We need a stair lift & home modific
Donation protected
D'ANGELO, Marie Therese (Terry) (nee Richer) After a courageous battle with cancer, on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at the Elisabeth Bruyere Hospital at the age of 56. She will be dearly missed by her husband of 20 years, Ivano, her beloved sons Anthony and Jack. Terry was a dear sister to Anne (David O'Grady). She was predeceased by her parents, Lana and John Richer. Dear sister-in-law to Joe D'Angelo (Tami) and aunt to Jared, daughter-in-law to Margherita and the late Antonio. Terry will be lovingly remembered by her many aunts, uncles, and cousins both in Canada and Italy, and her colleagues at the Federation For The Humanities and Social Sciences; Invest Ottawa; and The Westin Hotel, Ottawa. A Celebration of her life will be held at The Westin, Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 25 from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. with sharing of memories beginning at 3:00 p.m. For those who wish, contributions in her memory may be directed to a trust dedicated to her sons - information to follow. Her family wish to extend a sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Ottawa General and Elisabeth Bruyere hospitals for the compassionate and professional care. Condolences and sharing memories at www.capitalmemorial.ca
Our hearts are broken as we mourn the passing of our beloved Terry. She passed away peacefully July 11, 2018 . We would like to thank everyone for all of your support during this very difficult journey.
Update - December 28, 2017.
Finally received biopsy results. It is a brain tumour and it is cancer . Not the worse kind mind you . It is not curable but somewhat treatable with radiation and chemo . Radiation is key and intense and will be everyday at the general campus , 5 days a week for 6 weeks... ouff . Chemo will be fine and done orally at home and will support/ enhance radiation . Boys are aware . This is our bubble and journey we are in . Making calls everyday with insurance and red tape is never ending . Just don’t understand that we have to continually call, ask and follow up with services that we qualify for. Why can’t they just make them happen . Letters, forms then hurry up and wait etc ... if you everyone in these services would talk and just come through and do what they say they would do, that would minimize the calls and follow up . We are drained overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done but we love each other and we are hopeful, optimistic and determined. We’re working hard at home for no drama, normalcy and sense of humour . Yes it’s a struggle for all of us just taking care of me cause I can’t do it for myself . So we make fun of my gimpyness and laugh. This is what we’ve been given and it’s ok ... could be worse . But we are not worse.
Thank you to those that have reached out and supported us in so many ways . We love you - you have no idea . By your sharing our story we’ve had complete strangers support us . That’s incredible.
The story
A few months ago, at the age of 55, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Because of its location, surgery is not an option , so chemo, radiation are the current plan.
I am married to my love Ivano for 20 years and we have two teenage boys, Anthony, 18 and Jack, 15. We live in Barrhaven, a suburb of Ottawa and really need help.
Ivano has been employed with the Westin hotel in Ottawa for the last 28 years and I am the Director of Congress with the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences planning Canada’s largest academic conference at a different Canadian university each year. In 2017 we had over 10,000 attendees.
Mobility has quickly decreased in last few weeks and I need constant help to bathe, dress and getting to the washroom. I can no longer continue to get up stairs to my bed and shower. So I’m now staying upstairs and living in the master bedroom. I have no function on the left side of my body ... similar to a stroke . With no home care or help on the horizon this is incredibly stressful for my husband as he is being all things for me and the family with no day to day relief. My constant care and worry are quickly becoming overwhelming for my family.
It is now apparent that we need a proper stair lift . Because our stairs are curved the cost is at least $10,000 to $15,000. My treatments and other appointments are starting this week and I have no way to get to them as I can no longer navigate the stairs. There are patient transfer services but at $350 a day that is not not covered by insurance to get me to and from each appointment several times a week is not a sustainable option . I need to get measured for a custom foot brace to help with my mobility but I can’t get there to be measured.
Setting up a bed on the main level is also not an option as I cannot access a washroom or shower.
We may also need to modify our bathroom so I can I walk In or roll in . We have a bench at the moment but we expect it to become more challenging once treatments start. My husband simply cannot keep lifting me out. Too dangerous and stressful for all.
