Carlene has been an inpatient at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for two weeks. She developed an infection around the central line catheter in her chest used to draw labs and administer medicine. Carly has had four central-line infections, requiring weeks of 24-hour antibiotics.

Unfortunately, the previous infections caused blood clots in her arteries on the right side, and this infection has caused clots on the left. At this point, blood clots entirely block her arteries, and a replacement of a central line is impossible. A central line is necessary to administer antibiotics for the infection and chemotherapy for the cancer relapse she is currently experiencing.

I must make some tough decisions in a short period. Carly will remain inpatient until we figure out how to address the infection and the tumor growth. Life is highly complicated with her hospital admission and our family living in a shelter over an hour away in Brooklyn.

What we need help with now:

Transportation to and from the hospital from the shelter is $50-90 one way. Lyft or Uber gift cards would be beneficial. We are also comparing prices between car services, vehicle ownership, and parking. A rental car or vehicle donation would also be a blessing.

Housing has been a challenge from day 1. The amount of money our family has spent on housing and medical care is why we had to enter the shelter system. We NEED a permanent residence as close to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as possible. Carly's medical condition has qualified our family for rental assistance. We need to find a place that accepts the FHEPS B voucher in NYC.

Instacart, grocery, or food delivery gift cards are always needed and welcomed. With my absence and lack of availability to cook meals for the family, quick meals that are easy for them to prepare on their own are essential.

Help with advocating for my husband to join us in America. He still needs to secure a visa to travel to be with us. He has not seen Carly in almost a year and has not met our new baby. Having his assistance to sit with Carly at the hospital or help the children care for our six-month-old baby would relieve the burden of the children assuming parenting responsibilities while I am in the hospital with Carly 24/7.

Thank you for your prayers, well wishes, donations, and support. We need them now more than ever. You may find support links and updates on Carly at www.coinsforcarly.com.