Support Carol's Home Care
Donation protected
In late April my momma, Carol O'Rourke, was diagnosed with a grade IV glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer with a prognosis of 11-15 months. Her tumor was of significant size, described to us as a butterfly; meaning it had grown into both hemispheres of her brain. The butterfly tumor was located in her frontal cortex which is responsible for motor function, problem solving, spontaneity, memory, language, initiation, judgement, impulse control and behavior. The size of the tumor resulted in significant impairments in every function listed.
For my family, this was staggering to comprehend. She was the person we depended on for everything. She was disciplined and dedicated to the core of her being. For 26 years she never let me get away with anything. For 25 years she was a manager/supervisor of IT. For 10 years she woke up every workday at 4:30am to exercise. Turns out my momma’s cancer journey had way more planned for us than we could have planned for.
In late May she suffered a seizure so devastating, it led to an emergency second brain surgery. Reality shifted once again. From significant impairments to, “Currently very low functioning and not expected to improve significantly.” That was over six months ago.
Today, my momma continues to be a living miracle; she laughs at everything (especially herself), she makes the best out of everything, she fights beyond her pain and exhaustion, and she has endless love to give to everyone she encounters. Not even brain cancer could destroy the spirit of my momma, although it had managed to destroy everything else.
But the reality remains and the level of constant care she needs is extensive. My father has taken on the role of her caregiver along with heavy assistance from my grandparents and a full-time nurse during the week. Paying for inpatient rehabilitation, accessibility home modifications, private nurse, transportation, medications, treatments, specialists- have all added up over the last six months. And continue to be ongoing financial costs of keeping my momma at home.
My father has spared nothing to give my momma every chance to have the highest possible quality of life, as our main goal has always been to keep my momma in her own home. As the new year begins, my father will have even steeper costs as all the deductibles reset while continuing the weekly cost of keeping my mommas nurse full time. From the start, it was unacceptable for my momma to be anywhere but at home and with him. He has dedicated his heart and soul to these two things and it is my wish to do anything to help him follow his path with my momma.
For my family, this was staggering to comprehend. She was the person we depended on for everything. She was disciplined and dedicated to the core of her being. For 26 years she never let me get away with anything. For 25 years she was a manager/supervisor of IT. For 10 years she woke up every workday at 4:30am to exercise. Turns out my momma’s cancer journey had way more planned for us than we could have planned for.
In late May she suffered a seizure so devastating, it led to an emergency second brain surgery. Reality shifted once again. From significant impairments to, “Currently very low functioning and not expected to improve significantly.” That was over six months ago.
Today, my momma continues to be a living miracle; she laughs at everything (especially herself), she makes the best out of everything, she fights beyond her pain and exhaustion, and she has endless love to give to everyone she encounters. Not even brain cancer could destroy the spirit of my momma, although it had managed to destroy everything else.
But the reality remains and the level of constant care she needs is extensive. My father has taken on the role of her caregiver along with heavy assistance from my grandparents and a full-time nurse during the week. Paying for inpatient rehabilitation, accessibility home modifications, private nurse, transportation, medications, treatments, specialists- have all added up over the last six months. And continue to be ongoing financial costs of keeping my momma at home.
My father has spared nothing to give my momma every chance to have the highest possible quality of life, as our main goal has always been to keep my momma in her own home. As the new year begins, my father will have even steeper costs as all the deductibles reset while continuing the weekly cost of keeping my mommas nurse full time. From the start, it was unacceptable for my momma to be anywhere but at home and with him. He has dedicated his heart and soul to these two things and it is my wish to do anything to help him follow his path with my momma.
Organizer
Alexandria O'Rourke
Organizer
Kingston, PA