*This is the same campaign as on Facebook. Some people dislike one or the other, so I have accommodated that and done both.*

After fighting the effects of Cushings Disease, which is caused by a rarely diagnosed pituitary tumor, Michael sustained numerous damaging health issues.

Getting diagnosed was a decades long fight so there were many health problems associated with the untreated tumor.

He bounced back from congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, both of which totally resolved. He survived a brain stem stroke. He fell and broke his ankle and healed from that surgery.

He has managed adrenal insufficiency (which was a daily life threatening condition) caused by the surgery that brought remission to his Cushings Disease.

But also the years of damaging hypertension, caused by the excess cortisol produced by the tumor, damaged Michael’s kidneys .

He managed to live many years in stage 3/4 kidney failure. But finally this summer his kidneys entered into End Stage Renal Disease. He explored the possibility of dialysis but decided that for a variety of reasons, it was not a good choice. He decided to use Conservative Care and allow the disease to run its course. He entered hospice in July with the prospect of lasting until March (or beyond).

But the disease progressed faster than anticipated. After looking at his latest tests, the hospice doctor said he probably wouldn’t make it to Christmas.

Yet, he never showed the signs of an imminent death.

Michael and Barbara had been planning for the cremation costs but this happened so suddenly that Barbara was caught off guard. She was able to arrange to weather the loss of his Social Security check that paid their rent.

She will get a Widows benefit check eventually but her appointment is not until Jan 14. She had some lines of credit for emergencies, but many of them were in Michael's name and can no longer legally be used. 

Right now she needs to pay for the most basic cremation cost, which is $2000. She had arranged for the cremation and needs to pay when she picks up his ashes on Jan 6.

Barbara would also like to be able to arrange for her and her youngest Karma to go see her oldest daughter Amanda in Utah, Due to ongoing medical issues with Amanda and her daughter Felicity,  Amanda is unable to travel to Minnesota to be with Barbara and Karma during this difficult time. Barbara would instead like to be able to go spend some time with Amanda, her husband Patrick, her granddaughter Felicity and her grandson Isaac. 

Added by daughter Amanda: My mom has been an artist for many years and has lived on a very limited income. She doesn't like to ask people to help so this was a struggle to get her to agree to this.

She has lived on such a limited income for such a long time because all her income comes from her art. I would like to raise money above the goal to help her get back on her feet after having been a caregiver for so long. She didn't have the time needed to dedicate to her art. I know it was worth it for her to be able to focus on Dad but her art and income took a hit.