Hello Everyone,
My name is Mark Rehm. Recently we've had an event that has thrown all of my family into emotional turmoil.
My mother, Chris Rehm , 63, has been through so much this past two years. So much more than she deserves. Mom is such a selfless and wonderful person. She has raised two loving boys and helped turn them into caring and responsible men. She has been a loving wife to my father. Most of all she cares and loves for her family above all. Now its my turn to try and help her through this difficult time. Let me tell you her difficult story...
At the start it was numbness of her feet. She went to quite a few specialists to get it solved and eventually they found a crushed disk in her lower back. Eventually surgery was decided and had her L2-L5 lumbar disks fused. Through quite a large amount of pain she made it through. Mom made it back on her feet and was able to operate relatively normally.
Then, earlier this year she had a bout of dizziness and confusion. She was unable to decipher her phone, her name, or where she was, despite being in her own home.
Dad took her to the Rex hospital and she was there for a week to no avail. They found two spots on her MRI but too small for Rex to readily handle or evaluate.
She was referred to Duke University Hosipital in Durham. It was here that the tumors were found: two small spots in her brain. A biopsy was eventually performed and the diagnosis came in - gliblastoma.
Here's more info - https://www.google.com/">http://www.abta.org/brain-tumor-information/types-of-tumors/glioblastoma.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
Finally, treatments were recommended - Radiation, Chemo, Steroids, and various other meds.
The first to go was some motor functions especially her ability to walk. The second her language skills, and her hair.
My parents are loving, caring people. They are proud and sometimes private to a fault. They have so far tried to shield us from the worst but we can't help but feel the need to do whatever we can.
My father, at 78 years old, the most dedicated and courageous man that I know, has been doing almost everything by himself. Driving Mom from Raleigh to Durham on an almost daily basis and caring for all my mother's needs.
As anyone can imagine the stress is extreme, the emotions deep and hard. And the worry, constant.
Finally, the bills for all her hospital stays, her treatments and her medications have been rolling in. As one can imagine they are substantial, even with insurance.
So here is where I implore You, anyone out there whom has had a loved one, a friend, or yourself go through such a painful journey, to help my Mom and Dad. Please donate any amount to help them through this tough time and help relieve the pressure. The pressure of whether they have to choose between keeping the lights on or paying for Mom's next treatment. The pressure of financial decisions in what should be the retired and carefree days of their lives. Anything, no matter how small, would help. I thank you all for reading her story. God bless.
A Worried Son,
Mark
My name is Mark Rehm. Recently we've had an event that has thrown all of my family into emotional turmoil.
My mother, Chris Rehm , 63, has been through so much this past two years. So much more than she deserves. Mom is such a selfless and wonderful person. She has raised two loving boys and helped turn them into caring and responsible men. She has been a loving wife to my father. Most of all she cares and loves for her family above all. Now its my turn to try and help her through this difficult time. Let me tell you her difficult story...
At the start it was numbness of her feet. She went to quite a few specialists to get it solved and eventually they found a crushed disk in her lower back. Eventually surgery was decided and had her L2-L5 lumbar disks fused. Through quite a large amount of pain she made it through. Mom made it back on her feet and was able to operate relatively normally.
Then, earlier this year she had a bout of dizziness and confusion. She was unable to decipher her phone, her name, or where she was, despite being in her own home.
Dad took her to the Rex hospital and she was there for a week to no avail. They found two spots on her MRI but too small for Rex to readily handle or evaluate.
She was referred to Duke University Hosipital in Durham. It was here that the tumors were found: two small spots in her brain. A biopsy was eventually performed and the diagnosis came in - gliblastoma.
Here's more info - https://www.google.com/">http://www.abta.org/brain-tumor-information/types-of-tumors/glioblastoma.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
Finally, treatments were recommended - Radiation, Chemo, Steroids, and various other meds.
The first to go was some motor functions especially her ability to walk. The second her language skills, and her hair.
My parents are loving, caring people. They are proud and sometimes private to a fault. They have so far tried to shield us from the worst but we can't help but feel the need to do whatever we can.
My father, at 78 years old, the most dedicated and courageous man that I know, has been doing almost everything by himself. Driving Mom from Raleigh to Durham on an almost daily basis and caring for all my mother's needs.
As anyone can imagine the stress is extreme, the emotions deep and hard. And the worry, constant.
Finally, the bills for all her hospital stays, her treatments and her medications have been rolling in. As one can imagine they are substantial, even with insurance.
So here is where I implore You, anyone out there whom has had a loved one, a friend, or yourself go through such a painful journey, to help my Mom and Dad. Please donate any amount to help them through this tough time and help relieve the pressure. The pressure of whether they have to choose between keeping the lights on or paying for Mom's next treatment. The pressure of financial decisions in what should be the retired and carefree days of their lives. Anything, no matter how small, would help. I thank you all for reading her story. God bless.
A Worried Son,
Mark
Organizer and beneficiary
Chris Rehm
Beneficiary