Need some help

dunroven · #1 09/09/08, 09:25 PM

Folks, I'm not sure how to ask this and I hope I'm posting it in the right place. We just got some news today that my husband's niece was found dead in her home. We need to travel to the funeral, which is in Carmi, Illinois. It is about 650 miles from here. The reason this is so important is that my husband's 2 sisters and 1 brother, have the following problems:

1 sister has lung cancer. She has beat it for 2 years, but has finally given up on chemotherapy because she was just getting totally exhausted from it and had no quality of life anymore.

1 sister has had several strokes and is on 24-hour oxygen.

His 1 brother has a horrible case of shingles that have gone inward. He's in tremendous pain with these.

The 2 sisters live in Texas and the brother lives in Arkansas. We live in Northwest Iowa.

This may be the last time, this family will be able to get together.

Here's the problem. We don't have enough money to get there. I wouldn't ask for myself, but for my husband and his family, I guess I am asking for myself, but mainly I'm asking for him. Is there anyone out there that could possibly loan me some money, we only need about $200 to make the trip down and back. That would pay for the gas and I am cooking stuff from our freezer to eat on the way, and making a couple of thermos jugs of coffee to use on the way down and back, and we are going to sleep in the van, and change our clothes the morning of the funeral (Friday) in someone else's hotel room.

If someone can help us, I will gladly figure a way to pay you all back. I'm embarrassed to ask this, and again, I wouldn't if this wasn't so important to their family.

Thank you if you can help. Please PM me.

Valorie

dunroven · #2 09/09/08, 10:17 PM

Thank you Rose. With the help of some special friends from this board, I think we are going to make it. We are getting pretty close to what I need to make it already. I appreciate everyone who is giving and those who can't give, if you just will say a prayer for us for traveling mercies and ask the Lord to bless the family that has lost this niece. She was a special lady. She was 48 and she had a daughter with a very rare disease, Rhett's syndrome. She kept Katy at home until she became too big for her to handle and she is now in a nursing home. The niece that died; her name is Kathy and her daughter is Katy. She has another, very healthy daughter, who just got married and probably will now be the overseer of her sister's care. That daughter is just past 20 years of age. This will be very tough on the 2 girls.

We suspect she died of sudden cardiac death, as her brother also died this same way about 2 years ago. He was painting his children's bedroom, stepped off the ladder to get more paint, and boom, he was dead. He was in his 30s.

They have 1 brother left and we don't even know if they have found him to let him know about this. He's kind of a rambler and doesn't let anyone know where he is. Kathy was the mainstay of their family. Now that she is gone, I'm wondering what will happen with the rest of them.

Well, I've rambled more than anyone wanted to hear, sorry about that. Just needed to put it down somewhere.

Thanks everyone

Valorie

dunroven · #3 09/09/08, 10:26 PM

Folks, I have received enough to make the journey and appreciate it very much. Please accept my humble thanks and if any of you ever need help, please do not hesitate to contact me. If I have it, it's yours.

You are special people and I am blessed to know you!

Valorie

Murray in ME · #4 09/09/08, 10:28 PM

I am very sorry for your family's loss. Your family is in my prayers. Travel safely.

**Tiempo** · #5 09/09/08, 10:29 PM

Safe travels Valorie.

myheaven · #6 09/09/08, 10:39 PM

You already have the money you need so I will say prayers for a safe and uneventful journy.

dunroven · #7 09/09/08, 10:43 PM

I'm going to head to bed for the night folks and I'll be thanking the Lord for everyone on this board. I appreciate everyone so much. I don't know how to express my thanks. Words aren't enough, but I'll just say it again.

Thanks!

Valorie

dunroven · #8 09/10/08, 04:50 AM

Folks, my husband was in bed last night when I posted this request. I just told him what you have done for us and he broke right down and cried and said to give you his thanks. Some of you have met my husband and know that he is a big, strong man who rarely (almost never) cries, but this is a kindness that is hard to describe the feeling of unless you have been a recipient. What a humbling experience it is and we thank the Lord for you all again.

Valorie

Minelson · #9 09/10/08, 06:41 AM

So sorry for your loss

I will pray for peace for your family and a safe journey to IL. Give DH a hug for me (I remember his pic holding the baby goats...so sweet!)

nehimama · #10 09/10/08, 06:47 AM

I'm sorry for your family's loss, and pray for a safe journey for you.

NeHi

hmsteader71 · #11 09/10/08, 07:21 AM

I am sorry for your loss. If there is anything we can do let us know. We live in Sumner, IL only about an hour from Carmi. If you need anything while here, pm me and I will give you my number.

dunroven · #12 09/10/08, 07:26 AM

Thank you everyone! Hmsteader71, I appreciate your offer very much! Be nice to meet you! I wish we had more time and a better occasion and we would do it for sure.

If you see the Carmi news, it is Kathy Russell. On the Carmi Times website (the local newspaper), she is listed as "Welfare check leads to discovery of body" or something similar.

We don't know the autopsy results yet, but there is no suspicion of foul play, so I'm just figuring it was a heart attack.

Valorie

Sonshine · #13 09/10/08, 09:05 AM

Praying for you to have safe travels. I'm glad you were able to get enough money to make the trip.

Tricky Grama · #14 09/10/08, 10:38 AM

Praying for you & yours, and a safe journey for all.

Patty

Shamrock · #15 09/10/08, 11:36 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss, I'll pray for you.

On another note, and I know you didn't ask this, my dad takes lysine for shingles.

Sandra Nelson · #16 09/10/08, 02:35 PM

God bless you and safe journey.

Sandy

ELOCN · #17 09/10/08, 02:43 PM

Praying that you have a safe trip. It's a shame that so many of don't see relatives we'd like to see unless there is a funeral.

crehberg · #18 09/10/08, 03:55 PM

God bless.

Pony · #19 09/10/08, 04:16 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss, and for the rough shape the family is in.

I'm so impressed that you came and asked for help; impressed with those who came forward with the help; and thank you for giving folks the opportunity to pull together in community.

God bless you with safe travels, good time with family, and a safe trip home.

dunroven · #20 09/10/08, 04:28 PM

You know, you all just continue to awe me with your support and your love. It seems to reach clear across this old globe and all I can say again is thanks, and I am completely humbled with all the expressions of sympathy. I will pass this on to Lacey as well, (the daughter). We talked with her today and she seems to be holding up fine. She's a good strong girl and I think she will be okay. My husband is hanging in there. His sisters are doing good and his brother is still scratching! (LOLOLOL) Thanks for the tip about the Lysine Shamrock. I'll pass this on to my BIL. My husband just had these about 2 years ago. He still has occasional pains from it, so I may start him on some Lysine after we get home and see if it takes care of his problems.

Again, everyone, thanks for everything!

My love to you all!

Valorie