A Blessed Farewell For Deborah Renee Walker

I'm sorry to announce the passing of my mother Deborah Renee Walker. Like everyone, myself & our family was shocked at the different series of events which started July 17, 2021 when she was initially diagnosed with cancer to her sudden passing on August 17, 2021. 

It still feels unreal in many ways. 

On July 2nd, 2021, me & my mother noticed her legs began to swell up. For several years she has had mobility issues including water retention with her legs so we believed it was something related so we proceeded with different previous treatments such as wrapping her legs as well as soaking her legs in water with Epson Salt, water with Pink Himalayan Salt and Apple Cider Vinegar water at different times. We also realized she missed several doses of her blood pressure medication so we corrected that hoping that would help the swelling but it didn't. Our last guess of what could have caused the swelling was a new vacuum powder I started using within her home could have gave her an allergic reaction but after stopping use and several doses of Benadryl, the swelling still remained.

Starting the week of July 12th we made it a priority to get to her Primary Care Physician but because of her fatigue and/or exhaustion, we couldn't make it to the doctor's office during normal business hours.

Finally on July 16th, I told her we have to make it to the emergency room regardless of the time to find out exactly what is the cause of her swelling & start whatever recommended treatment. 

We arrived at Mount Sinai Queens at 1am on the morning of July 17th. After getting her some tea, an early breakfast, and settled in the hospital I left her about 4am. About 11am I woke up to her & her doctor informing me of her diagnosis of cancer.

The full diagnosis was still pending as the MRI detected cancer on her adrenal glands & her liver which the doctors described as a rarity. There was also signs of cancer on one of her lungs and realized the tumor around her adrenal glands was causing pressure on one of her arteries which was the cause of the swelling in her legs. She was then transferred to Mount Sinai Manhattan to await her full diagnosis via biopsies.

As we mentally & spiritually prepared ourselves for the fight against cancer, we had beautiful times & laughs including a hospital room which overlooked Central Park East and a beautiful sight to enjoy sunsets together. 

On August 12th, we had a meeting with her medical team to review the results of her biopsies. They concluded that the form of cancer she had was extremely rare; out of all the cancer cases in the world, they encountered this specific cancer less than 5% of the time to the point they had little to no research on it. What research they did have showed none of their treatments proved effective against this type of cancer. The biopsies also confirmed that her adrenal glands, liver, lung and lymph nodes were affected but because of the rarity, they were also unable to determine where the cancer originated from. Due to the extent of organs which was affected, they categorized her cancer at stage 4.

They were planning to do a 3rd biopsy to check her qualifications for immunotherapy but because of the stage where the cancer was, if she was an eligible candidate they estimated a very small success rate.

After the full diagnosis, me and her cried together then prayed together surrendering all fear, worry and doubt to God then we started to mentally & spiritually prepare for a bigger fight against cancer with our spirits still high. One of her doctors estimated at least a year without any hard symptoms but because of the rarity of the cancer, they couldn't stand behind any estimations they made.

She was transferred on July 13th to Riverside Rehab Healing Center to regain her normal mobility functions so she can return home and start eligible outpatient cancer treatments. We was also preparing to start an alkaline diet, CBD Treatments, and other holistic treatments which Godwilling would help her condition in any way with our highest hopes of curing her. 

We were planning on starting these treatments on Monday August 16th but on Sunday August 15th I received a call from The Riverside Rehab Center at 3am informing me she was on her way to Morningside Mount Sinai Hospital with her breathing erratic, blood pressure & sugar low. I arrived at the hospital soon after her to find a team of doctors and nurses working to stabilize my mom's disoriented state.

The doctors informed me her blood pressure & oxygen was slowly declining & they were doing everything possible to help. After an hour of different attempts of stabilization they were forced to render her unconscious & place a breathing tube.

At this point the doctors informed me they wasn't sure if she was going to survive her hospital stay. As I prayed every moment they was able to stabilize her but their assumptions of her mortality remained. I then began to contact family & friends to inform them of the events. 

Myself, my grandfather, my sister, and other family was able to see her Sunday. Although she had the breathing tube in, she was conscious & responsive to all of us with no signs of pain. She beat the doctors projections and lived past Sunday; the miracles continued and she lived past Monday. 

On the morning of Tuesday August 17th, after being resuscitated once her heart stopped at 10:33am. Myself & family saw her soon after & gave our blessings and goodbyes.

Family, friends and all have given their blessings, love and condolences every moment since she passed on & we are thankful beyond words.

Today we are launching a Gofundme and similar pages to accept donations to assist with the final cost of Deborah Renee Walker. 

On behalf of myself, my family & my mother;  we thank everyone for all your love, blessings & support.

My mother was my best friend & what she taught me more than anything is to have peace, love & understanding; always build your trust & faith in God to recieve it.

Thank you again & have a beautiful blessed day, 

Lorenzo Roland