Dawnelle Needs Our Help!

On February 4th, Dawnelle was making her famous brisket for some of her favorite people, the priests of St. Monica's. While there, she suffered a significant stroke. We thank God Dawnelle was there and not alone when it happened. She was rushed to the ER where she received acute medical attention, but the size and significance of the stroke left a lasting impact. Dawnelle spent three days in the ICU, followed by five days in a regular hospital room. Once it was determined she was physically stable, Dawnelle was moved to a rehab facility. Unfortunately, the mental damage proved too great, and she has since been transferred to a skilled nursing facility.

As it stands now, 8 weeks after the stroke, Dawnelle has post-stroke Dementia. Her body has recovered greatly, but sadly her mind has not. For this reason, it has been determined that the safest place for her, and what we hope is her recovery, is a facility that can offer her 24-hour care. While her daughter, Melissa, had hoped to be able to bring Dawnelle home, for now, that does not seem possible.

As many of you know, Melissa lost her husband very suddenly a year and a half ago, leaving her to be the sole provider and caregiver for her two young children. Dawnelle lived for her grandchildren, Michael and Ella, and the fact that she can't see them yet, and vice versa, has only added to the great sadness and hardship felt by all. When Dawnelle wasn't at St. Monica's making dinner for the priests, cooking for an event, greeting and seating people at the 9:30 Sunday Mass, driving other seniors to Mass, or any of the many other ministries she was involved in, she was busy being a loving and involved Grandmother to her two greatest blessings as she often called them.

Dawnelle has spent so much of her life serving her community, and now she is the one in need of help. As someone who always prided herself on being able to provide for her family and others, Dawnelle would probably feel uncomfortable that her family is reaching out in this way. With that said, looking long and hard at the options, there are not many. The financial burden of the care Dawnelle needs is great. It has currently surpassed what she or her family can afford. The road ahead is long and full of challenges. Dawnelle is currently back in the hospital, as the Nursing Facility she was in felt she needed further medical evaluation. The family has also learned that her current nursing home may not have her best interests at heart. Placing a loved one in any type of Skilled Nursing or Memory Care Facility isn't easy. After the experiences and observations over the last few weeks, the family wants to make sure that she will be relocated to a facility where she is safe when she is alone. As this is all new territory to explore, the family now is open to any financial, emotional, and spiritual support that is available. Dawnelle loved to serve others, and while it is difficult to ask on her behalf, this is the reality of her needs. The family is in gratitude to each person who is able to support her in any way.