I met Yvonne in 2010, and even though we are different, we quickly became best friends, spirit sisters, I don’t know what to call us. I do know that Yvonne is a good person who deserves more than she’s gotten out of life. She may be a little rough around the edges, but she has a heart of gold. If she has two dollars, she’ll give one to someone with less because she can’t turn away from someone who needs help, no matter who they are or what they may need.
Yvonne has been chronically ill for years, but this year has been the worst. She has been diagnosed with Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis with Cirrhosis. She has Esophageal Varices and is showing signs of Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE). What does all of that mean? Yvonne has liver failure that has led to abnormal, enlarged veins in her esophagus, which could rupture and cause her to bleed to death in moments. As her liver loses its ability to filter out toxins, those toxins are settling in her brain, and we are beginning to see the physical and psychological symptoms of HE, which include losing the ability to use her hands, lack of coordination, stumbling, slurred speech, fatigue, forgetfulness, personality changes, mood swings, and more. Originally her doctor said she could have 2 to 3 years, but the last third to half of that time could be lost to HE. Now, however, we think her time is closer to 1 to 2 years, and she's already losing time to HE.
I recently asked Yvonne what she most wants to do or see before she dies, and she said she just wants to see her mother one more time. That doesn’t seem to be such a difficult request, but here’s what we’re up against. Yvonne is in Nashville, and her elderly mother in Tucson. Due to their health issues, neither can fly. That means we need to get Yvonne on a 3,200-mile road trip (1,600 one way). Since Yvonne can only travel for an hour or two before she needs a break to move around, it looks like the best options are to go by RV or train, as they both allow for freer movement during the trip. Fortunately, a friend is giving us unlimited use of her travel van.
Yvonne would really like to celebrate Thanksgiving in Tucson with her mother, so we need to start planning this trip now. Also while in Tucson, Yvonne would like to see her happy place again: Mount Lemmon. We’ll actually stop at several places on the way to Tucson and back because we’ll be taking this trip slow and easy. We may drive a few hundred miles one day, but we may only drive 50 the next. We’ll just take it as our health allows, stopping for breaks and to let Yvonne see and experience the things she always thought there was more time for.
Can you help make Yvonne’s final dream come true? And I mean help in any way – donations, gift cards to various stores and restaurants, connections, ideas, anything. We’ll need gas, food, toiletries, whatever it takes to live on the road for a few weeks. Yvonne also needs a new wardrobe. This illness has caused her to drop over 100 pounds, and nothing fits. She's put several things on the Amazon Wish List.
In addition to the trip, we’re working on getting our trailer in better shape to make it easier for both of us, making repairs to the floors and roof, possibly putting rails in the bathroom, etc. Should we possibly receive more donations than we need for the trip, everything will be put toward making our home easier for Yvonne to navigate.
If you can help make Yvonne's final dream a reality here are ways to donate:
CashApp: $thespiritlady or $mysticlady54
Paypal: @marmeesfriends or @musiccitywhowho
Zelle: circleofspirit@gmail.com
Venmo: @mysticlady54
Amazon Wish List: Yvonne’s Trip by Donna Marsh
By Mail: Contact me for our mailing address
Gift Cards: Kroger Co., Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Texas Roadhouse, McDonald’s, etc.
Thank you! It means so much to both Yvonne and to me that we have such wonderful friends.
