Gofundme started for Skamokawa man

Skamokawa resident Steve Rabelos and his wife, Patricia, need a little help.

Trouble for the couple multiplied when Steve began exhibiting signs of a stroke not too long ago. It took a bit of convincing, but Patricia was finally able to talk him into seeing a doctor, and on Jan. 9, Steve went from the clinic in Cathlamet to St. John Hospital in Longview and later to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver.

According to Patricia, Steve had surgery to remove most of a glioblastoma multiforme, a five centimeter tumor, from his frontal lobe, the following day.

“He’s doing really well now,” Patricia said on Monday.

Steve has been able to pull himself up in rehab and there is hope that as his brain heals, he will be able to “reconnect” the parts that have been affected--his speech, as well as his right hand and right leg.

It’s been a tough time for the Army veteran and his wife. The two are on Social Security, and after losing their longtime residence, have been living in an RV without running water on a property at the end of East Valley Road.

They are currently looking for a place to live in Vancouver.

“We’ve been blessed with all the help,” Patricia said.

Patricia has set up a fundraising account at gofundme.com/rabelos-fund.