No Parent should outlive thier child, Help Darla

Hi Everyone, my name is Joy and I have never started a Go Fund Me before.

I would like to introduce you to 2 very strong, incredible women. Darla and Katie Patenaude. I met Darla quite a few years ago working at Walmart. I got to know Darla pretty quick, and she would give me rides to and from work any chance she could.

Darla would often talk about her beautiful, energetic daughter Katie. Darla worked hard to provide the best she could for Katie always picking up any extra hours. I had many talks with Darla about Katie, but I never knew Katie was sick. This wasn't what she spoke of when she talked to Katie.

I moved on to a different career path but would still speak with Darla everytime I was in the store (seemed like Darla was always working) I won't forget the day I went in and Darla told me about Katie's cancer. My heart broke, but both Darla and Katie were very optimistic that everything would be okay. I remember feeling my heart break as I thought about my own children and what I would do if this was me. Darla kept strong and positive and being a mother had no choice but to continue working to make ends meet for her family. Katie has now been given 4 to 6 weeks to live. Darla is now on a leave to take care of her daughter and has many more expenses coming in, and in the near future. Darla has worked so hard to make ends meet, and lost so much precious time so quickly. I'm asking you to please help support this family in any way possible, a dollar, by sharing this story, anything.

I am now the owner of Till Death BBQ and Catering and have a restaurant just past Haliburton. Our family has decided that we will be doing a Sunday Spaghetti Special by donation every Sunday and all proceeds will go to Darla, so maybe she can rest a bit easier and enjoy the final weeks she has with her daughter.

Below is Katie's story as well as her own Facebook post.

Thank you for reading and sharing ❤️

Katie Patenaude was born April 11,1989. At age 9 she was diagnosed with Turners Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Age 12 Katie was diagnosed with partial anomalous venous return, a heart condition which was to require surgery but she never had. Age 17 Katie was diagnosed with hypertension and tachycardia. Katie fought a lot with these disorders but never stopped her from bowling, lawn bowling and working. Katie went to college twice and got a degree in vet assistant and early childhood educator. Unfortunately at the age of 32 Katie was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal metastatic colon cancer She went through 15 radiation treatments and 21 rounds of chemo, 2 different kinds. She also has had 6 units in blood in the last month. On august 9 Katie was rushed to hospital by ambulance for a huge bedsore/ ulcer in her lower back. The ulcer ended up being worse than expected and katie was put in the palliative unit at Ross memorial hospital until arrangement can be made to take her home.

This is the post Katie posted. Wow how brave and strong u are Katie. Love u so much

Really don’t want to make this post but I guess it’s time to let everyone know! My mom made a post yesterday but it’s my turn I suppose!

So the ulcer is really bad and I’ve had it for a while and it’s part of the cancer as well and it’s just a mess!!

I will be going home soon with medical transportation to a hospital bed and my mom and dad are going on compassionate leave from work to be home with me and take care of me along with home care coming and of course Mike being there as well! We all decided for me to pass at home and not here in the hospital where I would be until then if I wasn’t going home! Because of the ulcer and how it is they are very very unfortunately giving me 4-6 weeks! It was not easy at all to hear that but unfortunately that’s my reality at this time!!

We will be talking to OT tomorrow about the hospital bed going to the house and then once it’s there I’ll be going home!!!