For Kristine -- Post-Op Recovery and Future Plans

Kristine is a daughter, sister, wife, mama, artist, teacher, a childhood best friend of mine for 32 years, and as many know, a cancer fighter + survivor.

For the last 16+ years, Kristine has “fought like hell” to face Neuroendocrine Cancer. Her fight has included three major cancer-centered surgeries, seven additional surgeries related to the cancer or needed because of complications from her cancer and treatment, several biopsies, several rounds of five different types of chemotherapy, over a year of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, several months of intense radiation treatments, clinical trials, blood transfusions, a skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, a pulmonary embolism, and, quite honestly, more pokes, pricks, scans, tests and treatments that, by the grace of God, most of us will never know.

Kristine has faced her diagnosis with immeasurable grace and a good dose of sarcasm (IYKYK).

Kristine has never let her health challenges hold her back from her life ambitions, dreams, and desire to help others. She earned her graduate degree to become an Intervention Specialist for Mild/Moderate Disabilities from University of Dayton in 2010 and married the love of her life, Andrew, in 2013. For the last 15 years, she’s been an advocate for innovative cancer research by riding, volunteering or participating in Pelotonia. Individually, she has raised over $20,000 - every dollar of which has funded research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, including the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, the very hospital in which she’s fighting her fight and receiving treatment.

In the last one to two years, however, Kristine has had significant tumor growth and complications due to her cancer and treatment. Her days have been filled with scans, tests, treatments, multiple doctor visits - even in a single day, managing oftentimes debilitating + increased pain, and more emergency room + extended hospital stays than one can even imagine.

Over the last several months, Kristine’s been preparing herself physically, mentally, and emotionally for the next part of her fight and story. That is what leads us here today.

Today, on December 5, Kristine is scheduled for her most extensive surgery to date. Under the guidance of her oncologist, two oncology surgeons (one of which was part of her surgical team in 2017) and their teams, she’ll undergo an 8+ hour surgery to aggressively remove 15+ tumors, at least 2 sections of liver, an adrenal gland from the kidney, the spleen, two sections of bowel, and possibly her uterus and remaining ovary, all of which are being affected by tumors.

The magnitude of this surgery is evident. Aside from immediate family and a handful of close friends, Kristine has kept this next step in her journey close. Not to withhold information from her support community, but as part of the way she’s personally processed and prepared herself for what comes next.

Over the years, and especially after major milestones in her journey like surgeries, treatments + recovery, people have asked Kristine and her family how they can help. While they’ve always been hesitant to accept help, at this point in their lives, this Go Fund Me is the answer to that question.

In lieu of a meal train (not an option due to the strict diet Kristine has been and will be on post-op), flowers (while beautiful and appreciated, realistically aren’t as helpful as some other ways of support), and tangible self-care items (Kristine’s one of the least materialistic people I know), a gift of any amount will be a tremendous help to Kristine + Andrew – both now + in support of their dreams for the future.

Here's how it will help:

• Gas, it’s a haul to The James from where they live

• Out-of-pocket insurance + medical visit copays

• Medications + supplements not covered by insurance

• Temporary loss of income as Andrew, without hesitation, transitions from freelance work, which has provided them some flexibility the last year to tend to Kristine’s health, to becoming a primary caregiver to Kristine for several months during her recovery

• The purchase of a lift chair which will be used by Kristine daily as she regains her strength

• Most importantly, surrogacy

I can’t believe I’ve gotten this far without mentioning the absolute joy and light of Kristine’s life, her sweet daughter, who came into this world in 2019 with the help of a gestational carrier. As some might know, Kristine and Andrew were pursuing this process once again before the surgery came into view. Though heartbreaking, and because of the immense cost of surrogacy, that dream has been put on hold. For now.

Your gift could help Kristine + Andrew look at the future with hope of growing their family and giving their daughter a best friend and sibling, someone to go through life with.

Together, we can help lessen the burden and stress of living life with and loving/supporting someone with cancer -- allowing both Kristine + Andrew to be fully focused on the path to recovery. And, their future.

It goes without saying that Kristine is a warrior. Her road to recovery will undoubtedly be long. We know she’s going to continue to “fight like hell.” We know Kristine will be motivated by wanting to make more memories with her daughter, husband, (hopefully growing) family + friends. I, for one, can’t wait to be part of those memories.

Kristine and her family will be immensely grateful for any support you can provide.

Let’s join together in community to rally behind Kristine!

JAN 7, 2024 UPDATE:

I’m so happy to post an update on behalf of Kristine, who is home + steadily recovering, after the biggest gifts of all, a smooth surgery AND celebrating Christmas at home with family.

I’ve had the chance to catch up with Kristine a bit, as well as her mom, Kathy. Both of them, and Andrew, have been completely blown away by the outpouring of support + encouragement on GoFundMe. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read Kristine’s story + give her both joy and hope as she looks to the future. Your gifts and notes are so incredibly appreciated!

In brief update, Kristine’s surgeons at The James have described the surgery as a "successful tumor debulk.” With the exception of one tumor that had to remain given its risky and complicated positioning, and one on her hip bone which will require radiation at a later time, the surgery successfully removed 19 tumors and the other known areas/organs that were impacted. While there are still serious realities with the Neuroendocrine Cancer she continues to fight, post-surgery, she’s feeling so grateful that this step in her journey is behind her.

Since then, Kristine has been managing her pain, working on regaining her strength, and true to her standard schedule, getting to many doctors’ appointments. While limited in activity, she’s been thankful at how steady the recovery is going, and yet, is humbled and reminded to take it easy and be patient while her body catches up to all it’s been through.

If you haven’t had the chance to read Kristine’s story, find it above. It’s a true story of strength, resilience and now hope for the future. And even though we’ve surpassed our initial goal, know that any gift you might consider will help not only today, but in her dreams of living life to its fullest, and, when the time is right, to explore their dreams of growing their family.

The support of people from all avenues of her life, as well as support from people she has never even met but have heard her story, has been incredible! I know Kristine looks forward to connecting with you as soon as she’s feeling back to 100%. In the meantime, from the bottom of my heart, and I know Kristine’s, thank you!!