Memorial and funeral cost
Donation protected
Nicole Siedschlag was physically and slightly mentally challenged for her entire life. Her first 21 years of life she lived normally and very happily. Nicole was never capable of working , cooking, or caring for her own personal hygiene properly. Her mother (Cathy Mandel) cared for her just as you would a toddler for her entire life. At age 22 high blood pressure turned into kidney failure. This of course meant it would be necessary to receive hemodialysis multiple times per week until her kidney could be transplanted. (5 1/2 year wait )
Cathy had to quit her full-time job as a bank teller to further facilitate the growing medical needs. Thankfully there was a tax funded program (thank you access) which minimally compensated her for the medical support services she provided to Nicole. Due to the kidney failure and side effects from the hemodialysis Nicole consistently struggled with fluid retention on her lungs which involved multiple hospitalizations (3 to 4 per year, 10 days per visit) over the 5 1/2 years of waiting for a donor kidney. The doctors could never explain the reason for the fluid retention but always considered it to be pneumonia. She was always assured the new kidney would be the solution to the retention of fluid on her lungs.
In November, 2016 Nicole received a new kidney. Unfortunately, the transplant did not resolve the fluid retention issues. December 5, 2017 She was admitted for pneumonia for the 3rd time since her transplant. This time her lung completely collapsed, she was not able to breathe on her own. Through all of her hospital stays, Nicole was never left alone. Her mother spent 12 to 14 hours, many times 24 hours, per day and the remainder of time was divided among immediate family. No parent ever considers having to bury their child at 29 years old. Cathy does not have the means to provide a proper burial and memorial service. Every dollar collected will be applied directly to Funeral and memorial services. Any leftover funds will be donated to the Tinley Park district with the hopes of having a tree planted in her honor.
Cathy had to quit her full-time job as a bank teller to further facilitate the growing medical needs. Thankfully there was a tax funded program (thank you access) which minimally compensated her for the medical support services she provided to Nicole. Due to the kidney failure and side effects from the hemodialysis Nicole consistently struggled with fluid retention on her lungs which involved multiple hospitalizations (3 to 4 per year, 10 days per visit) over the 5 1/2 years of waiting for a donor kidney. The doctors could never explain the reason for the fluid retention but always considered it to be pneumonia. She was always assured the new kidney would be the solution to the retention of fluid on her lungs.
In November, 2016 Nicole received a new kidney. Unfortunately, the transplant did not resolve the fluid retention issues. December 5, 2017 She was admitted for pneumonia for the 3rd time since her transplant. This time her lung completely collapsed, she was not able to breathe on her own. Through all of her hospital stays, Nicole was never left alone. Her mother spent 12 to 14 hours, many times 24 hours, per day and the remainder of time was divided among immediate family. No parent ever considers having to bury their child at 29 years old. Cathy does not have the means to provide a proper burial and memorial service. Every dollar collected will be applied directly to Funeral and memorial services. Any leftover funds will be donated to the Tinley Park district with the hopes of having a tree planted in her honor.
Organizer and beneficiary
Steve Terrile
Organizer
Tinley Park, IL
cathy mandel
Beneficiary
