Steps of Healing for Kristen Whalen

On March 20th, 2025, after experiencing back pain for a few days and at the advisement of her primary care physician, Kristen went to the Emergency Room for further evaluation due to difficulty with walking, and numbness that had become increasingly worse. After several hours of discomfort, testing, and waiting back for results, it was discovered that she had spinal stenosis from herniated discs that were compressing her spine. This condition also resulted in Cauda Equina Syndrome, which occurs when several nerve roots at the bottom of the spinal cord are compressed at once. This required emergency surgery to avoid additional permanent damage and paralysis of her legs.

On March 21st, 2025 she underwent her first major back surgery that took several hours. She was placed on 24 hour bed rest. In the days following, she began to move around and had regained some functioning with support of PT and hospital staff, although demonstrated continued numbness in areas below her waist and alongside her feet. This was initially considered a part of the healing process until it was discovered through further testing that she was not progressing as expected. Kristen again had another major surgery of her spine on March 25th, 2025. Both surgeries involved the removal of bone from her back to allow for spinal decompression. She spent several weeks in the hospital and was later admitted to the Medical Rehab Unit on site where she spent additional time learning how to move and navigate changes that occurred throughout this experience.

While we are happy to share that she is home as of 04/15/2024, she is still in the early stages of recovery and has PT and nursing support in home. Prognosis of some of the numbness and difficulties with daily functions are unclear at this time, but she and her family remain hopeful. She is walking in small strides with support of durable medical equipment! Kristen currently requires daily support from her husband Denny. Both have been out of work the last month and have exhausted all PTO and benefits possible from their jobs. They have also been responsible for costs associated with ongoing medical equipment needed to aid in Kristen’s healing, alongside usual monthly expenses.

Going forward, Kristen's road to recovery will require equipment, supplies, etc. that go beyond the scope of their traditional living costs. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to supporting any out of pocket expenses she will incur and needs they have while her and her husband are out of work so that she can continue to heal. We are rooting for her to make a full recovery and appreciate any support you may be able to offer.