Elizabeth's Fight: Mom's Health & Financial Strain

Hello and thank you for clicking on my fundraiser story as to why I am requesting financial support. Firstly, asking anyone for support is difficult for me, as I have always taken care of myself and my loved ones. My name is Elizabeth and I am from New York.

The reason why I am here today is because my beautiful 90-year-old mom, who has always been a strong woman both physically and mentally, has recently been diagnosed with Esophagus Stage 2 cancer. She has a tumor in her esophagus and has had issues since before her birthday in October 2024 with swallowing food. My mom is a retired nurse, always a caregiver. I finally convinced her to go to a GI doctor. Long story short, they found out that her esophagus was closed and that is why she wasn’t able to get any food down. At this time, we still did not know she had cancer. This went on until the week of Thanksgiving when she had to be admitted to the hospital so that she could be fed intravenously.

During her stay at the hospital, they performed 4 balloon dilations to open her esophagus, the last one worked for a little bit, where she was able to have liquids. P.S. this all happened because she has a hiatal hernia and never had it taken care of because the doctors told her there was no need to. This caused her stomach to move behind her chest cavity and her acid reflux has basically caused complications with her esophagus. She finally had the surgery to pull down her stomach and place a feeding tube in her – again she is 90. As I was typing this, I was in her hospital room waiting for her to return from having another procedure which was placing the port in her chest, so that she could start her chemo and radiation treatments. Basically, she needs to gain weight and get strong enough to receive her treatments. Mom has had 2 endoscopies, 4 balloon dilations, 2 Scans, x-rays, pet scan, Surgery for her stomach and surgery for her port. She is 90 and has endured so much since October. She went from 123 to 103 lbs.

Why am I asking for Financial support you ask? Well unfortunately, my position was eliminated at the end of June 2024. Thankfully, I was told I would be able to collect unemployment, so I figured let me cash out the little bit of money I had in my retirement account. I had a plan, but you know what they say, We plan, and God laughs. I was hoping I would have enough money to last until the end of the year along with unemployment. However, unforeseen circumstances happened with our home that I did not account for as well as other things, so my money didn’t last long enough. My plan was to find employment by January, but that did not happen.

Well, prior to me finding out my mom had cancer, I started to send out my resume in the middle of November, as I was watching my infant great nephew, while his parents worked. I applied for about 30 jobs. I have not been able to find employment and I have 20+ years’ experience and a masters in my field. Thinking back, I understand now why I have been unable to find employment, mom has cancer, and I would be her care giver, taking her to appointments, feeding her via feeding tube etc. I would need to be there for her so, God already knew all this. Hence, not being able to find employment. Things happen for a reason.

Unfortunately, my unemployment benefits end and i get my last check this week 1-21-2025, and I was told I cannot get an extension. I have been hoping and praying for a financial miracle to help me pay my bills, my car note, car insurance, food etc. My monthly expenses are about $3500+ per month. I have been using credit cards to help me out as well. I have been fortunate because I have been able to borrow money here and there but now that unemployment is ending there is no way I can continue to pay my bills without a full-time job and I cannot get a full-time job because I have to take care of my mom during her treatments and recovery, so this is my dilemma. I cannot borrow from my mom as she is on a fixed income. Therefore, I am at the mercy of those of you who are reading this story.

My mom has always been the care giver, the compassionate one, the one to give you the shirt off her back; Always generous. Everyone loves her and is asking why her. I wish I could take this from her.

I moved back home with my parents in 2016 after my husband and I separated and haven’t left. Due to my separation/divorce I was in a financial bind, in great debt. On top of that my dad got sick not long after me moving back home and passed away on New Years Eve in 2019 right before the pandemic. God knows all things, for my dad was very sickly, in and out of the hospital. To God be all the glory.

I had been planning on moving out and actually in the works, but every time I planned on moving out something else happened that would keep me home with my mom and family. At this time, I will not be moving out, for my mom needs me and I cannot afford to, since I do not have employment. Again, God knows all things.

I am a strong believer in God and although I will never understand why this happened to my mom, I do know that GOD is sovereign and, on the throne, and merciful. HE knows all things and I trust HIM. He keeps me during this time, and I have much peace that comes from knowing Jesus and all He has done for me and my family.

I hope you find it in your heart to assist me, if you are able to. May the Lord give it back to you 100 times over. Your kindness, empathy and generosity are greatly appreciated, Along with your prayers for complete healing for my mom and a financial breakthrough for me, as I am in severe debt. I am so thankful I have a safe place to lay my head. God is good. God bless you.

Thank you,

Elizabeth