Kristi Lynn Medical Fund
Donation protected
This is a story of a young, 38 year old single mother who has suffered with Lupus for over 23 years. The toll this disease has taken on her is one that words just cannot explain. I will however, try to bring you her story in hopes that you will find it in your heart to donate to this cause and help Kristi with some much needed support.
It all started in 1992 when she was 15 years old. The sickness, the doctors, the tests, the news, the devastation, all the ups and downs and the lifelong battle with LUPUS. Kristi has always maintained a full time job along with part time work to help pay for the medical bills that will unfortunately never end. God has blessed Kristi with employers whose support is second to no other employer I have ever seen.
Kristi received chemotherapy for 6 months in 2007 which was only successful for a few months with her illness. She decided to go to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and start an experimental drug, involving a long list of side effects, including death. She would travel during the night to get there by early morning to complete blood draws and then to see the doctor. These trips lasted 2 years, once a month to sometimes having to travel twice a month for the experiment.
She has suffered from blood disorders called ITP (platelets being destroyed) as well as TTP where she needed donated plasma treatments in order for her to survive. She has also suffered a TIA mini stroke in her 20's. The number of setbacks Kristi has faced is mind numbing. The battle with Lupus will never end for Kristi but right now, she is in need of a Kidney transplant, dental surgery and dentures as well as open heart surgery. Kristi receives dialysis 3-4 times per week for 7 hours each time she goes. She is on the kidney transplant list with the University of Michigan and has been for just over 4 years. On Friday, June 12th, Kristi had yet another set-back. The fistula used to aid in dialysis burst and she lost a devastating amount of blood. She received a blood transfustion which takes at least 3 months for the antibodies to build themselves back up to allow for a transplant. She was 'placed' on hold to receive a transplant during this time. Her son saved her life by calling 911 that day. Kristi was transported to the hospital in an ambulance so she could receive emergency surgery to repair the damage. Sadly, the fistula was no longer usable and she needed additional surgeries to create a new port for dialysis. In the meantime, until the new port is ready, there is a port in Kristi's chest that is being used.
Lupus is a disease that causes so much damage inside and out. You never know when it wants to turn against your body. Kristi also deals with ulcers, infection and pain in her mouth. She was told by doctors a few years ago that the only way to completely resolve this issue was to surgically remove all of her teeth, allow her mouth to heal and replace them with dentures. This is something that Kristi has tried time and time again to save up for but life has had other plans. Kristi had recently saved roughly $4,000 when her vehicle broke down. Those funds were no longer going towards her health but towards her only reliable means of transportation getting her to dialysis, doctors appointments and work.
The medical bills alone are staggering. This will forever be the case. Please, please find it in your heart to help my best friend and her son receive some financial relief by offering even a small donation. She is such a great inspiration to us all as she always keeps a smile on her face and has been so positive through everything.
It all started in 1992 when she was 15 years old. The sickness, the doctors, the tests, the news, the devastation, all the ups and downs and the lifelong battle with LUPUS. Kristi has always maintained a full time job along with part time work to help pay for the medical bills that will unfortunately never end. God has blessed Kristi with employers whose support is second to no other employer I have ever seen.
Kristi received chemotherapy for 6 months in 2007 which was only successful for a few months with her illness. She decided to go to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and start an experimental drug, involving a long list of side effects, including death. She would travel during the night to get there by early morning to complete blood draws and then to see the doctor. These trips lasted 2 years, once a month to sometimes having to travel twice a month for the experiment.
She has suffered from blood disorders called ITP (platelets being destroyed) as well as TTP where she needed donated plasma treatments in order for her to survive. She has also suffered a TIA mini stroke in her 20's. The number of setbacks Kristi has faced is mind numbing. The battle with Lupus will never end for Kristi but right now, she is in need of a Kidney transplant, dental surgery and dentures as well as open heart surgery. Kristi receives dialysis 3-4 times per week for 7 hours each time she goes. She is on the kidney transplant list with the University of Michigan and has been for just over 4 years. On Friday, June 12th, Kristi had yet another set-back. The fistula used to aid in dialysis burst and she lost a devastating amount of blood. She received a blood transfustion which takes at least 3 months for the antibodies to build themselves back up to allow for a transplant. She was 'placed' on hold to receive a transplant during this time. Her son saved her life by calling 911 that day. Kristi was transported to the hospital in an ambulance so she could receive emergency surgery to repair the damage. Sadly, the fistula was no longer usable and she needed additional surgeries to create a new port for dialysis. In the meantime, until the new port is ready, there is a port in Kristi's chest that is being used.
Lupus is a disease that causes so much damage inside and out. You never know when it wants to turn against your body. Kristi also deals with ulcers, infection and pain in her mouth. She was told by doctors a few years ago that the only way to completely resolve this issue was to surgically remove all of her teeth, allow her mouth to heal and replace them with dentures. This is something that Kristi has tried time and time again to save up for but life has had other plans. Kristi had recently saved roughly $4,000 when her vehicle broke down. Those funds were no longer going towards her health but towards her only reliable means of transportation getting her to dialysis, doctors appointments and work.
The medical bills alone are staggering. This will forever be the case. Please, please find it in your heart to help my best friend and her son receive some financial relief by offering even a small donation. She is such a great inspiration to us all as she always keeps a smile on her face and has been so positive through everything.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa Kollar-Cassini
Organizer
Wayland, MI
Kristi Hovind
Beneficiary