Cheryl’s Story

Site created on August 30, 2021

Hello Dear Friends...


This is Laura Washington and I am a friend of Cheryl, Mike and Ariella.  I am putting this site together in hopes that there is one website for the many different ways you can reach out and help.  From this site, you can donate money, meals, time, prayers, groceries, memories and stories, photos and more.  Your help so far has been overwhelming (in a good way) and it means more to Mike and Ariella than you will ever know.  Thank you all.

Cheryl's current condition:  Cheryl came down with Covid about 3 weeks ago (going on 4 now) and while she was in bed recovering, she suffered a massive stroke.  Mike called the ambulance where she was taken to Kennestone Hospital.  She was intubated and medicated.  She was non-responsive and has been since she was admitted to the hospital.  Over the past 3 weeks the staff has been lowering her medicine doses in hopes that it was the medicine keeping her from responding but at this point it seems that the stroke has affected her ability to communicate.  Her right side has been weakened/paralyzed but she does have seemingly random, sporadic movement in her arm although she isn't responding to commands (squeeze my hand, raise your arm, blink...) at this time. She had a tracheotomy a week or so ago but she is still on a respirator.  She is still not communicating.  She is still in ICU although she has been moved to a lower level of ICU care since she is stable for now.

Through this website you can click different links to help in different ways.  I have set up 2 separate Meal Donation links because it's the way the website was set up.  As you consider donating, please do not be discouraged if 2 meals get delivered on the same day.  Both deliveries will be delivered to Mike and Ariella and it can be used as a lunch or stored in the refrigerator for a different day.

Please feel free to call or text me at 770-778-1784.  Text works best and I promise to try to return calls and texts asap!  Feel free to leave journal entries, prayers, add photos and stories about Cheryl and contact me if you have any questions I can answer.  Thank you all so much for your love, support and prayers during this difficult time.  Mike and Ariella can feel the love you send!

Newest Update

April 19, 2022

Journal entry by Laura Washington —

Hello Friends!  It's been quite a ride since I last communicated!  Many of you have reached out to Mike to check on Ariella and see how she is doing.  If you haven't heard back from Mike about her, it's because a Judge decided it was in Ariella's best interest to come live permanently with me and my husband and family.  She went from being an only child to having 5 brothers and sisters, 5 cats and a dog!  (One of the cats is Cleo, Ariella's cat she brought with her...)  I have included some photos so you can see how well she is doing!  

I have a favor to ask you!  Ariella's 12th birthday is April 28.  This will be her first birthday without Cheryl.  I promise to try to spoil her as Cheryl would but I am asking for your help to do this...It would mean the world to us if you would send her a card.  So many of Cheryl's friends continue to ask how they can help and reminding Ariella of Cheryl's love on her birthday through a simple card would be amazing!

I also know that the news of Ariella living with us now might be a shock to some of you.  If you want to share your concerns, thoughts or discuss anything with me, I invite you to reach out to me and I will be an open book.  We didn't see this coming but I know that God had his hand in this and put Cheryl and me in each others lives for this reason.  And I hope you see by the pictures, she is doing great!

Please think about sending Ariella a birthday card.  Reach out anytime.

Laura Washington
770-778-1784

Send cards to:

Ariella Marlowe
157 Lakeside Drive NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144
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