Support Mindy & Dennis in Their Health Battle

Hello, my name is Nastassja and I am the daughter of Dennis and Mindy Teach. I am writing in support of my dear parents who have dealt with some severe health problems. My mom was diagnosed with a very aggressive type of Multiple Sclerosis in 2001, when she was 37 years old. My dad has been battling complications from E. coli since 2021, which led to the removal of a testicle. Recently, he was also diagnosed with both kidney and thyroid cancer.

A bit of backstory: ever since my mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2001, she has faced a series of challenging complications. It all began that year when she first experienced numbness starting in her head, which then gradually spread down to her arm. The doctors initially suspected she might be having a stroke, so they kept her in the hospital until they could determine the cause. It was during this time that she was diagnosed with MS. In 2005, she experienced her first significant MS episode, struggling to walk and losing much of her vision. A similar episode occurred again in 2012. In 2014, was the year she started rapidly declining. Her mobility gradually declined, starting with difficulty walking and eventually needing a walker, which only allowed her to move about 10 feet before she became exhausted. She stopped driving in 2019 and ultimately lost her driver's license in 2020. Now, she relies on a wheelchair and, on some days, lacks the strength to even stand up out of it.

For all of these years, my dad has been a constant source of support for my mom, selflessly putting her needs - and the needs of our family - above his own. He has worked 60-hour weeks for as long as I can remember, and since my mom lost mobility in her hands and legs, he’s been responsible for cooking meals and caring for her when he comes home. He even has to get up in the middle of the night to help her use the bathroom. As a result, he has little to no time for himself or any days off. Recently, my dad has faced a series of health challenges. It all began in 2020, when he received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and developed blood clots. Then, in May 2023, he was diagnosed with E. coli, which required a round of medications but the E. coli continued to return. In January 2024, he underwent surgery to remove a testicle in hopes of eradicating the infection, but it continued to persist. In October 2024, doctors discovered and removed cancer from his kidney. Now, in December 2024, he is preparing to have his thyroid removed after cancer was also found there. This will be his third round of surgeries, and throughout all of this, my dad remains the sole provider for both himself and my mom.

Recently, my mom has embraced a new lifestyle, introduced to her by one of her closest friends, Terree. She has made the bold decision to stop her MS medications and adopt the “Eat Real to Heal” program by Nicolette Richer. This lifestyle focuses on eliminating processed foods and toxins, promoting a diet of organic vegetables with no sugar, no meat, and nothing processed. In addition, my mom is working with a doctor from across the world who specializes in chronic illnesses and has a 97% success rate in helping patients heal. This approach includes analyzing her blood work to determine the right supplements for her.

If you are able to make a gift for Mindy & Dennis, it will help support the following:

None of this would be possible without the incredible support of her “village” - my dad, who continues to be her rock; Dena, her caregiver, who none of this would be possible without her loving support of preparing all of her meals; and Terree, whose friendship and guidance introduced my mom to this transformative lifestyle.

Thank you to those who I have not mentioned above and have already supported my parents, Mindy and Dennis. I know that my parents are immensely appreciative of everyone's support throughout all these years. It isn’t easy for my parents to accept help in this way, but like MS & cancer, it is out of my parents control and I can see how much help my family needs.