Support Deanna's Bounce Back
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I don't even know where to begin...
In late May 2016, I started a new job after over a year out of the legal job market. Within the first 2 weeks, I found out that my father, who never took an active role in my life, had passed away. No one tells you how to feel about the death of an absent parent. Before I could even process it, my rock, my Mom, was diagnosed with an aggressive type of leukemia less than 3 weeks later. Our lives would never be the same.
For the first 3 months, I commuted from Kansas City to Louisville when I could as my Mommy fought like hell (no FMLA since just started a new job). She eventually went into remission and it became time for her to be considered for a bone marrow transplant. She needed a full-time caregiver to even be considered for this. It wasn't an option for me, I quit my job and moved back. My Mommy sacrificed so much for me--there's no way I was going to let her fight this battle without me next to her. Her fighting spirit, grace, and laughter during her cancer journey inspired so many, including me.
My beautiful beloved Mommy gained her angel wings suddenly just about 11 months ago. I am grateful God chose her to be my Mommy and that we were so incredibly close. As hard as it was to see her go through so much, I'm glad I was there. I can't put into words how much I miss her. Family, friends, and her parish ( St. Agnes) made her funeral Mass and cremation possible.
These past 11 months have emotionally and physically drained me, but I'm still standing! In addition to my grief and depression, I've been pretty quiet about having fibromyalgia (diagnosed 2 years ago), which flares, among other things, from stress. There's been plenty of that. Without going into too much detail, let's just say without faith and my village of support, I don't know if I would've made it this far.
There's still joy in my life, which mainly comes from working with youth. It makes me feel so connected to my Mommy, who as a teacher, had a way with kids and a huge heart. I'm her legacy.
At times, I've worked 2-3 part-time jobs to just keep up with storage units and my cell phone bill. This wasn't how it was supposed to be and for awhile, I became paralyzed because I didn't even know where to start taking care of things. It's been hard trying to make career or geographic decisions when I can barely look a couple of weeks ahead.
Because of owing my last apartment company in Kansas City (used money to move back here-not proud of it but had to do what I had to do) and outstanding bills, I've been turned down from several apartments in Louisville. Low-income housing is either full or doesn't accept dogs and I can't even think about giving up Bentley. In some ways, I feel like he's all I got left.
In the last 2 years, I've moved 4 times. I'm so tired of physically moving, living out of boxes, or not knowing if something is in storage. I found a couple who own an apartment who are willing to look past my credit score. Now the issue is coming up with the security deposit and first month's rent, local uHaul rental, as well as the past due amount on my storage units here so I can get my stuff out and start my new life.
Asking for help is not easy for me. I am much more comfortable helping others, being the "fixer," and solving my own problems. But this is too big and too heavy for me to bear alone. It's impacted my health, including my spirit.
I am already grateful to the people who have lifted me up in one way or another over this last year. My Mommy's brave fight and your support keeps me going. Even if you cannot help me financially, I ask for your continued prayers.
Please also consider donating blood regularly and joining the bone marrow registry (they will send a free mouth swab kit): www.bethematch.org
Please know I will bounce back! Thanks for your continued support and prayers.
-Deanna
In late May 2016, I started a new job after over a year out of the legal job market. Within the first 2 weeks, I found out that my father, who never took an active role in my life, had passed away. No one tells you how to feel about the death of an absent parent. Before I could even process it, my rock, my Mom, was diagnosed with an aggressive type of leukemia less than 3 weeks later. Our lives would never be the same.
For the first 3 months, I commuted from Kansas City to Louisville when I could as my Mommy fought like hell (no FMLA since just started a new job). She eventually went into remission and it became time for her to be considered for a bone marrow transplant. She needed a full-time caregiver to even be considered for this. It wasn't an option for me, I quit my job and moved back. My Mommy sacrificed so much for me--there's no way I was going to let her fight this battle without me next to her. Her fighting spirit, grace, and laughter during her cancer journey inspired so many, including me.
My beautiful beloved Mommy gained her angel wings suddenly just about 11 months ago. I am grateful God chose her to be my Mommy and that we were so incredibly close. As hard as it was to see her go through so much, I'm glad I was there. I can't put into words how much I miss her. Family, friends, and her parish ( St. Agnes) made her funeral Mass and cremation possible.
These past 11 months have emotionally and physically drained me, but I'm still standing! In addition to my grief and depression, I've been pretty quiet about having fibromyalgia (diagnosed 2 years ago), which flares, among other things, from stress. There's been plenty of that. Without going into too much detail, let's just say without faith and my village of support, I don't know if I would've made it this far.
There's still joy in my life, which mainly comes from working with youth. It makes me feel so connected to my Mommy, who as a teacher, had a way with kids and a huge heart. I'm her legacy.
At times, I've worked 2-3 part-time jobs to just keep up with storage units and my cell phone bill. This wasn't how it was supposed to be and for awhile, I became paralyzed because I didn't even know where to start taking care of things. It's been hard trying to make career or geographic decisions when I can barely look a couple of weeks ahead.
Because of owing my last apartment company in Kansas City (used money to move back here-not proud of it but had to do what I had to do) and outstanding bills, I've been turned down from several apartments in Louisville. Low-income housing is either full or doesn't accept dogs and I can't even think about giving up Bentley. In some ways, I feel like he's all I got left.
In the last 2 years, I've moved 4 times. I'm so tired of physically moving, living out of boxes, or not knowing if something is in storage. I found a couple who own an apartment who are willing to look past my credit score. Now the issue is coming up with the security deposit and first month's rent, local uHaul rental, as well as the past due amount on my storage units here so I can get my stuff out and start my new life.
Asking for help is not easy for me. I am much more comfortable helping others, being the "fixer," and solving my own problems. But this is too big and too heavy for me to bear alone. It's impacted my health, including my spirit.
I am already grateful to the people who have lifted me up in one way or another over this last year. My Mommy's brave fight and your support keeps me going. Even if you cannot help me financially, I ask for your continued prayers.
Please also consider donating blood regularly and joining the bone marrow registry (they will send a free mouth swab kit): www.bethematch.org
Please know I will bounce back! Thanks for your continued support and prayers.
-Deanna
Organizer
Deanna Atchley
Organizer
Louisville, KY
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