Support Ms. Montaque's Journey to Healing

Dear Beloved Community,

My name is Dae, and I’m asking for your help as my Mama (Ms. Cornelia Montaque) battles chronic illness.

THE STORY

At the beginning of 2023, my siblings and I noticed a decline in our Mother’s health. It became harder for her to breathe, move around and care for herself. In April of 2023, I moved my Mama into my home to care for her, as she could no longer cook, feed or bathe herself. In the meantime, my siblings and I shuffled her to doctor after doctor to try and get a diagnosis for what was plaguing her.

On June 13, 2023, my Mama was taken to the emergency room with complaints of severe stomach pain. While waiting to be seen, her condition began deteriorating rapidly and she ended up intubated in the Intensive Care Unit. Over the next couple of weeks, the ICU doctors removed the intubation tube several times, and each time, my mother became unresponsive. We were given two options: 1.) Remove the tube and allow my mother to (most likely) pass away, OR 2.) Opt for a tracheostomy, which would create an opening in my Mama’s neck to provide an airway to help her breathe. We went with the latter, and while my Mama remained in the ICU, the doctors continued to run tests but were never able to find a cause for her illness.

After nearly two months in Intensive Care, we were told that our Mother would need to transition to an Acute Care Center for help with weaning off the ventilator, which she now needed to help her breathe. She remained in acute care for three months, where doctors, nurses and respiratory techs cared for her and attempted to wean her off the ventilator. We were hopeful, but after several unresponsive episodes while off the ventilator (She almost died!) we had to contend with the fact that her body was just not strong enough to breathe on its own.

In November of 2023, the Acute Care Center let us know there was nothing more they could do and that we would need to have her moved to a nursing home. Reluctantly, we did what was suggested. We were not in a position to care for her in our home, as ventilator patients require specialized equipment and care.

THE STRUGGLE

My siblings and I have put in a lot of time and effort to research our Mother’s condition. This included consulting a Functional Medicine Physician. After a visit with my Mama and taking lab work, this doctor firmly believes the culprits are mycotoxins (from mold) and/or heavy metals. This diagnosis is also based on a positive confirmation of both mold and lead in my Mama’s home. The doctor prescribed herbal supplements to assist with removing those toxins from her body. We believe eliminating these toxins can help strengthen her body and give her a fighting chance at getting off the ventilator. The unfortunate part of this is that the nursing home doctor refused to allow the treatment to be administered to our Mother.

WHAT WE NEED

We have not given up hope! We firmly believe healing can take place with our Mother. And we are putting action behind that faith by bringing her home!!! Our goals are to provide the medical care we believe she needs but is not getting in the nursing home AND to increase her quality of life by being in a clean, loving and joyful environment. Insurance covers some of her care, but not all. Donated monies will go toward medical costs not covered by insurance; help with live-in-aid expenses; alternative therapies, such as acupuncture; healthier nutrition administered through her GTube; help with easing the financial burden (and resultant stress) the family is facing; and whatever else is needed to help with long-term care.

THANK YOU

For my entire life, I’ve always known my Mama to welcome others into her home when they needed shelter. She is constantly cooking for and feeding people, and she is someone who is always in service to others. The job she loved the most was when she worked for the Interactive Resource Center (IRC), a day-shelter serving the local unhoused population. Helping others has always brought her joy; please let’s come together and help bring Ms. Montaque (My lovely Mama) some joy in her time of need.

With much love and gratitude,

Dae