Lori Antone Family Fund
Donation protected
Lori Antone considered herself blessed beyond belief. Happily married to her wonderful husband Corey, together their dreams came true in May of 2012 when they adopted their beloved daughter Amelia at birth. For over two years they had an amazing life filled with happiness and joy. These are people that were so very content with just being together that they were inspiring to others. Both Lori and Corey have an amazing and quirky sense of humor that make being around them fun and a pleasure. They have both worked hard and strived to achieve everything they have in life, and they always felt pride in each other and a genuine humility for what God blessed them with.
Then in late November 2014, Lori unexpectedly began experiencing extreme shortness of breath and chest pains. She first chalked it up to Asthma symptoms, but it quickly got worse. She was rushed to Bolingbrook Hospital when one night her lips began turning blue and her breathing was labored. She went through days of painful tests, lung drainage, biopsies, and almost no sleep.
On Thanksgiving night, the doctor delivered the diagnosis. Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, Metastasized to Lungs and Liver. No cure. Average lifespan with extensive chemotherapy, radiation and transfusions is unknown, but generally placed at 6-12 months. She was only 44 years old at the time. The average age that this disease targets is 71 years old and doctors were amazed and confused. There is very little research completed or treatment plans set for a disease that a 44 year old is not supposed to have, so from day one everyone from Oncologists, Radiologists, Pulmonologists, and support staff were flying blind and trying to come up with a long term plan. Choices were slim, and there was no time to waste.
Lori decided to fight the fight, no matter the odds, and began aggressive chemo immediately after spending over a week in the hospital. She decided against second and third opinions that would only delay treatment and set her further back. She also put herself on waiting lists for trials should she be lucky enough to qualify for one. She wasn't hoping for a miracle, just a chance to fight.
Her only goal was to have as much time with her husband and daughter as she could possibly get. She is many times horribly fatigued and in pain, but she keeps a smile on her face and vows to meet this disease with dignity and strength, especially for her daughter's sake. Many days the pain keeps her in bed, but she has been able to get out a few times thanks to portable oxygen, a donated wheelchair and her never give up attitude. She is grateful for the good days and tolerates the bad ones. But no matter what, good or bad, she feels so blessed and thankful to be here another day.
She was hospitalized again for a week in mid January of 2015 with blood clots in her lungs. She fought that battle fiercely with aggressive radiation in conjunction with the chemo and was able to leave the hospital in enough time to celebrate her 45th birthday at home with family. Watching baby Amelia sing 'Happy Birthday' and help blow out candles was the exact thing that made her fight so hard to make it home. Since then, she has had ups and downs, has felt both strength and frustration and always wonders what the future will bring without focusing on the negative. We are awed constantly by her strength and poise through all of this.
Despite hundreds of offers of financial help from family, friends, former co-workers and even acquaintances, Lori and Corey tried desperately to go it alone as long as they could. They spent their lives being givers, and didn't feel comfortable with having to ask for help. This is the only area where Lori has admitted to breaking down at. It devastates her to feel ashamed at needing instead of giving. It's a struggle to accept things from people when she wants to so much handle things as a family.
However, Lori came to two conclusions about this. First, when it came to Amelia and her well being, she would set aside her selfish struggles with shame and make sure that her daughter is provided for above all else. You don't have the luxury of putting yourself first when you are a parent. Second, Lori had a hard realization that she must have done something good in her life to have so many people reach out to help and support her. This was heart-wrenching in a good way, and after a long time contemplating and crying she realized that she had no right to turn down the kind offers and contributions that these amazing people were making in support of her and her family. She has told us often how blessed she feels and says prayers of thanks every single day.
So, as you can imagine, medical costs are very soon going to surpass what the family can afford. Even with insurance, the medical bills are enormous and continue to roll in daily. Also, and maybe even more important, the family had to find urgent, full-time, permanent child care for baby Amelia. Lori has been thrilled to be Amelia's primary care giver up to now, but her illness prevents her from being able to care for her on a daily basis. The family simply doesn't know where they are going to find the extra funds to make this necessity continue, and it is an extreme weight on Lori's mind, during a time where stress can be a killer for her. She lives for that baby and wants her in a positive environment and not having to see her sick mommy struggle all day long.
Corey found a wonderful day care that specializes in early childhood education. For those of you that know Amelia, she is a bright and clever little girl whose skills far surpass her two and a half years. A place like this offers her the challenges she needs in a warm and comfortable environment. The Antones then get to spend happy and productive evenings together as a family when the work and school day is done. So far, Lori is doing an incredible and admirable job of seeing to her own needs so that more funds don't have to be directed at a caretaker. It's hard, but as anyone who knows her can attest, she relishes the opportunity to do things for herself.
On behalf of the Antone family, we are reaching out to ask for your help. We are desperately trying to financially assist this loving family while also giving Lori the peace of mind that she deserves in this unbelievably trying time. Any amount, any donation, anything you can give is so very much appreciated. Even the smallest act of kindness can have a profound effect. Even sharing their story with friends and social media can make a big difference. We thank you for reading their story and thank you for any support that you can offer.
