Char Hamilton's Funeral Costs and Expenses

Hello everyone, my name is Breanna. I’ve known Char Hamilton my whole life; she was a very close friend of my mom, Kristen, like a mother to me. So I have created this GoFundMe on behalf of Teryn, Char's daughter. I’m reaching out to ask for help with funeral expenses and other expenses to help Teryn get through this awfully hard time.

From Teryn's Facebook post:

Hi everyone, I am writing this on behalf of my mother, Char Hamilton. I am extremely sad to announce that she passed away the morning of November 15th, 2024. I have learned that few of you knew she had been struggling with her health, but Char kept the news from most.

Last year, my mom developed tingling on one side of her body and went to the ER to rule out a stroke. They did an MRI and found a brain aneurysm, which is a weakened artery. They did further testing to see the true size and found a second one that was smaller. The larger of the two was in a weird position that was too dangerous to operate on, which made it likely to recur. This year, she had a worsening of symptoms and scheduled a retest. Doctors found that the larger aneurysm got bigger, and they also found a third one. She knew it would only get worse.

On Sunday morning, the 10th, after a severe headache that caused her to become unconscious, she was rushed by ambulance to the hospital with signs of a head bleed. Since the aneurysms were diagnosed previously, the doctors did an emergency surgery to stop the bleeding, but it was extensive and caused permanent damage. She was placed in the ICU until family could arrive to make a decision. When I arrived, my mom was not conscious, with a machine breathing for her. We were faced with making a terrible choice. My grandmother and I visited with her and slept on it.

When we went back the next day, the doctors told us the damage was severe and Char would be permanently disabled. They told us the best-case scenario was that the stroke would cause full paralysis on the left side and she could regain full movement on the right side, but the bleeding and swelling of the brain cause other damage that cannot be predicted. They hoped she would be able to swallow, hoped that she would be able to breathe, and it was possible she might be able to walk. On the other hand, there was also the potential that she could be permanently bed-bound with a feeding and breathing tube, and this is all if she wakes up. Doctors also told me that it is quite common to have additional bleeds within a few days of the original. We had to make a decision on that day to do another surgery to lower the swelling and continue keeping her alive, knowing there was no way to cure or slow the progress.

My mom, Char, was in communication with me and a few family friends about her condition after the first diagnosis. She made us aware that with its location, there was no way to stop progression. It was just a matter of time. She made it very clear that she wanted a DNR honored. She did not want to risk being in a nursing home for the rest of her life or having to be cared for by others. Knowing her wishes and the severity of the injury, with doctors giving her a 0% chance of full recovery, we decided to decline life-saving treatment and remove the life support. I did this in full confidence it was the choice she would have made if she could have. We removed the life support Tuesday morning. She was moved to a different unit where close friends and family visited to say their goodbyes. I got a call early Friday morning that she had a change of condition and I should come to the hospital. When I got there, the nurse informed me that she had passed halfway through my drive.

For those who I did not reach out to, please do not take any offense. This was an extremely stressful and sad experience for me and my grandma, and it was hard for us to think in such emotional times. Although Char knew it could happen, it was sooner than we all expected. Some details, like Facebook passwords, were not shared, making it difficult to contact everyone who cared. For those who did visit her in the hospital, my grandmother and I greatly appreciate the love and support that we both have received from each of you. I will be coming out with the details for the celebration of life soon, but I am thinking of plans more towards the beginning of the year due to the holidays and full schedules.

Thank you to those who were friends with my mother at any point in life. She truly is a special person, and I wish more than anything that things would have worked out better for her. She deserved more from life. We are in deep loss, and she will be greatly missed.