Rare Curveball of Life Smacks Dorothy & Sundiata

Hi Everyone, I am Koren Anne, a close friend of Dorothy Williams and Sundiata Patterson. These two have endured a lot of heart ache and personal physical pain over the past 7 months. Dorothy was in a car accident on her way to work one morning. A dump truck took a right turn from a left lane, pushing her vehicle up a side street and whipping her around at the same time about 180 degrees. She did everything in her power to sit in traffic day in and day out to get to work and work a full 8 hour day. But eventually the pain from her injuries just got so bad she couldn't anymore. She went through so many injections for pain in her lower back, neck, shoulder and knee. She did physical therapy. She has tried many different pain regiments, but nothing lasted more than a week or two. After consulting with three different doctors, they all agreed that she will need Lumbar Fusion Surgery on her lower back to repair it and another procedure on her left shoulder. They are hoping the herniated disc in her neck will heal on it's on. Her knee has gotten better.

While dealing with all of this, Sundiata's first and only 1 year old grandson, died in an unimaginable tragic accident. As they heal from that, they prepare for the brutal 3-4months recovery Dorothy will be facing from back surgery and 2 month recovery for her shoulder. They were all set to have Sundiata work during the day and care for Dorothy at night and Dorothy's 18 year old daughter, Jasmine mother of an 11 month old baby girl, would care for Dorothy and baby Luna during the day and go to class at night. Dorothy's brother has moved in and he helps with Sebastian, Dorothy's 11 year old son, house keeping and some of the cooking. (he has some mental disabilities that prevents him from working)

But then last month, Sundiata ended up in the ER. He was so weak from blood loss and couldn't catch his breathe. After a week long of tests and biopsies, it had been confirmed he has Stage 4 Colon Cancer that has spread to his lungs. Yes, he had symptoms, but he kept dismissing them as side effects from covid and other stomach issues. They never imagined Stage 4 Colon Cancer. So now while Sundiata fights for his life, Dorothy still has to have the two surgeries so that she can eventually go back to work full time. But this now means both of them at the exact same time will be unable to work for 3-6 months for Dorothy and 6+ months for Sundiata, if Chemo works. Also means, Jasmine will be taking on ALL household responsibilities, take care of her mom, Sundiata, and Baby Luna, go to school at night and work Doordash part time. Dorothy's brother will continue helping with Sebastian and Luna. I can't imagine being 18 years old, and have to take on ALL of this at one time.

Dorothy and Sundiata have downsized and sold everything possible to help with immediate cost of living and medical expenses up til now. However, with no household income there is no way they will be able to stay afloat over the next 30days, let alone another 6 months, which is the realistic recovery time period they are looking at.

This family moved to Arizona in 2021 from Texas. Nearly all of their friends and family live in other states. Most of us can't stop our lives to physically be there with them, but what we can do is rally together to raise enough money to help with their monthly living expenses and medical costs not covered by insurance to help alleviate some of their stress for the next 6 months.

Updated: 06/11/2024

Dorothy has had her shoulder surgery and is doing well. She had her back surgery on 05/13. She had a complication that ended making her 2 day hospital stay turn into 10days. Her pain when she got home was so unbearable it took the doctors 5 days to get all her meds correct for home. She was on the up and up, when a week later she woke up with paralyzing pain in her abdomen. Within 4 days, a spot in her left back side, left leg, and left hip were also in agonizing pain. She couldn't walk, sit, stand, sit up, sit down, or roll over laying down sending her to the ER. She was released the next day after getting that pain under control. She had some how caused serious inflammation around the spine causing all that pain. Today, she is still slow moving, but doing much better.

Sundiata has finally begun Chemo. They used very strong medicines causing his tongue to swell up and his throat to hurt so bad he could barely swallow. He had sores all over his mouth he couldn't eat for about 10days. He is better and can eat soft foods. He has lost more weight and was exhausted the first week His next Chemo session is tomorrow. It is too early to know if Chemo is working or not.

Because of financial troubles, Jasmine has taken her brother Sebastián and daughter Luna back to Texas to live with family. Where she has taken on full responsibility for both.

Dorothy, Sundiata, and her brother David have moved into a small extended stay. While Dorothy and Sundiata are down, David has taken over full Care taker responsibilities. All the cooking, Cleaning, and helps Dorothy with walking.

If ever a random act of kindness was needed by you it is now. Thank you, God Bless you, and keep them in your prayers.