Warmest Regards,
Dana Scott-Turkovich
and
Gail Scott
(On behalf of the friends of Lori Antone & with cooperation of Corey Antone)
Then in late November 2014, Lori unexpectedly began experiencing extreme shortness of breath and chest pains. She first chalked it up to Asthma symptoms, but it quickly got worse. She was rushed to Bolingbrook Hospital when one night her lips began turning blue and her breathing was labored. She went through days of painful tests, lung drainage, biopsies, and almost no sleep.
On Thanksgiving night, the doctor delivered the diagnosis. Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, Metastasized to Lungs and Liver. No cure. Average lifespan with extensive chemotherapy, radiation and transfusions is unknown, but generally placed at 6-12 months. She was only 44 years old at the time. The average age that this disease targets is 71 years old and doctors were amazed and confused. There is very little research completed or treatment plans set for a disease that a 44 year old is not supposed to have, so from day one everyone from Oncologists, Radiologists, Pulmonologists, and support staff were flying blind and trying to come up with a long term plan. Choices were slim, and there was no time to waste.
Lori decided to fight the fight, no matter the odds, and began aggressive chemo immediately after spending over a week in the hospital. She decided against second and third opinions that would only delay treatment and set her further back. She also put herself on waiting lists for trials should she be lucky enough to qualify for one. She wasn't hoping for a miracle, just a chance to fight.
Her only goal was to have as much time with her husband and daughter as she could possibly get. She is many times horribly fatigued and in pain, but she keeps a smile on her face and vows to meet this disease with dignity and strength, especially for her daughter's sake. Many days the pain keeps her in bed, but she has been able to get out a few times thanks to portable oxygen, a donated wheelchair and her never give up attitude. She is grateful for the good days and tolerates the bad ones. But no matter what, good or bad, she feels so blessed and thankful to be here another day.
She was hospitalized again for a week in mid January of 2015 with blood clots in her lungs. She fought that battle fiercely with aggressive radiation in conjunction with the chemo and was able to leave the hospital in enough time to celebrate her 45th birthday at home with family. Watching baby Amelia sing 'Happy Birthday' and help blow out candles was the exact thing that made her fight so hard to make it home. Since then, she has had ups and downs, has felt both strength and frustration and always wonders what the future will bring without focusing on the negative. We are awed constantly by her strength and poise through all of this.
Despite hundreds of offers of financial help from family, friends, former co-workers and even acquaintances, Lori and Corey tried desperately to go it alone as long as they could. They spent their lives being givers, and didn't feel comfortable with having to ask for help. This is the only area where Lori has admitted to breaking down at. It devastates her to feel ashamed at needing instead of giving. It's a struggle to accept things from people when she wants to so much handle things as a family.
However, Lori came to two conclusions about this. First, when it came to Amelia and her well being, she would set aside her selfish struggles with shame and make sure that her daughter is provided for above all else. You don't have the luxury of putting yourself first when you are a parent. Second, Lori had a hard realization that she must have done something good in her life to have so many people reach out to help and support her. This was heart-wrenching in a good way, and after a long time contemplating and crying she realized that she had no right to turn down the kind offers and contributions that these amazing people were making in support of her and her family. She has told us often how blessed she feels and says prayers of thanks every single day.
So, as you can imagine, medical costs are very soon going to surpass what the family can afford. Even with insurance, the medical bills are enormous and continue to roll in daily. Also, and maybe even more important, the family had to find urgent, full-time, permanent child care for baby Amelia. Lori has been thrilled to be Amelia's primary care giver up to now, but her illness prevents her from being able to care for her on a daily basis. The family simply doesn't know where they are going to find the extra funds to make this necessity continue, and it is an extreme weight on Lori's mind, during a time where stress can be a killer for her. She lives for that baby and wants her in a positive environment and not having to see her sick mommy struggle all day long.
Corey found a wonderful day care that specializes in early childhood education. For those of you that know Amelia, she is a bright and clever little girl whose skills far surpass her two and a half years. A place like this offers her the challenges she needs in a warm and comfortable environment. The Antones then get to spend happy and productive evenings together as a family when the work and school day is done. So far, Lori is doing an incredible and admirable job of seeing to her own needs so that more funds don't have to be directed at a caretaker. It's hard, but as anyone who knows her can attest, she relishes the opportunity to do things for herself.
On behalf of the Antone family, we are reaching out to ask for your help. We are desperately trying to financially assist this loving family while also giving Lori the peace of mind that she deserves in this unbelievably trying time. Any amount, any donation, anything you can give is so very much appreciated. Even the smallest act of kindness can have a profound effect. Even sharing their story with friends and social media can make a big difference. We thank you for reading their story and thank you for any support that you can offer.
Warmest Regards,
Dana Scott-Turkovich
and
Gail Scott
(On behalf of the friends of Lori Antone & with cooperation of Corey Antone)
Organizer
Corey Antone
Organizer
Woodridge, IL