Funds are needed for these items to be installed and hire some basic home help as soon as possible so our quality of life and focus on treatments become the main objective and not a burden because we are overwhelmed.
We have to get to these appointments.
Savings are being used to cover loss wages.
As an event planner making arrangements is what I do. However trying to make calls, look for grants and subsidies is a full time job and is difficult for me to sustain day in and out in making calls, research or applications. It’s just not good for my recovery and healing .
Love and prayers to all who are reading this. Please share far and wide to whatever groups, churches, services, businesses, organizations, charities, colleagues or others that you feel may be able to help.
Our hearts are broken as we mourn the passing of our beloved Terry. She passed away peacefully July 11, 2018 . We would like to thank everyone for all of your support during this very difficult journey.
Update - December 28, 2017.
Finally received biopsy results. It is a brain tumour and it is cancer . Not the worse kind mind you . It is not curable but somewhat treatable with radiation and chemo . Radiation is key and intense and will be everyday at the general campus , 5 days a week for 6 weeks... ouff . Chemo will be fine and done orally at home and will support/ enhance radiation . Boys are aware . This is our bubble and journey we are in . Making calls everyday with insurance and red tape is never ending . Just don’t understand that we have to continually call, ask and follow up with services that we qualify for. Why can’t they just make them happen . Letters, forms then hurry up and wait etc ... if you everyone in these services would talk and just come through and do what they say they would do, that would minimize the calls and follow up . We are drained overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done but we love each other and we are hopeful, optimistic and determined. We’re working hard at home for no drama, normalcy and sense of humour . Yes it’s a struggle for all of us just taking care of me cause I can’t do it for myself . So we make fun of my gimpyness and laugh. This is what we’ve been given and it’s ok ... could be worse . But we are not worse.
Thank you to those that have reached out and supported us in so many ways . We love you - you have no idea . By your sharing our story we’ve had complete strangers support us . That’s incredible.
The story
A few months ago, at the age of 55, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Because of its location, surgery is not an option , so chemo, radiation are the current plan.
I am married to my love Ivano for 20 years and we have two teenage boys, Anthony, 18 and Jack, 15. We live in Barrhaven, a suburb of Ottawa and really need help.
Ivano has been employed with the Westin hotel in Ottawa for the last 28 years and I am the Director of Congress with the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences planning Canada’s largest academic conference at a different Canadian university each year. In 2017 we had over 10,000 attendees.
Mobility has quickly decreased in last few weeks and I need constant help to bathe, dress and getting to the washroom. I can no longer continue to get up stairs to my bed and shower. So I’m now staying upstairs and living in the master bedroom. I have no function on the left side of my body ... similar to a stroke . With no home care or help on the horizon this is incredibly stressful for my husband as he is being all things for me and the family with no day to day relief. My constant care and worry are quickly becoming overwhelming for my family.
It is now apparent that we need a proper stair lift . Because our stairs are curved the cost is at least $10,000 to $15,000. My treatments and other appointments are starting this week and I have no way to get to them as I can no longer navigate the stairs. There are patient transfer services but at $350 a day that is not not covered by insurance to get me to and from each appointment several times a week is not a sustainable option . I need to get measured for a custom foot brace to help with my mobility but I can’t get there to be measured.
Setting up a bed on the main level is also not an option as I cannot access a washroom or shower.
We may also need to modify our bathroom so I can I walk In or roll in . We have a bench at the moment but we expect it to become more challenging once treatments start. My husband simply cannot keep lifting me out. Too dangerous and stressful for all.
Funds are needed for these items to be installed and hire some basic home help as soon as possible so our quality of life and focus on treatments become the main objective and not a burden because we are overwhelmed.
We have to get to these appointments.
Savings are being used to cover loss wages.
As an event planner making arrangements is what I do. However trying to make calls, look for grants and subsidies is a full time job and is difficult for me to sustain day in and out in making calls, research or applications. It’s just not good for my recovery and healing .
Love and prayers to all who are reading this. Please share far and wide to whatever groups, churches, services, businesses, organizations, charities, colleagues or others that you feel may be able to help.
Organizer
Terry D'Angelo
Organizer
Nepean, ON
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