About Deb...

In early 2017, my mom learned she had lung cancer. After a long process of meeting with doctors, having tests done, and biopsies, she had a partial lobectomy. The surgeon took enough margin for testing, and the tests came back negative. We thought the cancer was gone.

In 2019, she developed another lesion, this time more aggressive and faster growing. She was not able to sustain another surgery so they went the radiation route with cyber-knife technology.

In 2020, she had an event in which she went into respiratory failure. She was unable to exhale. My mom had been a smoker for a very long time and had developed COPD. She was rushed to the hospital, they sent her home straight from ICU, she had another event and was taken to another hospital in a different city. They were able to get her stabilized, she was able to go home, and she recovered. She was placed on oxygen and after smoking for many many years, she quit. Around this time she developed congestive heart failure.

In 2021 another lesion appeared and another round of radiation, followed by another lesion in 2022. At that point, she was beyond radiation and they were discussing immunotherapy.

On September 27, 2022, she had another biopsy of a lymph node that lit up during a pet scan. We were told that the biopsy was clear. On October 3rd, she had another event. Paramedics were immediately called and they responded quickly. When they arrived, her oxygen level was at 50%. As they were intubating her she coded. They worked on her for five minutes and were able to get her heartbeat back but by this time it was too late. Too many minutes without oxygen had passed and she suffered an anoxic brain injury. She never regained consciousness. She was in the hospital for two weeks but only her brain stem was working to control breathing and basic body functions.

On October 16th, we lost her.

I did a lot of research into COPD, anoxic brain injury, lung cancer, and heart failure. In the donations tab above, I've linked to organizations that research these conditions and are working to find treatment that helps. You can donate to them if you wish to, but they are mainly here for information if you or someone you love is suffering from any of them. There is a link for help to quit smoking as well.

Also under the donation tab is a link for AMVETS. They are an organization that accepts donations much like the Salvation Army, but they use the proceeds to help veterans and their families. My mom was in the military from 1974 until she retired at age 60. She began in the army and moved to the Air Force. She was proud to serve her country. She would be pleased for them to be supported.

The reasons for this memorial page....

First, I want to honor my mom. She was an amazing person. If someone had a need and she had something to give, she didn't think twice. She gave what she had. She loved her family and she loved her country.

Second, I don't want you or someone you love to suffer the way she did. My hope is that in providing information and resources, I can help someone get healing and help before it's too late.

Give the ones you love an extra hug and tell them you love them. I did't get to say goodbye to my mom. I talked to her at 2:00 on the 3rd and at 4:00 I got the phone call. I was sick and couldn't go see her but had planned to go see her as soon as I safely could. Don't lose the opportunity to be present with your loved ones. Do it while you have the chance. One day there will be no "later" and no "tomorrow."