Hi I’m Karin O’Shea, I’m a dear friend of Joyce Button-Welniak. Joyce grew up in Duxbury, MA. She’s a full-time hands-on Caregiver, Elder Advocate & Healthcare Proxy to her parents Joan and Jim Button, 90 & 92, respectively for 11+ years. Joan & Jim reside together in Waltham, MA. She compassionately & tirelessly cares for them 12 hrs a day, 7 days a week.

Unfortunately, it’s now her responsibility to take care of herself. She was recently diagnosed with a rare genetic cardiovascular heart disorder, which needs immediate attention & open heart surgery. Drs discovered the left side of her heart is not working & the right side has been overcompensating, thus, keeping her alive.

Joyce’s surgery is scheduled for 10/10/24@7:30 a.m. at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. It requires 3 days in ICU, 10 days in the hospital, total, & a 12-week cardiac rehab stint@Patriot Place in Foxborough, MA. She’ll be in great hands at BWH Boston, under the care of Dr Sary F. Aranki & his amazing care team.

For her peace of mind & to be able to recuperate properly, she needs to have continued care for her parents, at least on a part-time basis. All attempts to secure that, in Joyce’s pending absence, have sadly fallen through & with little time left before undergoing surgery, her incredible devoted & supportive husband, Doug, has committed to stepping up to help her parents (his in-laws).

Therefore, Joyce is in need of in-home care, post surgery.

If all goes as planned, Joyce will be released to the Kingston, MA apartment where she and her husband have temporarily been staying (Joyce has been on the road caring for her parents since 4/20/22 from IL, where she and Doug permanently reside). A Visiting Nurse (‘VNA’) will be sent out within 24-48 hrs to evaluate Joyce’s needs & required care going forward after her 10-day hospital stay. A Continuing Care nurse will also be sent out to guide her through her 12-week cardiac rehab.

The minimum hours for a CNA (Certified Nurses Assistant) is 4 hours@$40 per hour. Joyce is looking at 5 days a week for at least 1 month to help with all of her daily needs & Lyft travel expenses to cardiac rehab w/a CNA (she can’t drive for 3 months or lift more than 5 lbs). The CNA is referred by a well-known Duxbury resident (who employed her services to care for her husband in his time of need). She will travel from Fall River, MA to Kingston, MA.

Please join me in praying for Joyce & supporting her with her recovery & much needed respite, so she can return to caring for her beloved parents in a timely manner.

Your contributions will help ensure professional proper care & support during Joyce’s first month of recovery. Any amount, large or small, would be greatly appreciated and would relieve the burden of worry during this most challenging time. With tremendous gratitude on behalf of Joyce, we thank you!

Karin O’Shea