Stand By Kristi's Battle With Rare Disease

Hi, my name is Angela Bergeman and I would like to tell you about my best friend's medical journey.

One year ago this month, Kristi was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disorder called Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid (MMP). This disease causes severe blistering and painful erosions in the skin and mucous membranes, including the eyes, mouth, throat, sinuses, and esophagus. It can lead to loss of function of these membranes (such as blindness, inability to swallow food or water, etc.). Left untreated, it can lead to hospitalization and death.

Three years ago, Kristi started experiencing different unexplained symptoms throughout her body. For every symptom that popped up, she would go to doctors and they would treat the problem. Before diagnosis, Kristi experienced severe inflammation of her gums and mouth, it moved into her sinuses. It caused severe ulcerations in her esoghagus, leading to narrowing and inability to swallow food and medication. This lead to having her esoghagus stretched. Finally, it attacked her eyes which she fought for 9 months, being told it was severe dry eyes and allergies, with it progressively getting worse. She is now legally blind in her left eye (she can still see colors and shapes). Kristi had to resign from her job and career of 23 years as an insurance agent. At this point, she is no longer able to work.

Kristi was finally sent on to a corneal specialist. With the examination of her eyes, the doctor knew exactly what she had. At first she was elated to know the diagnosis for what she was experiencing and everything made sense, like a puzzle coming together. However, this disease is a MONSTER!

They have treated Kristi very aggressively. At this point, she has an amazing team of 7 doctors that are working hard to get her into remission. She has been on high doses of prednisone for a year, other numerous medications and eye drops. She has endured 27 infusions (with the last six infusions being an aggressive, high risk chemo drug). With another 9 infusions planned. Everything the doctors have tried so far have not been effective in getting her into remission. It has been a hard year with weekly nonstop doctor visits and labwork, infusions, and trips to the University of Minnesota.

With a long road ahead, as this journey is far from over, any donation would be immensely appreciated. The funds would be used for any medical and prescription costs, fuel to and from appointments and trips to the University of Minnesota. Thank you for any donations, kind words, and thought and prayers.

I do not have Facebook, so I have asked Kristi to post this for me. If you are able, please share Kristi's story.

Thank you,

Angela