Kristine Clemens' Medical Bills

Hi everyone, my name is Tracy. I'm fundraising for my twin sister, Kristine. She went into the hospital on September 19th. She hadn't been feeling well for several weeks. She was experiencing episodes of shortness of breath, severe coughing which kept her awake at night for several weeks, and difficulty finding energy to accomplish daily tasks like getting dressed and walking long distances. More physical symptoms were swollen ankles, loss of appetite, and stomach bloating. She thought she was experiencing anxiety and asthma attacks. The day before she went into the hospital she went golfing with some friends. She knew something was very wrong when she had to quit after four holes because she was too winded and exhausted (even though they were riding in a cart).

Kristine went to Urgent Care thinking it was nothing more than a really bad cold. She’d get some medicine and be back to work the next day. After waiting for nearly two hours, it was finally her turn to be seen. The short distance back to the room took all her breath out of her. They quickly put on a blood pressure cup and an ambulance was called because her heart rate was so high. The doctor came in to say she was afib and needed to go to the hospital. She was transported by ambulance. While in the ambulance they gave her medicine to lower her blood pressure and nebulizer to help with the breathing.

I met her in her ER room when she arrived. Teresa and Tom were on their way as well. The doctor came in and did a test for atrial fibrillation (Afib) which was quickly confirmed. They performed an EKG as well (those results would be given in the morning). They also did a chest X-ray. Those results came back confirming pneumonia. Her heart had probably been in Afib for 4–6 weeks. She didn't feel any palpitations; doctors say that can happen sometimes, so she had no idea that had been happening. We found out the next morning that because her heart had been working so hard for so many weeks her heart function had suffered causing congestive heart failure. Scary news to hear. The good news, though, is that with lifestyle changes (e.g., no alcohol, low salt intake, and taking medicine) there can be a full reversal and recovery. Kristine is committed to this plan and has already been doing it.

Kristine spent 8 days at Methodist Hospital where she received the best care. She was surrounded by siblings and friends throughout her stay and had so many praying and offering support, which continues, and she feels undeserving of it at times. She feels very lucky to be alive and that nothing worse happened prior to being in the hospital. She had a procedure while in the hospital that got her heart rate back to the proper rhythm. She is scheduled to have an ablation on her heart in December which should stop further episodes of Afib, and after a few months allow her to go off her medicine.

Kristine doesn't receive health insurance from her employer but does have a health insurance plan. Unfortunately, it doesn't cover a lot. Kristine was unaware when she received the health insurance that it wasn't very helpful. Kristine found out fast that she had no prescription drug coverage and only minimal coverage for hospital stays. I’m organizing this page to help her to pay for her medical & prescription costs. Kristine was left a brand-new life of needing a diuretic, blood thinner, and heart medicine to survive each day. Kristine was not aware the medications alone would cost her a minimum of $600/month. Kristine is left with $15,000 plus worth of hospital costs. Kristine will be having an operation in December to correct the heart as well.

Kristine has always been the first person to step in when a family or friend member has needed help. She is the most humble, selfless person who truly never asks for anything. Kristine goes out of her way to shine light on dark situations for others with no desire to get credit herself. She has sacrificed time and resources to bring resources, food, and entertainment to people and communities that had nothing, with the only goal of bringing a smile to a person’s face. I have known Kristine for 45 years (our whole life) and I can probably count on one hand the times she has asked for help. Please join me in this time of helping the person who has helped so many others. Let’s bring that light to her this time. Thank you all for your support!