The financial strain was immediate. The emotional strain was even heavier.
Lisa is Grace’s mom, but she is also her full-time caregiver right now. It is a role no parent prepares for, yet one she carries with quiet strength and unwavering love.
Grace is just twenty-four. Newly married. A young teacher who should be building her life, not fighting for it. When she suddenly became sick earlier this year, everything shifted. Answers were hard to find, treatment was urgent, and eventually Grace needed a bone marrow transplant far from home.
To keep her safe, Grace had to live within thirty minutes of the hospital for 100 days. That meant leaving their home two and a half hours away, stepping away from work, and living in isolation in Chicago. The financial strain was immediate. The emotional strain was even heavier.
But Lisa never left her daughter’s side.
On November 16, 2025, after those long 100 days, Lisa and Grace finally returned home. Grace continued weekly visits to Loyola until December 2, when her central line was removed. Her labs continue to improve, and while she must still isolate, she is doing very well.
Throughout their time in Chicago, Lisa leaned on faith, family, and small daily routines to get through the hardest moments. During one hospital stay, her sister came to be with her — a gift of support she deeply needed. In another unexpected moment, a stranger offered to pray with them in a hotel elevator. Later that day, Grace felt better. Lisa believes prayer carried them through more than they could see.
Grace received exceptional care in the bone marrow transplant unit at Loyola, surrounded by compassionate nurses who helped make an overwhelming season more bearable. Together, Lisa and Grace found comfort in simple things — watching a TV series, running errands, going to the park — small moments that helped the days pass.
“The hardest part was watching Grace go through testing, sickness, fear, and being away from family,” Lisa shared. “Being a caregiver is one of the hardest jobs, but there was nowhere else I would have wanted to be.”
Lisa is deeply grateful for the support they received, including the Cocktails & Caregivers care package sent their way. Their journey is a reminder that strength is found in showing up, faith can appear in unexpected places, and love sometimes means leaving everything behind to stay right where you’re needed.
Supporting Our Caregivers
When caregivers reach out to us, they are often exhausted, overwhelmed, and out of options. Your donation gives them breathing room during the hardest moments of their lives. Whether it is paying for a place to stay near the hospital, covering medical travel, or providing care for the children they had to leave at home, your support makes a real difference. Help us continue this essential work.
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