Dear family, friends and community. Brooke Owens has been ill for quite some time. As of a few weeks ago she became seriously ill. We are launching this page to build a protective circle of support around the wonderful Owens family—Brooke, her husband, Terry and their son. Brooke is currently facing an extraordinarily complex and high-risk medical battle involving pending medical care/procedures and organs that began 10/1/2025 with the steps towards ruling out/in the diagnosis of breast “C”, severe cardiovascular, neurological, and autoimmune conditions. Her body is under immense physical stress, leaving her confined to bed except for essential movements. Until her weight has been maintained above 115 for longer than a month, no surgeries are permitted unless she remains in the hospital. The hospital she has to be in is nearly 3 hours away from home and she’s doing everything she can to stay out of there until she’s fully back on the right healthy weight track, once again. For nearly a year, Brooke’s husband has been a tireless, 24/7 caregiver. He manages the household, cooks, cares for their son, and handles all of Brooke’s delicate medical needs. On top of that, he drives them across Florida multiple times every single week to see specialty physicians, get imaging, and attend critical appointments. This long road has left him completely exhausted, and the emotional weight of worrying about each other is heavy on both of them. While they completely trust in God's divine timing and have given Him the wheel entirely, they urgently need their community to step in and help carry this burden. Giving this devoted husband a break from cooking and chores will allow him to rest, breathe, and focus on his family. Brooke’s Urgent Health Update: Brooke's physical health has hit a critical turning point. After fighting hard to gain weight since March of this year, she successfully managed to reach 114 pounds by eating small meals 8 to 9 times a day. However, 9 weeks ago, things shifted again. She was recently admitted into the OHI cardiac care given her hypertensive crisis/urgency. Unfortunately, a shift came for the worse. In less than two weeks, her weight rapidly dropped below 100 pounds due to being unable to keep much down. She is currently at her absolute lowest and frailest weight to date in over 24 years. Brooke cannot hold much down right now, which is putting dangerous added stress on her heart. Because she is severely immunocompromised, this extreme weight loss poses a major risk for any future surgeries and have been paused. She is doing everything she can to gain weight, but it has been incredibly unsuccessful and defeating for her. Getting safe nourishment into her body right now is a matter of absolute urgency. ⚠️ Critical Meal & Safety Guidelines Because Brooke is severely immunocompromised and highly vulnerable, we ask that anyone preparing a meal take strict health and hygiene precautions. Please wear masks and gloves while cooking, and do not prepare or deliver food if you or anyone in your household has been sick prior to or during the drop-off window. To keep Brooke safe out of the hospital while providing a hearty meal for her husband and son, please follow these kitchen rules: For Brooke (Strict Medical Necessity): Brooke struggles with severe choking, aspiration, and extreme GI intolerance. Her food must be prepared entirely separate from the rest of the family's meal to avoid cross-contamination. • The Only Allowed Foods: Grilled seasoned chicken, smooth mashed potatoes (made strictly dairy-free 100% lactose-free milk/vegan butter substitute), and very few select brands of rice. • Strict Eliminations: Absolutely 100% Gluten-Free (Celiac safe), 100% Lactose-Free(allergy to enzyme in dairy milk), and 100% Caffeine-Free(she has not had any in over 4 years due to her heart condition). For Her Husband & Son: • They can eat anything! Please feel free to bring substantial, hearty dishes for them so the men can enjoy a full, worry-free dinner. 🏡 Delivery & Drop-off Protocol Brooke suffers from SLE/Lupus, MS, pitted edema, kidney issues, intense optical migraines, severe light and sound sensitivity(SLE/MS photosensitivity/photophobia, Ménière’s disease that is an inner ear disease causing things such as severe vertigo, and is a very high patient for fall risk. She is a level 5 MDM patient no matter the specialist that she sees and these are just a few of the things fighting against her. At current, everything needed for procedures that require full sedation, all were placed on hold; pending Cardiac Clearance which has become the highest priority for all of her team of physicians! • Porch Drop-off Only: Please do not ring the doorbell, knock, or wait at the door—cameras are onsite. • Text Upon Arrival: 8632029902. Simply leave the meals in the designated porch area/cooler and send a quick text message to let the family know it has arrived. If you are unable to provide a meal, your prayers, thoughts, and well-wishes would mean the absolute world to the Owens’s family and provide immense spiritual strength. Thank you for reading these guidelines carefully, wrapping this family in your prayers, and stepping up to give a weary caregiver a much-needed break. With God’s blessings, Brooke’s mom “Ma”, Veronica Osborne Any updates about Brooke, or questions you may have; her husband or myself will be happy to provide when and where possible.. All things have fallen onto her husband. Now he is overwhelmed with house chores, cooking and looking after their son. Brooke can only eat grilled chicken and mashed potatoes at this point. She is unable to tolerate other foods. Her son and husband can eat anything. A meal train or any other means to assist with food would be greatly appreciated. Brooke's thought—“how can I help my husband, he needs a break to just rest a bit, somewhere, somehow!” They both are trying to carry this, but due to all that is ongoing and her husband working full time, handling all care of Brooke’s health, their son and their home; for him to be able to breathe a moment is all she can pray for!
Brooke is gluten and lactose intolerant. She can eat only grilled chicken breast and mashed potatoes at this point. Her husband and son can eat anything. Providing meals, gift cards or any other help would be very appreciated. Thank you for reading our story.