Stand with Theresa
Donation protected
Update: Last evening, September 17, 2017 at 7:17 PM, Mom gained her Angel Wings. Family, friends, and loved ones were by her side. She is no longer suffering and we will all miss her so much. Thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers. It means so much to all of us. We cannot thank you all enough.
***
We sit here staring into a blank GoFundMe page trying to come up with the right words. We are still in complete shock that we actually have to set this up for someone in our own immediate family. Unfortunately, though, cancer does not discriminate and can affect anyone at all, at any age, and any family member – even your own Mother.
In June of 2014, our lives changed suddenly. Our Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. The doctors originally told us she had approximately 6 to 12 short months to live. She had to leave her good job at Vanguard after 25 years. She defied all odds and has fought this horrific cancer with passion and determination for many years now. She has been going through ongoing chemotherapy treatments and radiation. Unfortunately, over the past 3 ½ years, the treatments have affected and taken a toll on other parts of her body – which now include her throat and her heart. Just last month, in July, our Mom was rushed to the hospital after having a heart attack. She was diagnosed with two arteries 90% blocked and one at 60% blockage. Her arteries have been damaged by the radiation treatments. She underwent an extremely risky (due to her condition) surgery, which included placing several stents in her heart and her legs.
Fast forward to the present. The last few weeks have been an absolute roller coaster for our Family. Our Mom is now back home, but is very weak and frail at this point. She has a very hard time eating or drinking because it gives her extreme pain when doing either. After a recent follow-up, the extremely hard decision was made of our Mom going into Hospice. Our Father, who has worked so hard at a company that supports the pharmaceutical industry, needs to go on FMLA to care for our Mom. They have been married for 34 long years and he wants to be at her side to ensure she is as comfortable as possible. We cannot blame him at all. When they both vowed, “In sickness and in health” they took that to heart, as they should.
As you are aware, with Hospice, we just do not know how long our Mom has with our Dad and our Family. This has become an extenuating financial hardship as well. From doctor’s bills and insurance co-payments to lost wages and other medical expenses, it has been hard to say the least.
Please join our Mother in this battle against cancer and through this incredibly difficult time by making a donation to help cover some of their expenses. We know and we have all seen incredible things that our local community, friends, and family can do. We are asking with our hearts if you could please help, even a small amount, to make our Mom and Dad’s time left a bit easier on the finances side of things. It would mean so much to us, but more importantly, it would mean the world to our Mom with her knowing her Husband of 34 years will be okay.
Thank you greatly in advance. We ask that you consider sharing our Mom’s story with your friends on social media not only to get the word out about this GoFundMe page, but about cancer awareness in general. We must come up with a cure!
***
We sit here staring into a blank GoFundMe page trying to come up with the right words. We are still in complete shock that we actually have to set this up for someone in our own immediate family. Unfortunately, though, cancer does not discriminate and can affect anyone at all, at any age, and any family member – even your own Mother.
In June of 2014, our lives changed suddenly. Our Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. The doctors originally told us she had approximately 6 to 12 short months to live. She had to leave her good job at Vanguard after 25 years. She defied all odds and has fought this horrific cancer with passion and determination for many years now. She has been going through ongoing chemotherapy treatments and radiation. Unfortunately, over the past 3 ½ years, the treatments have affected and taken a toll on other parts of her body – which now include her throat and her heart. Just last month, in July, our Mom was rushed to the hospital after having a heart attack. She was diagnosed with two arteries 90% blocked and one at 60% blockage. Her arteries have been damaged by the radiation treatments. She underwent an extremely risky (due to her condition) surgery, which included placing several stents in her heart and her legs.
Fast forward to the present. The last few weeks have been an absolute roller coaster for our Family. Our Mom is now back home, but is very weak and frail at this point. She has a very hard time eating or drinking because it gives her extreme pain when doing either. After a recent follow-up, the extremely hard decision was made of our Mom going into Hospice. Our Father, who has worked so hard at a company that supports the pharmaceutical industry, needs to go on FMLA to care for our Mom. They have been married for 34 long years and he wants to be at her side to ensure she is as comfortable as possible. We cannot blame him at all. When they both vowed, “In sickness and in health” they took that to heart, as they should.
As you are aware, with Hospice, we just do not know how long our Mom has with our Dad and our Family. This has become an extenuating financial hardship as well. From doctor’s bills and insurance co-payments to lost wages and other medical expenses, it has been hard to say the least.
Please join our Mother in this battle against cancer and through this incredibly difficult time by making a donation to help cover some of their expenses. We know and we have all seen incredible things that our local community, friends, and family can do. We are asking with our hearts if you could please help, even a small amount, to make our Mom and Dad’s time left a bit easier on the finances side of things. It would mean so much to us, but more importantly, it would mean the world to our Mom with her knowing her Husband of 34 years will be okay.
Thank you greatly in advance. We ask that you consider sharing our Mom’s story with your friends on social media not only to get the word out about this GoFundMe page, but about cancer awareness in general. We must come up with a cure!
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Walters
Organizer
Spring City, PA
Kenneth Riese
Beneficiary
