Curtis & Danette Shoemaker- The Long Goodbye

Where do I begin…….

They say Alzheimer’s is the long goodbye. You watch your loved one slowly lose everything that made them unique, as you become strangers.

There are no words that are great enough to describe the impact that Curtis and Danette have had on this community and all those that knew them! I am asking for help for the both of them!!

Danette is a beautiful wife, Mom and friend. She was always there to lend a helping hand to those she loved.

In October of 2019, Danette was having trouble remembering things and was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. By the time the official diagnosis came in, she had already lost all of her short term memory. She was placed on medication that helped a lot and she continued to do and function okay for the next 3yrs.

In February of 2022 things began to change at a very rapid pace. Danette was unable to swallow food and was only able to take liquids. It was at this point that this ugly disease, Alzheimer’s started to really gain momentum and wreak havoc on her body. From February thru August she had lost from 173 lbs down to 89 lbs! She wasn’t eating, so in August of 2022, Curtis had to make the decision about the love of his life that no one ever wants to make. As hard as it was, he knew Danette wouldn’t want this and so he placed her on hospice. Curtis and her team of medical professionals decided to remove her from all medication. The one thing Curtis was very adamant about was keeping her at home close to him and in an environment she once knew and loved.

As you all know, keeping her at home comes at a very high price. Insurance only pays so much, and home care (a sitter) isn’t covered to the degree in which it is needed. Curtis continues to drive his bus routes with Central ISD and someone must stay with her while he is gone. Having a sitter also allows him time to do much needed things around the house to keep it running, take care of the yard, go buy groceries and just step away from time to time for a little breather. Watching your love fade away is hard on the heart and the mind. Danette continues to hang on but has gotten weaker in body and mind. Curtis has been there every step of the way, giving everything that he is and has.

Curtis would never ask anyone for anything, so I am asking for him. It cost $4000 per month for the sitter to come out to help. Again, insurance only pays so much and the rest falls on Curtis. Please if there is anything you can do to help ease the financial burden, I know he would be more than grateful!!

Danette is only 64 years old.