- K
- T
A stroke on their first wedding anniversary, transplant complications, five months in a hospital bed and a forever-changed life…
Anyone who knows Tony and Karen Cade also know how selfless and generous they have been with their time, money and love over the years - even when it stretched them thin to do so. Neither of them has ever hesitated to lend a hand to any one of us when in need. Now it is our turn and opportunity to show our love and devotion to them in their time of need.
Over 5 years ago, on their one-year anniversary, Tony suffered a stroke. Karen recognized what was happening and sought treatment quickly, but Tony had already sustained life-altering damage. Since then, Karen has devoted every minute to tending to her husband's needs; from all-day shifts of running dialysis treatments to making sure he had the best in nutrition, love, encouragement, support and care. Karen has proven to all of us through her actions that you don't have to be married long to live out the deepest meaning of marriage vows. Tony has not only suffered in a lengthy state of illness and seclusion that has removed him from all of the people and hobbies that he knows and loves, but he has also endured watching his bride take on roles and responsibilities that he never intended her to. Both of them have had no choice but to ride this rollercoaster of missed visits, holidays and events, family gatherings and birthdays, nights out and daily routines that most of us take for granted on a daily basis.
In July of 2019 their exhaustingly full days of treatment, doctor visits and sufferings seemed to be nearing a hopeful close when a donor kidney became available. Tony underwent the transplant surgery only to suffer a series of even more life-threatening complications. Tony has been in a bed now for 5 months and during that time he had to undergo multiple procedures that has left him with life sustaining tubes going into his stomach and lungs which now hinder his ability to eat solid food and speak. He also had lost his ability to sit up and move on his own due to muscle degeneration and atrophy and now requires even more care and rehabilitation. Karen has yet to leave Tony's side through it all and even slept in the hospital rooms for the duration of his stay. From recovery rooms to critical care rooms - she was next to him, holding his hands, speaking love and encouragement into his ears, reading his lips to understand his words and fighting healthcare battles to ensure that he received the best treatment possible.
Tony and Karen have finally, after many answered prayers, made it back home just days ago. As much as being back home is a blessing for them, this new season presents its own overwhelming number of obstacles and struggles. Along with Tony's continued need for dialysis treatment, he can no longer move himself around the house or perform tasks that he could before his surgery. Karen can't leave him alone even to run simple errands as her hands are completely tied to his care. To make matters worse, on top of the accumulated cost and duration of treatment, their refrigerator recently quit working all together. That is something none of us want to deal with on our best days, for them it's another devastation. Please, let all of us recognize this holiday season that our wants and simple pleasures don't come close in measure to the needs of these two exceedingly wonderful people. Please join me in meeting their needs and bringing them joy and hope of a better year to come.
What can we do? From delivered groceries to maid services, small pleasures to much-needed funds; let's show them our love. Please donate as you feel led to. I'd like to see this goal met or exceeded by January 1st. If we achieve this goal quickly, I may raise the bar in hopes of providing a longer duration of blessing for this couple. If you feel led to send generosity in the form of a gift or service and need my assistance, please feel free to contact me. Thank you all, God bless and Merry Christmas!!!
Anyone who knows Tony and Karen Cade also know how selfless and generous they have been with their time, money and love over the years - even when it stretched them thin to do so. Neither of them has ever hesitated to lend a hand to any one of us when in need. Now it is our turn and opportunity to show our love and devotion to them in their time of need.
Over 5 years ago, on their one-year anniversary, Tony suffered a stroke. Karen recognized what was happening and sought treatment quickly, but Tony had already sustained life-altering damage. Since then, Karen has devoted every minute to tending to her husband's needs; from all-day shifts of running dialysis treatments to making sure he had the best in nutrition, love, encouragement, support and care. Karen has proven to all of us through her actions that you don't have to be married long to live out the deepest meaning of marriage vows. Tony has not only suffered in a lengthy state of illness and seclusion that has removed him from all of the people and hobbies that he knows and loves, but he has also endured watching his bride take on roles and responsibilities that he never intended her to. Both of them have had no choice but to ride this rollercoaster of missed visits, holidays and events, family gatherings and birthdays, nights out and daily routines that most of us take for granted on a daily basis.
In July of 2019 their exhaustingly full days of treatment, doctor visits and sufferings seemed to be nearing a hopeful close when a donor kidney became available. Tony underwent the transplant surgery only to suffer a series of even more life-threatening complications. Tony has been in a bed now for 5 months and during that time he had to undergo multiple procedures that has left him with life sustaining tubes going into his stomach and lungs which now hinder his ability to eat solid food and speak. He also had lost his ability to sit up and move on his own due to muscle degeneration and atrophy and now requires even more care and rehabilitation. Karen has yet to leave Tony's side through it all and even slept in the hospital rooms for the duration of his stay. From recovery rooms to critical care rooms - she was next to him, holding his hands, speaking love and encouragement into his ears, reading his lips to understand his words and fighting healthcare battles to ensure that he received the best treatment possible.
Tony and Karen have finally, after many answered prayers, made it back home just days ago. As much as being back home is a blessing for them, this new season presents its own overwhelming number of obstacles and struggles. Along with Tony's continued need for dialysis treatment, he can no longer move himself around the house or perform tasks that he could before his surgery. Karen can't leave him alone even to run simple errands as her hands are completely tied to his care. To make matters worse, on top of the accumulated cost and duration of treatment, their refrigerator recently quit working all together. That is something none of us want to deal with on our best days, for them it's another devastation. Please, let all of us recognize this holiday season that our wants and simple pleasures don't come close in measure to the needs of these two exceedingly wonderful people. Please join me in meeting their needs and bringing them joy and hope of a better year to come.
What can we do? From delivered groceries to maid services, small pleasures to much-needed funds; let's show them our love. Please donate as you feel led to. I'd like to see this goal met or exceeded by January 1st. If we achieve this goal quickly, I may raise the bar in hopes of providing a longer duration of blessing for this couple. If you feel led to send generosity in the form of a gift or service and need my assistance, please feel free to contact me. Thank you all, God bless and Merry Christmas!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Karen Kinnamon-Cade
Beneficiary