Help Kaitlyn Heal, Post-Stroke Expenses

Early on Saturday morning, January 15th, my sweet 31-year-old cousin, Kaitlyn, was sleeping peacefully in bed with her husband. Around 6:10am, she went to roll over in bed, to find that the entire left side of her body had lost sensation, and she was unable to control movement on the left side, along with a facial droop and some slurred speech. Thankfully, she was aware of the signs of a stroke, and was able to communicate to her husband to call 911 and was taken immediately to the ER at Butler General, a primary stroke center. Her blood pressure was found to be extremely elevated, with a systolic over 200, and diastolic over 100. Kaitlyn has endured a multitude of tests, including MRI, which confirmed that she has suffered two strokes, as well as showing some demyelinating lesions resembling possible MS. She is grateful to the staff at Butler General for taking great care of her, and I am happy to report they are doing everything to my stroke-nurse satisfaction. This news has been devastating to her, as now she is faced with an exorbitant amount of medical bills, to which no 31-year-old otherwise healthy woman could have planned for, as well as being the main provider for herself and her husband at this time. Unfortunately, the ensuing financial burden is adding undue stress, which is working against the hard-fought battle against her blood pressure. We are unsure at this time how long she will have to be away from work, and what lasting issues she will have once discharged from the hospital. She is still undergoing tests to find the cause of her strokes, and will need follow up care to track the lesions seen on MRI.

Kaitlyn hates the thought of having to ask for help, but I can say myself how much I owe her just in free animal care advice, as I’m sure many others do. Any amount will help, so if you could find it in your heart to donate your Starbucks funds for the day/week, or maybe your lunch take-out funds, we would be forever grateful. Most importantly, please keep Kaitlyn in your thoughts and prayers, and please take time to recognize the signs of a stroke. Remember, BE FAST. B = sudden onset in dizziness or balance problems. E = sudden onset change/loss of vision. F = sudden onset facial droop/weakness. A = weakness in arms or legs. S = inability to speak, difficulty speaking, or slurred speech. T = time. Kaitlyn used the restroom without difficulty at 4am, so that was the last time she was known to be normal prior to noticing the symptoms, which means she was a candidate for tPA, which is a strong clot busting medication. You can only have this medication within 3.5 hours of symptoms beginning. Please do not think you are too young, or that it can’t happen to you.

Stay aware, stay healthy, and God bless!

Kaitlyn's Keestor,

Amy