home and loses her tenants.
This woman gave me life and strength beyond measure. She taught me everything I know about life, being an amazing mother to my sweet little girl, and not giving up, she also told me sometimes it's hard, but you have got to ask for help if you truly need it. And you know, it is hard to admit, but I need it!
***UPDATE my Momma's last heart beat was 1/18/15 around 9:45pm*** it was a long 5 days and there's still much to care for. I am exhausted and my eyes are puffy and dried out. I am still astonished to have such an amazing support group. My heart is broken and aching and soooo heavy.
Looks like memorial costs and arrangements are gonna be a very pretty penny. I am raising my goal from $2500 to $8000, this is reality based on the REAL cost it is to get all the details works through after her death. I appreciate everyone's help SO much. My heart is so full even now from the donations so far, now it is a whole other ball game.
She has struggled for years with many health problems. She was previously admitted the ER for 5 days in December of 2014 for potassium deficiency and before that pneumonia and infection in January 2011 for 28 days in Bismarck, ND.
The suspicion for the more recent incident is that she may have asphyxiated and passed out which deprived oxygen to her brain and caused cardiac arrest. Her body was very weak from the incident in December and she was struggling with personal cares and mobility.
My mom has no insurance but is thankfully receiving amazing care from the staff at Essentia Health. She currently is sedated and reliant on the many "helps" provided by machines and medication. She is not responding to commands or able to focus her eyes/follow on an object. Right now she is undergoing dialysis. She has pneumonia in one lung that is quite extreme and also has two ulcers. An MRI was conducted and was inconclusive. It showed very few/small signs of hypoxia (brain damage due to oxygen deprivation) and low activity. This news is not really positive or negative, just the starting line of the waiting game.
At this time we are waiting for more dialysis and healing. I did put a DNR in her file, knowing my beautiful, strong willed, opinionated and vociferous mother, she is not going to tolerate another round of CPR plus whatever else. The mortality rate of an ICU patient who also needs dialysis is very high... :(
I live in Dickinson and had to travel to and from Fargo (4 hours away) . This incurred gas, room, and board costs, possibly lost wages too. Also, I am anticipating other caretaking costs.
I am not asking anyone to pay my bills but it would be very helpful to not feel any effects on my bank being a single mom with a meager teacher salary. In addition, I may have to take unpaid leave to finish arrangements/cares for mom. I suppose I am reaching out for a little helpful seed money to make sure she is covered and I am not financially strapped. I will also need to assume mortgage payments on her home, if she is unable to return home and loses her tenants.
This woman gave me life and strength beyond measure. She taught me everything I know about life, being an amazing mother to my sweet little girl, and not giving up, she also told me sometimes it's hard, but you have got to ask for help if you truly need it. And you know, it is hard to admit, but I need it!
***UPDATE my Momma's last heart beat was 1/18/15 around 9:45pm*** it was a long 5 days and there's still much to care for. I am exhausted and my eyes are puffy and dried out. I am still astonished to have such an amazing support group. My heart is broken and aching and soooo heavy.
Looks like memorial costs and arrangements are gonna be a very pretty penny. I am raising my goal from $2500 to $8000, this is reality based on the REAL cost it is to get all the details works through after her death. I appreciate everyone's help SO much. My heart is so full even now from the donations so far, now it is a whole other ball game.
Organizer
Paula Williams
Organizer
Dickinson, ND
