KarenInNJ-CurrentlyCaringForMom-BrokeMyArm

Hello Beautiful Friends,
[[My Dears, Sorry. Just a technical update, to prevent confusion: The $3230 went toward my move in 2016-2017. That part of the campaign about my journey is over, and there are no remaining funds from that beautiful, collective donation -- which made all the difference in the world, thanks to your kindness. Love always, Karen xo]]
It's post-Easter, now, 2019. How are you doing, darlings? Thanks for your continued interest in my adventure, since first semi-retiring from beloved music biz in L.A., in order to care for Daddy with Alzheimer's, beginning Spring 2015, in south Jersey. As you know, Daddy had a peaceful transition in October of 2016, at which time I stayed on to care for Mother. (Y'all were so kind, helping me with the cross-country move. What a difference you made with your kindness.) That's Mom in the photo with me, just this Easter 2019. We've been getting along well. For me, it's all about the new world of fixed income and Medicare (well, surely not "ALL about;" it's just that I'm slowly getting used to the relatively new lifestyle), but I'm so grateful; it works well for me. I haven't yet invested in a secondary health insurance plan (just Medicare for the moment), as I sort out the budget of my "new chapter" on this now-senior journey -- but that vital policy now becomes the very next goal, suddenly, and for sure!... You see, I'm sorry to share that I had a fall at the end of March which broke my arm in a couple of places -- unfortunately a bit complicated to heal, since a bone shattered requiring surgery. Stitches came out yesterday, and I look forward to PT starting end of April. I'm so thankful for a great healing team, since it will be a long-ish recovery period. So... in recent weeks, I had to put off planning my next brief trip to L.A. (this June), because I had to use the airfare & hostel budget for surgery-center fees and related expenses not covered by Medicare. I am acutely aware, and sensitive to the fact that so many people on the gofundme page have worse circumstances, and I don't want to ask anyone to help who just can't do it, or who must choose not to do it, for whatever reason. Please know that. Please know, also, that I thank you always for the gift of so many loyal friends, and for such beautiful wishes for my recovery on Facebook these past weeks. I'm blessed, and I know it. As to my approximate-five-day trip... it will involve seeing family during a singular month that includes a "special-number" birthday of my son (whose own illness -- I'm so happy to say --  has improved, right now,  appreciably), PLUS the birthdays of BOTH gorgeous grandchildren, as well as a regularly scheduled blood-test and check-in with my Addison's disease specialist in L.A. (My Addison's is under control, and not a problem at all right now; just have to keep it in check, all my life.) If you happen to have the ability to help out, beyond your own very important needs... well, I can't even express how much I appreciate it. Importantly, I want to return to my own mode of helping friends where and when I can, once I'm out of this situation. [I do believe in this gofundme system and try to keep abreast regularly, to see about friends' postings.] I send my sincere wishes for your health and happiness.
I love you, with endless, humble gratitude, Karen xo
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(This is from end of 2016, after Daddy had passed in October.)
Dear Beautiful Friends,
I wasn't expecting to write to you again about my move. As you know Dad was with us through his 94th year, and we are missing him everyday. I am back in NJ, helping Mom, now. And I thought I had my move completed. But it looks like I'll need to go to California for a few days in early December to re-distribute a few boxes that are overweight for cost effective UPS delivery. I am sorry to reach out again, and I hope you understand. Soon, this move will be in the rear view mirror, but it looks like it will be an issue for another few weeks. Once I take care of the boxes, it's all done. God bless you for caring, for your generosity and kindness. And, please remember that I want to help you whenever you may need me.
Love, Karen xo
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Thank you, oh dearest, kindest, most loving friends. We reached the goal, thanks to your generosity. It is a sad time right now, but I know that all of you understand this, and so many of you have the same experience. Bless you. I will stay in touch with you, and I want to pitch in, to help you when you need it. Love always, Karen aka KJ
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Dear Loved Ones & All Wonderful Friends,

As we celebrate Dad's 94th Birthday this week, I'm back with an update for y'all.

Thank you for all your support and kind words regarding my father, my family, and my move, from west coast to east. I'm happy to share that Dad enjoyed his birthday party on Saturday, August 6. Highlights for him were a houseful of family, a barbecue, singing cards, a new blanket and many gifts and calls. He played harmonica -- and within the past week, he even played piano (it's been awhile)! Today, for lunch, and dinner, we're still enjoying Birthday desserts of chocolate strawberry shortcake and decadent blueberry pie -- Shh!

