Support for Carolyn’s Cancer Recovery & Care at Home
Our mom, Carolyn, is a proud California native, born and raised in Los Angeles in 1942. She’s a breast cancer survivor, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She’s lived through the iconic decades of California history — the 50s, 60s, and 70s 80s 90s— raising her family in Orange County alongside our father. My dad has since passed, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him and the values he instilled in me — especially to never be bitter, and to always cherish family.
A few months ago, Mom went in for what we thought would be a routine biopsy. A complication led to 8 days in critical care. The diagnosis: Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer — her second cancer battle. She’s 83 years old and strong but every day she battles to breath, she now faces radiation treatments, possible rehab, and an uncertain journey ahead.
Mom wants to remain in her home — familiar surroundings, the same doctors she’s seen for years, her memories, her neighborhood, her community, and most of all, her dignity. She shouldn’t have to leave California, the only place she’s ever called home, just because it’s become too expensive to grow old here.
I’ve put my life on hold in Nevada to be here full-time with her in California. I’ve been here over 2.5 months now — not working, not earning, spending my own savings, and doing everything I can to make sure she has what she needs. But the expenses are adding up fast. Transportation to medical appointments gas prices increasing every day, the possibility of part-time care, a ramp, a wheelchair, or even basic modifications to help her safely get in and out of the shower — it’s all a lot for one person to carry alone, as her daughter i will continue.
We all know that even if you own your home in California, the space rent just for the concrete slab your home sits on is incredibly high — and with added medical needs, it becomes even harder.
This isn’t easy to ask. But this is for my mom.
I’m hoping that with the kindness of friends, family, and even strangers who understand what it means to be in this position, we can raise the funds to help keep Carolyn in her home, cared for and comfortable.
If you’ve ever loved someone through cancer or cared for an aging parent, you understand how much strength and support it takes.
Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for standing with us.
With gratitude,
Colleen Shannon
