Kristin's ALS Journey
Donation protected
It was about a year ago, I was reconnected with a friend from high school. I wish I could say it was under better circumstances. She was feeling very "off" and was scared. Multiple Sclerosis and a few other things had crossed her mind. Multiple Sclerosis is something I was very well-versed in since I was diagnosed in 2016 at a very young age. Her journey had taken some turns a 37 year old should NEVER have to experience. I asked Kristin to share her journey in her own eloquent words.....
September 12, 2019 – The day I was Diagnosed with ALS
As my doctor delicately explained that my body will slowly become paralyzed over the next 2-5 years until I can no longer take a breath, my thoughts drifted to the beach... How can I escape this torture...But the truth is I can't, this is my new reality...being told you dying is unimaginable, but I had some sense of relief.
Now I knew what it was ALS...Truthfully I hadn't remembered exactly what ALS was until I started researching my symptoms in July, then it started to sink in...This was the "Ice Bucket Challenge" disease... .
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS eventually paralyzes one's body, limbs, and lungs resulting in death. Based on U.S. population studies, a little over 5,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. Half of all people affected with ALS live at least three or more years after diagnosis. Twenty percent live five years or more.
There is currently no cure for the disease, however I have an amazing opportunity to receive treatment from a specialized Doctor in Albany in hopes to improve my physical functioning ability and slow down the degeneration of my muscles and nervous system. The Doctor has recommended I start this treatment the first week of June 2020. While receiving the treatment I will have expenses for treatment, living expenses for hotel accommodations for 4 weeks, and lost income.
I know in my heart that I need to try this treatment and I feel like, for the first time since the beginning of this journey, I have some hope that there's a Doctor that is invested in treating me as a patient instead of treating the disease of ALS.
I didn't expect to face this health issue at 38, but like they say we can't change the hand we're dealt, just how we play the hand. I choose to practice gratitude, and live purposely in my actions because I refuse to take this life for granted….
I know these times are tough right now, but let's work together, as the amazing community we are, and raise money for a woman who deserves to live her life to the fullest.
$4800 IV Treatment (antibiotics etc)
$2600 Hyperbaric chamber
$2000 Living expenses (estimate)
Peace, Love, and Hope
September 12, 2019 – The day I was Diagnosed with ALS
As my doctor delicately explained that my body will slowly become paralyzed over the next 2-5 years until I can no longer take a breath, my thoughts drifted to the beach... How can I escape this torture...But the truth is I can't, this is my new reality...being told you dying is unimaginable, but I had some sense of relief.
Now I knew what it was ALS...Truthfully I hadn't remembered exactly what ALS was until I started researching my symptoms in July, then it started to sink in...This was the "Ice Bucket Challenge" disease... .
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS eventually paralyzes one's body, limbs, and lungs resulting in death. Based on U.S. population studies, a little over 5,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. Half of all people affected with ALS live at least three or more years after diagnosis. Twenty percent live five years or more.
There is currently no cure for the disease, however I have an amazing opportunity to receive treatment from a specialized Doctor in Albany in hopes to improve my physical functioning ability and slow down the degeneration of my muscles and nervous system. The Doctor has recommended I start this treatment the first week of June 2020. While receiving the treatment I will have expenses for treatment, living expenses for hotel accommodations for 4 weeks, and lost income.
I know in my heart that I need to try this treatment and I feel like, for the first time since the beginning of this journey, I have some hope that there's a Doctor that is invested in treating me as a patient instead of treating the disease of ALS.
I didn't expect to face this health issue at 38, but like they say we can't change the hand we're dealt, just how we play the hand. I choose to practice gratitude, and live purposely in my actions because I refuse to take this life for granted….
I know these times are tough right now, but let's work together, as the amazing community we are, and raise money for a woman who deserves to live her life to the fullest.
$4800 IV Treatment (antibiotics etc)
$2600 Hyperbaric chamber
$2000 Living expenses (estimate)
Peace, Love, and Hope
Organizer and beneficiary
Christina Roach
Organizer
Niagara Falls, NY
Kristin Goetz
Beneficiary