Support Arnie's Family in Their Time of Need

I never thought I’d be here asking for help to give my dad a proper send off, but here I am.

My father Arnie has battled Parkinson’s with Lewey Body Dementia for around 8 years. Last Monday, he aspirated and had no pulse when paramedics arrived. Despite having a DNR, paramedics performed CPR but still found no pulse with only his pacemaker showing a rhythm.

We were told he was gone but would be taken to the hospital.

When we arrived and walked into his room he was there, alone, somewhat conscious and sitting up. He was alive, somehow.

What has followed has been nothing short of a nightmare. If we were to choose continued care, he would’ve needed dialysis for his failing kidneys and a feeding tube. And even then he would still be at risk for aspirating and continued Pneumonia. So we made the difficult decision to move him into hospice. After several scares involving insurance and not knowing where he would be going or if we would have to take him home for hospice, things finally went our way and he was moved to receive comfort care at Cortland Guthrie Nursing Home at Misty Glen. Which was our number one choice.

Now the days are spent with him, watching him fade. My worst fears have happened, and now we wait.

As if this isn’t hard enough, my mom now faces the agonizing worry of how to pay for a funeral, as well as an instant cut of half her household Social Security income. I’ve only been able to work part time in order to care for him the last 3 years, and now not at all. Now I’m just with him and my mom, kissing him and telling him I love him, hoping his transition is peaceful and quiet.

I feel helpless, unable to help him or my mom. It’s a cut to my gut that never goes away. I don’t sleep, I’m barely eating and I just need help. I hate asking for it. I’m the person who always wants to help others, it’s what I live for. But right now I want to help my mom because if there is a human out there who deserves to have a little financial stress be eased, it’s her. His best friend, the love of his life.

If you’re able to help, I can’t thank you enough. And even if you can’t, I truly appreciate the support we’ve been shown from friends near and far. Reading messages from people who I’ve met in all the phases of my life makes me feel loved beyond words. I’m really grateful. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.

however much I’m able to raise will go directly to helping us honor my dad with a funeral and the next couple months of bills until my mom can deal with Social Security. I truly appreciate anyone reading and passing it along. Taking away some financial burden is the only way I know to help.