Woman’s plan to buy sick sister a house nearly thwarted by cats

A woman’s plan to buy her sick sister a house proved to be a bit difficult thanks to some unwanted guests.

News 12 Staff

Feb 6, 2019, 10:59 PM

Updated 1,912 days ago

Share:

A woman’s plan to buy her sick sister a house proved to be a bit difficult thanks to some unwanted guests.
Teri Chew says that when cancer surgeries left her sister Carolyn Chew unable to work, she set out to create a new home for her family members.
“My son was 7 years old and I could no longer drive and I was now looking down the tunnel of a terminal disease,” says Carolyn.
Carolyn was dealing with a 13-year battle with cancer and had two brain surgeries. She is on disability.
Teri says that she came up with a plan. She would buy a run-down home in Moorestown, renovate it, sell it and then use the money to buy another “fix-up” home for Carolyn and Carolyn’s son Aiden.
But when Teri found the second home, there was a problem – cats.
“There were over 30 cats. The ammonia smell hit you in the face before you even hit the door,” says Teri.
The feral cats were peering out of every corner of the house from the attic to the basement, according to Teri.
“They weren’t sweet, little [cats,]” Teri says. “They were [mean]. And we had a two-month flea infestation.”
Teri says that renovating the century-old house wasn’t easy, but she had love as her motivator. Carolyn and Aiden moved into the home in January and say that they love it.
“I was completely blown away. This was well beyond my expectations,” Carolyn says.
Carolyn has no evidence of cancer now, but still gets MRIs every other month to be sure.
“You really don't know when this is going to take you. My neurosurgeon said to me - because I lived in this uncertainty my attitude was, ‘I can't really do anything permanent,’ you know? And he said, ‘Go buy a home. Live your life, live your life,’” says Carolyn.
And thanks to her sister’s hard work, Carolyn says that she is going to do just that.


More from News 12
1:47
Ex-Monticello officer who admitted to sex assault of underage teen reinstated to department after arrest

Ex-Monticello officer who admitted to sex assault of underage teen reinstated to department after arrest

2:08
Partly sunny, light breeze for Friday in the Hudson Valley; afternoon showers for Saturday

Partly sunny, light breeze for Friday in the Hudson Valley; afternoon showers for Saturday

0:36
Police: Woman arrested in connection to student brawl outside Yonkers school

Police: Woman arrested in connection to student brawl outside Yonkers school

1:44
Poughkeepsie leaders ask public for help to find troubled teens before tragedy strikes

Poughkeepsie leaders ask public for help to find troubled teens before tragedy strikes

1:02
Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for completion of New Rochelle affordable housing development

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for completion of New Rochelle affordable housing development

0:32
Bedford School District to receive more money aid, boost in funding from state

Bedford School District to receive more money aid, boost in funding from state

0:30
Blooming Grove highway worker seriously injured during tree removal

Blooming Grove highway worker seriously injured during tree removal

0:46
New Rochelle business owner pleads guilty to wage violations

New Rochelle business owner pleads guilty to wage violations

0:23
Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

0:33
Woman faces charges for selling weight loss drugs on TikTok without license

Woman faces charges for selling weight loss drugs on TikTok without license

2:22
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

2:17
Home Depot ban on solicitation impacts day laborers in New Rochelle

Home Depot ban on solicitation impacts day laborers in New Rochelle

0:55
Headlines: Child pornography charges, drug dealing guilty plea, cocaine possession sentencing

Headlines: Child pornography charges, drug dealing guilty plea, cocaine possession sentencing

0:26
Rockland residents honor fallen heroes in national weeklong event

Rockland residents honor fallen heroes in national weeklong event

0:19
Cross County Center launches 70th anniversary celebration with expanded summer fest

Cross County Center launches 70th anniversary celebration with expanded summer fest

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

1:44
Exploring the Westchester children's museum: A journey of play and discovery

Exploring the Westchester children's museum: A journey of play and discovery

3:04
Crowds again gathers at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds again gathers at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

2:22
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

10:49
Students at pro-Palestinian encampment at Rutgers University begin to disperse

Students at pro-Palestinian encampment at Rutgers University begin to disperse