My mom is one of the kindest, most resilient people I’ve ever known. She has spent her life caring for others; working as a nurse in rehab and behavioral health for decades, and volunteering as a camp nurse where she helped countless kids and adults alike. She had a deep desire to love everyone she met, and I feel so lucky to have been guided by her and to try to live by the example she set.
Anyone who met my mom could tell you how special she is. I could go on and on about the amazing woman who raised me: her strength, her heart, her unwavering compassion… but the truth is, if you met her even once, you’d already know. She’s simply the best person I’ve ever known.
It breaks my heart to share that earlier this year, in April, my mom was hospitalized due to sudden and severe vertigo and double vision. What we thought would be a short hospital stay quickly turned into something far more serious. That day, I learned that she had been quietly battling breast cancer for the past three years. She had chosen not to undergo chemotherapy due to the side effects, but sadly, the cancer had progressed. It had metastasized to Stage 4, spreading and creating tumors to her brain, bones, liver, and more. Watching someone you know as a powerhouse become debilitated so quickly is devastating, but even now, her strength and spirit are still shining through.
As we prepare for life without her, I’ve created this fundraiser to support my dad, who has been by her side every step of the way. He took time off work to care for her full-time, but has now exhausted all his PTO and has been without income for several months. While hospice care was thankfully covered by the state, we’re still facing a number of uncovered medical expenses — from hospital stays and CT scans to MRIs, neurologist visits, and oncology treatments.
We also want to honor her final wishes by laying her to rest in Corvallis, next to her parents. We won’t be holding a formal celebration of life, but we do want to give her a beautiful resting place that reflects the love and light she gave to so many.
Any funds raised beyond the immediate costs will be donated to breast cancer research and financial aid programs for families facing similar battles. That’s what my mom would have wanted, every Christmas, she’d ask us to skip gifts and donate to charity instead. Giving to others was her way of life, and I want to continue that legacy in her honor.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for being part of my family’s journey. Your support means more than I can say.
With love,
Carmen and Steve