It's been 15 months since I began the move, from Los Angeles to South Jersey, permanently caring for Dad, full time, and learning enough for a fulfilling academic course in the disease of Alzheimer's/ dementia. My mother is active as ever, and we take it a good day at a time, together. I'm Jersey-born (Jersey doesn't leave your blood), so it's ok by me to complete the big move.

Because of all of you, I was able to fund the first half of my move, successfully, in January-February. My family members are available now, to stand in, for my round-the-clock shifts with Dad, during October. I'll need about 10 days back in L.A., to resolve my housing issues, to store furniture and boxes, to complete the packing, cleaning of my apartment, to hire the mini moving van, plus travel, ground transport and various ends to tie.

Kelly, my beloved cat of 10 years, has been adopted by a wonderfully caring and supportive family in Van Nuys. Many of you have asked how that's going. Sure, I miss him a lot, but it wouldn't be a good match, with an affectionate cat taking hold, in the home of my Dad who needs his space to be free of dandruff, litter and potentially playful claws. So, we do the right thing, and I'm so grateful that it was a friendly, smooth transition.

The budget estimates I outlined last Winter prove to be accurate, which is a nice turn of events -- no thorns poking my plans. The cost of the whole move is about $4700, of which I raised (and utilized), $2268, for the first half. If you can help support this second half -- the final push -- I'll need to raise about $2432, for the October travel, moving and storing expenses. Any amounts are enormously helpful; it really adds up.

I am not in dire straits, nor is my family. But I'm on a limited, fixed income, during this time of caring, full time, for Dad. And every family member is onboard with individual, solid commitments to this, our most important family task, the care of our father, who is now completely dependent. My move is an expense, on top of everything else, that isn't covered. And I can't spend time working, right now. That's why I reach out.

It's not completely natural to do this kind of fundraising, I must say (and I imagine you know). One finds it easier to raise funds for others, no doubt. I was a little uneasy, at first, and it's probably my experience doing business as a freelancer that actually gives me the nerve to do this. The bottom line -- I am simply reminded that y'all are true-blue, very real, friends. That makes everything calm and pleasant. So, I have no regrets in the endeavor. However, it is enormously important that I must be available to do these same kindnesses for you, in every way possible. And I hope you will call upon me, at any time. Please.

This GoFundMe apparatus is a blessing, isn't it? I hope you can use it, too, if the need arises. In the meantime, please know you knock me out; your care means everything to me. Thank you from the depths of my heart and soul.

Updates to come! Love, Karen "KJ" Johnson xo
www.facebook.com/karenjohnsonkjpr


(ABOVE is the up-to-date situation. BELOW is the first post I made for this campaign, FYI. There have been several updates, in between, which you can find on this site. And I'll do more updates, frequently. xo)




Dear Friends and Loved Ones,
With an incredibly grateful and humble spirit that this community outlet exists, I write to let you know of my challenge to make a permanent move from Los Angeles to South Jersey, to continue the fulltime care of my Dad (93, with dementia/Alzheimer's) and my Mom (who can't do it all herself). The best thing is that my parents are together, in their own home. But, unless one of their children can live full-time with them, it won't be possible for them to stay.  We will never let them lose the comfort of their home. I am the oldest, "unattached," and, most importantly, for whatever reason, completely designed, available, willing, and wanting to do this. For many months, I've been staying with them, while keeping the apartment, and my beloved cat, Kelly, in L.A.  But, it's time to close down the west coast digs, and their hollow expense, and re-locate to New Jersey. We are blessed, my parents and I, with fixed incomes, a loving family, excellent medical care and loyal, part time home health aides.  My lord, it takes that, and so much more, as I know I don't have to explain.  What we can't absorb is my move, so this is a real emergency. I'll need to take two or three weeks, and the expenses will include airfare, ground transport, car rental, vet's expense for the cat, cat transport, auto repair, moving supplies, moving personnel, cleaning service, and everything else that goes with a west coast to east coast move.  Bless you for your consideration, and I can't thank you enough for the kind thoughts and gestures you always show.  Love, "KJ" (Karen Johnson)
www.facebook.com/karenjohnsonkjpr