Sue's Medical Fund

My mother, Suanne Fulton, has been battling cancer since initially being diagnosed with advanced melanoma in March 2015. After the original melanoma was surgically removed in April 2015, she was in remission until April 2016 when she was rediagnosed with an even more aggressive melanoma. Since then, my mom has been a resilient soldier in the face of numerous treatments, side effects, and complications, all while continuing to work as an RN at Waterbury Hospital and refusing help from loved ones until she absolutely couldn't. This speaks volumes to the amount of passion she has for her job. In her 38 years at Waterbury Hospital, she has helped hundreds of patients deal with pain and disease in nearly every department the hospital has to offer (and most recently the GI unit). Sue would always be there for her patients with the utmost compassion and kindness, something that made those formerly in her care stop her in public just to thank her again for her service. Being unable to return to work has been one of the hardest parts of this ordeal for my mom because it was never just a job to her. It was her calling, and something that made her truly happy to do every day.

After serious side effects left her in critical condition in the hospital in late August, she had to be removed from her treatments and her prognosis worsened. Nevertheless, strong-willed and stubborn as ever, she made a miraculous recovery from the brink of death and recouped in the hospital, the rehab center, and now our home. However, her oncologist has given her no further options than hospice, and she has begun this hospice care at home. My dad, Gary Fulton, has taken on the role of her primary caregiver, providing her with 24-hour support as well as managing the daily needs of our household. After a relationship that has spanned 45 years (and a marriage of 35 years), I know that this is the hardest on him, yet he works tirelessly in order to make my mom comfortable and always maintains an optimistic outlook on her prognosis. He celebrates each of her daily successes, big and small, and never makes her feel bad on an off day. Their love has taught me the true meaning of “in sickness and in health” and unconditional love, one that can withstand even the worst of situations.

She has been so strong for us throughout this process, and we cannot give up on her without a fight. My dad has researched hospitals nonstop in order to find the best melanoma clinics that can give us hope to treat her in order to save his soulmate and my mom. At this time, we are seeking a second opinion at NY-Presbyterian/Columbia to explore further treatment options unavailable to us at her previous hospital, and aim to find an oncologist willing to fight for her with us. If there is a treatment with a good possibility of saving her life, there is no doubt that we are going to take her out of hospice to pursue it.

This is where we need your help. The medical bills have already piled up high, and will only further accumulate as we pursue the final battle with Sue. We are starting this fund to take any and all donations to go towards saving my mom, so we can go to all lengths possible with consideration to her quality of life. If you would still like to help, but cannot contribute monetarily, we desperately need help with various services (cleaning the house, cooked meals, and other odd jobs). Most anything you can offer is really a huge help at this difficult time.

This has been the most challenging and heartbreaking period for myself and my dad. It would truly be a miracle if we could help my mom beat this cancer so she can enjoy the rest of the life she deserves, experiencing all that the world has to offer with her loving husband and continuing to watch me, her only child, grow up. Thank you so much for your help and support through this fundraising effort.