Support Margaret's Final Journey

What do I say? My mom has come to the end of a long battle with kidney disease and other medical conditions. Margaret had fought a long battle of dialysis for 13 years. Unfortunately, for the last 10 years, she was unable to work and was on a fixed income, unable to prepare for this tragic loss. This is definitely a hard thing for me to do due to my pride and willingness to do everything on my own. But at this time, I'm asking for any little help to help lay my mom to rest.

A BIG thank you to all who have given your thoughts, prayers and/or contributions. Funds raised will be used to get Margaret to her final resting place, alongside our parents.

I'm Margaret Downey's little sister Sarah. I've often said how proud of her I was, even when she was unable to respond. We've watched her get up super early three times weekly for dialysis, even on days she could barely hold herself up. Long, painful, draining every ounce of energy like nothing most of us will ever experience, thank goodness. The Davita Dialysis team are true lifesaving heroes, our family! Margaret would take her last dollar to buy candy & treats to pass out to everyone who helped her. That was her way of giving back to those who cared for her. The wonderful folks at Smart Bus would assist 730AM to sometimes as late as 330PM start to end. For Margaret, it was like a part time job where she got a good ass kickin' at the same time. What a fighter she was.

Margaret was "sort of" a celebrity, we'd like to say, as she was well known by many at the HF hospital, from cleaning staff, transporters, nurses, aides, Dr.'s, and 911 staff. Most often she would greet you with a smile, sometimes you'd get understandable grief. After 5 or more attempts at inserting IV-s she MAY have had a few, let's say, unpleasantries to share, but she usually bounced back to joking her way through the misery.

During the last year, Margaret had bought into a second home, on the lake, Wyandotte Hospital, where she would reside more often than her apartment. I cannot imagine her anguish every time we'd say "Margaret, we need to call 911". She'd say "not yet" hoping for a miracle each time. Often 5 day stays, go home, return 12 hours later. Every step, every breath was just too much. Our hearts are broken, but at the same time, we know she is no longer suffering through the long 13 year battle of kidney, lung, and heart disease.

Margaret, we love you, miss you, cannot imagine these days with out your presence, sillyness, debates, & wisdom. You fought a great battle, sis!

My hero!