This is lengthy, because I’d like you all to get to know my mom a little❤️

My name is Rachelle.  I am the only living child to my mom, Gloria.

Heres my mom story…

My mom was born May 28, 1950. She grew up on a farm in Munger. Somewhere near 20, she found out she had some type of bone marrow cancer. She had her bone removed, and continued on

My mom married Fred Karol and they began their life together. They then had a son named Tommy, who was born on December 10, 1975. Soon after that, mom got pregnant, and they lost a baby boy. Next, they had a baby girl on March 16, 1975, and named her Patty.

Then in March of 1978, their house caught fire, and my mom became the only survivor. She moved to Florida and came back in 1980. While living in Birch Run, and working as a waitress, she met my dad. A Michigan State Trooper from Bridgeport.

And then on October 11, 1981… I entered the world.

Weighing only 3lbs 11oz. 

My mom and dad chose to not be together, so I lived with my mom. We had some of the best times. We spent so much time together. 

My mom and I were inseparable!

She did all those things for me that parents do. Good and bad. She taught me so much. Even those little hobbies like crocheting, knitting, cooking, word searches,how to polka, and crafts. She always had a bible in the house. And now, approximately 15

As a child, I’d snooped through all her things and read all of her bible notes:)

Going on walks, watching days of our lives and listening to the ocean in her conch shell, were some of my favorite things to do. She spoiled me with love. I truly believe that she took away all my pain.

We weren’t very fortunate. But she always found a way. And didn’t give up.

Things became very hard, and we moved to Bay City in I think 1997. We stayed in a homeless shelter for a couple of years. And she became a coordinator for the shelter.

While she worked there and at Sempliners to save money, I continued going to school.

She met Russell. He was also a coordinator also. They have been together since!

I am very blessed to have been given a bonus dad. He has taken care of my mom and she has taken care of him. He has also been there for me. Walking me 20 blocks at 6am to catch the metro bus from Bay City to school in Pinconning every day❤️

In 2001, I moved out and started my own journey. That left them for their own time. They started gardening, and cooking together, and just loving each other more.

On September 13,2002…they became grandparents for the first time! We welcomed Jaelyn Elizabeth. I have no words that can describe how much my mom loved her from the second she saw her

Then Russell started to become ill. Neuropathy and Copd. He slowly wasn’t able to do the things he wanted to do. So my mom started doing more. All while watching Jaelyn while we worked.

She never stopped! Always something to do or somewhere to go.

Then, another surprise, Elleh Rae was born on October 16,2007.

In 2010, we moved next door to them.

Always having slumber parties at grandma and papas were the girls’ favorite times. They got whatever they wanted! She did everything for them and us, and I feel like she became tired.

As she entered her 60’s, she started to slowdown finally.

She started to not feel good often when she neared 70, but didn’t always say anything. I just thought allergies, age, etc.

Then covid hit. We all know the effect it had on people. So I won’t go there.

But it kept us from going over there. So we followed up with phone calls. And a few visits by me here and there. Just so we wouldn’t give them covid because we were in the public always.

In 2021, I quit my job because of mine and their health reasons. And because Elleh was so far behind in school, I had to help with homeschooling.

My health declined, and I wasn’t able to do as much for them as I wanted. I made the mistake of assuming that they’d tell me if they needed anything. Well, they didn’t. They weren’t cooking or cleaning. And didn’t leave the house. I got busy with my life and didn’t notice that they needed me more. They always said they were ok.

One night I got a call saying my mom was going by ambulance to the hospital.

She couldn’t breathe and was in excruciating pain. The hospital did all the tests. They found a 9cm mass on her right lung. They did a biopsy which came back inconclusive. They did another biopsy and decided she needed a PET Scan.

But because she had to be out of the hospital for 3 days before she could do the test, and they only do them on Friday’s, she had to wait about a month total for the results since the initial ER visit.

She was in the hospital about 10 times in less than two months. All they could do was give pain and breathing meds.

Then the worst day came. It was like a nightmare. Having a doctor tell you that you mom has stage 4 lung cancer and is untreatable. Chemo/radiation couldn’t save her at this point, was the worst thing that I ever imagined I’d be told.

It spread to her back and neck, lymph nodes and her other organs. I honestly wasn’t explained this in an easy way to understand for the state of mind I was in. But I really don’t need to know anyway. 

They told me she will be on hospice from this point forward. 

Because I wanted to make her comfortable at home, I needed to clean and straighten her house. So she stayed in a facility for 10 days. She would’ve come home sooner, but a Elleh was in Florida, Jason and Jaelyn had to work. So it was hard to get everything done in a shorter time. Not wanting to drive my vehicle because I don’t completely trust it right now after it being broke down for 3 months, set me back with so much too.

She came home on Sunday 4/10.

She lays in bed most of the time. Only getting up to use the bathroom sometimes, and to sit in the chair when she feels up to it.

She has lost all interest in everything:(

I am her caregiver and I want to be her daughter. 

I am reaching out because my mom doesn’t have life insurance, no hidden money and no back up plan. The back story should explain why. I can’t pay for this alone.

I want her to be laid to rest exactly the way she requests. She deserves that and much more.

I haven’t had to do anything to this extent and while I haven’t been able to go back to work full time, money is super tight. I am not prepared.

I'm asking for whatever anyone can afford to help. Please help me make this transition easy. I need it. I love my mom. I want to spend her last days not stressing about how I am going to care for her.

Her headstone and plot is paid in full.

I am responsible for the rest. Which includes the burial part. Thats is approx $3000 plus the casket. 

I also need to pay for the funeral expenses. I have no idea on the cost of that part. I haven’t reached out yet.

I thank each and everyone of you who have helped so far. I love you all.

Please, keep in mind, that she is best friend and I love her so very much.

Thank you.