Katie Retzlaff is Battling Hodgkin Lymphoma

My name is Kim, I am the future mother-in-law of Katie Retzlaff. My daughter Jakie and Katie are high school sweethearts and have been together for 7 years. Since day one, Katie has been a part of our family. Anyone who knows Katie… knows she is incredibly sweet, compassionate, and truly a kindhearted soul. Katie is just 25 years young, and her kindness, compassion and empathy come from difficult family trials she has already had to endure in her young life. Currently, her mother Angie is fighting to stay healthy (and alive) as she awaits a kidney and pancreas transplant at MAYO for complications of type 1 diabetes that she has had since childhood. Katie’s father, Tristan is a disabled Veteran that struggles with PTSD. Katie’s younger brother Gabe has a rare bone disease that required a hip replacement before he was even 18 years old. Katie also had a little sister, Bella, who tragically passed away at the age of two from complications of RSV and pneumonia. Bella’s passing was understandably life-altering for Katie who was only 8 years old. Like many of us, Katie suffers from depression. Regardless of her own depression, Katie has been an amazing partner, companion, best friend, and advocate for my Jakie, who suffers from major depressive disorder attributed to gender dysphoria.

With all these trials in Katie’s personal life, she has always been and continues to be positive. She is always there whenever a friend or family member needs anything. Katie is truly an amazing person, and I am honored to call her my daughter.

As we all know COVID-19 has brought many changes, challenges, and devastation to so many families. Unfortunately, Katie and Jakie (and their families) are now experiencing some of that devastation, which is why I am reaching out on behalf of these two young adults who desperately need help.

Katie has just been diagnosed with aggressive Hodgkin lymphoma with organ involvement. Sadly, Covid has played a big part in how aggressive and advanced her cancer is. Katie followed Covid precautions and was vaccinated and boosted to keep herself, and her family healthy, especially her mom and myself healthy (I have SLE lupus).

Unbeknownst to Katie, her body was secretly becoming weakened by cancer. Covid took advantage of her body becoming weakened and Katie contracted Covid (more than once). Covid weakened Katie’s body even more which caused her undiscovered cancer to spread. Katie was not recovering from some covid symptoms, and her fatigue was increasing… she went to see the doctor. Chest X-rays showed major lung scarring and inflammation around her heart. Which can be a complication of Covid. With so much unknown about Covid… doctors felt Katie was experiencing “long Covid.” Said they would recheck everything in a few weeks. Katie did not make it for a few weeks. In less than a week Katie contacted me in a lot of pain. She immediately went back to the doctor. More labs and a CT were immediately ordered. The results showed that Covid had been masking the symptoms of cancer.

Doctors needed more tests to make an accurate diagnosis of the type and severity of cancer. Next came lab work, cardiac testing, pulmonary testing, biopsies, and a PET scan. With each new test and procedure… more unwelcome news was the result. What we feared with each result was becoming a scary reality. Katie has been diagnosed with metastatic Hodgkin Lymphoma with organ involvement. The cancer was not only in her lymph system, it also invaded her thorax, neck, and abdomen.

No words can describe how devastating a cancer diagnosis is. Words cannot describe how incredibly proud and in awe I am of how strong and positive both Katie and Jakie have been. Their love and support for one another is absolutely beautiful. Katie has a tough battle ahead of her, which has already started. Katie’s cancer is aggressive, so chemotherapy was started the same day her oncologist gave her the final results of all her diagnostic tests.

Unfortunately, Katie and Jakie need help. Katie’s employer is a small company and does not offer benefits like paid time off, FMLA or short/long-term disability. So, any time from work is income lost. Jakie’s job also does not come with paid time off or leave, to allow her to take time off (without losing income) when Katie needs someone to help her at home. Katie and Jakie were barely making it paycheck to paycheck before Katie was diagnosed. Unfortunately, Jakie’s paycheck is not sufficient to support both of them. The financial implications that come with a cancer diagnosis are overwhelming, to say the least. Katie (and Jakie) need help, more help than I can provide. Which is why I have started this GoFundMe. I am hopeful that family and friends and perhaps even some compassionate strangers will find it in their hearts to help reduce some of Katie and Jakie’s monetary stress and worry. I know with some financial breathing room Katie can concentrate on her health and being the warrior that she is and beat this cancer.

Any positive thoughts, good vibes, prayers, and donations sent to Katie’s way will be received with great appreciation and thanks.

You got this Katie! And we got you, Katie!

UPDATE:

I along with Katie and Jakie would like to thank all that have graciously donated to Katie. The donations have really helped with their expenses immensely!

Katie has been an absolute warrior! Shortly after starting chemo, on Easter Sunday her mother suffered a stroke (which she is still recovering from). So much has been happening to Katie and her family, that it is amazing how strong Katie has been through it all!

We do have some good news to share! The oncologist feels the chemotherapy is doing its job, which has helped Katie as she continues her chemotherapy treatments. Sadly, the chemo brings on many side effects, Katie is a true warrior and is managing the side effects as best she can. Unfortunately, the fatigue has been difficult. Katie tires very easily, so working is difficult. With that being said, Katie still needs help as she has several months of Chemo left.

If you can donate or share Katie's Go Fund Me, it would be so appreciated.

Blessings and Thanks to you all.

#KatieStrong