In Loving Memory of Taylor Russell
It is with heavy and broken hearts that we have created this Go Fund Me in memory of our fearless fighter, Taylor Jo Russell. This Go Fund Me page has the purpose of helping with funeral costs, residual medical bills, grief counseling, and the assistance of Emarie’s great life ahead of her. We truly do not have the words to fully express our immense gratitude towards you and your consideration to help our grieving family. May God bless you.
Writing Taylor’s story in a past tense voice was something that no one in our family was prepared for. There was once a time in the midst of everything when her body shut down. We praised every independent breath. We leaped with glee at the sight of responsive blinks. We were overjoyed at her first smile in months. Now, we are confident that she is smiling down on us every day.
Taylor Jo Russell, our destined fighter with determination coursing through her veins ever since the day she took her first breath 27 years ago, battled her final front with her head held high on August 10th. Her battlefield was forever tainted with the poison of seemingly countless health conditions that jeopardized every surgery, treatment journey, and overall recovery. When she was just 17, her life was altered indefinitely when she was diagnosed with Lupus, unfortunately, her struggles only just began. Every single thing that could go wrong, went wrong.
Additional chronic diseases marched just behind Lupus, including, but not limited to, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus Nephritis (kidney disease), Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto Disease (Thyroid disease), and Avascular Necrosis (death of bone tissue). At 23, she was struck down once again by a massive stroke which required a decently sized portion of her skull to be removed from her head, allowing her brain to swell. Throughout that time, she was put under an induced coma because her brain wouldn’t stop swelling for a while. She was unable to speak, walk, and even breathe. For 454 days (a whole year and three excruciatingly tedious months) it was necessary for her to stay either at the hospital or rehabilitation.
Three years to the day of Taylor’s stroke, she was forced to have her leg amputated below the knee due to complications of one of her many, many surgeries. Thousands were spent on a prosthetic that was used in hopes that she could walk once again on her own. In hopes that she could care for herself. In hopes that she could live a life she was so ready to earn. We were so ready for her to live.
Taylor left us the most precious gift that we could ever ask for. The gift of her beautiful baby girl, Emarie. Emaire was born three months premature weighing only 1 pound 15 ounces. She spent three months in the NICU with Taylor by her side every day and night. Emarie fought just as hard as her mama. Emarie will now be cared for by her Papa Roger, Grandma Tammy, and Daddy Dillion Palmer. Taylor had so many plans for Emarie, so many things she wanted her to have, places she wanted to take her. She wanted to give her the world and we are going to continue what Taylor started.
Much love and thank you!