The Eisenbraun’s Unexpected Losses & Expenses

If you know me, I am like my mom, happy to help and always worry about others, but never ask for help in return, so this is very hard for me to do. So, please take a moment and read my story...

In April of 2022, I unexpectedly lost my mother, Kathleen Duffin. She always told me there was no life insurance and always worried about the care of my father and what would happen after she passed. She always worried about my dad, my kids, and me. I promised her I would care for my dad as she passed.

At the time of my mother’s passing, my dad, Paul Eisenbraun, was starting physical therapy and speech therapy (twice a week for both). I was his sole caregiver and driver. I’m so grateful that I was able to have flexibility at work and did not have any issues with missing work several days a week for the 8 months of therapy. He was discharged from his therapies on Monday, November 21st with great reports from both therapists. I was looking forward to being back to my regular work hours for a few weeks (with the exception of the holiday schedules).

On November 24th, Thanksgiving, my dad went into the Emergency Department at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie after complaining of vomiting that morning. He had to have emergency surgery that night to repair holes in his small intestine after being intubated. I documented most of the ordeal on my Facebook to family and friends as we had good days and bad days, including a week of bed rest. With the flexibility at work, I was able to see my dad before I came into work and after work and as needed throughout his hospital stay. I was coming in late to work every day as visiting hours did not start until 9am. After 3.5 weeks in the hospital, his fight ended unexpectedly and he joined my mom in heaven on Monday, December 19th.

The next day, I started the planning process. The Cremation Society of Milwaukee handled my mom's cremation, and I planned to work with them again. The woman there told me that if my dad qualified for Medicaid, there is a program that will help cover the cost of cremation. I started the process as fast as I could. They are currently requesting additional information that is being sent after writing this. I am starting to feel that he will not qualify. This is my biggest fear. Any funds raised will first be used to help cover the cost of his cremation should it not be covered. Any additional funds will be used towards housing expenses to help keep us in the house that my dad built while we look for new or second jobs after the new year.

My children (Zak and Jadyn) and I have spent some time budgeting and coming up with plans, but first and foremost, we know my dad needs to be cremated. Without asking for help, I don't see how we can make that happen and stay in our home. If we continue to wait on the updates from Medicaid, we don't know how long it will be. We don't know what the hospital will do in the meantime.

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.