In May of 2013, Tom had major back surgery. When he first returned home, he was able to walk with a cane, By the end of the first year, he needed a walker, by the end of the second year, a wheelchair, and  then immobile, needing round the clock care., a Hoyer lift and a power chair. He survived Stage 4 Non Hodgkins Lymphoma over 20 years ago.  At first we thought he had nerve damage from the surgery. Then we thought the paralysis which began to form was from the chemo. Doctors even stated this. This last year, Tom entered the hospital on January 1, 2016, with pneumonia. He was placed in a medically induced coma and transferred at the end of January to Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest. He required intubation in order to breathe and survive. He eventually needed a trachiotomy.  There the neurosurgeon  finally diagnosed  ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).  

In March 2016, Tom was transferred to Allied Skilled Nursing Facility in Scranton, PA.

This past year has been a blur of hospitalizations and the rehab center, while Tom has not been able to return home. His condition has now progressed (very aggressive form of ALS) to the point where the only thing keeping him alive is the ventilator. Except for a few fingers in his right hand, he is completely paralyzed. 



I have been trying to meet all our financial obligations on my own, but I am also on SS Disability, being a cancer survivor myself.  Tom was unable to obtain life insurance because he was a cancer survivor.  The  medical bills have been mounting, and I have not been able to meet them. NOW,  Tom's demise is drawing near, and  I have no funds to bury him.  It is just a matter of time, which is getting shorter with each passing minute. I received a call just today saying Tom has declined once again... his color is not good and he's running a fever.... unable to swallow... needs a feeding tube again.... 

Tom is the love of my life, married 29 years this past August, and I've been struggling with just the thought of losing him, crying every day, crying myself to sleep, WHEN I can fall asleep. Now, I'm faced with the tremendous financial  burden of funeral expenses coming, which I absolutely cannot cover. 

Last year my daughter in law began a GoFundMe campaign, to which a few people contributed.  I want to thank the people who helped. 

I hate asking anyone for help (ask my neighbors), especially for money. But, I'm scared and I just don't know what to do. 

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Please share with anyone you think MAY be able to help. You never know who might be able to give. Any amount will help. Thank you and God bless.