I'm on my way back down to Kristine's to help lift her spirits. She met with Dr. Paquette Monday and came home once again feeling defeated. I fear she is losing hope and possibly her will to keep fighting.
Her breathing is progressively becoming more and more laborious and her heart is trying to compensate for the lack of oxygen her body is getting, so Dr. Paquette has decided Kristine must undergo a 6 week blood filtering process. It's a 3 hour procedure that must be done twice a week on two consecutive days at UCLA Medical Center which is at minimum an hour away with no traffic.
The ongoing decline in her health is taking a toll on Kristine's spirits. She's stressed, tired and has not been feeling well the past couple weeks. She has taken a few spills (fallen) both in and out of the house as her body is becoming more and more weak and she isn't as steady on her feet as she used to be.
She's down to 108 pounds but looks as if she barely weighs 90 pounds. Some of her meds have a side effect which causes her skin to thin and this only adds to her look of frailty.
I know with all the help of friends and family, we can lift her spirits and bring back the fight in her.
Many of you have inquired on how you can help. Well, thanks to Dave's brother Sean, he put the wheels in motion for Dave & Kristine to hire a nanny as Kristine is no longer able to care for the kids when Dave is at work. With the medical bills piling up, there is little money left to afford nanny services.
The nanny is actually a very close friend of Dave & Kristine's. She's known them for years and has helped with babysitting the kids since they were born. She is able to work very flexible long hours and even overnight shifts when Dave must work a double.
Sean has helped Dave and Kristine set up a bank account at Bank of America so that anyone who wants to help subsidize these costs may do so, as this bank is easily accessible in almost all areas throughout the country.
If you would like to contribute in this manner, no matter the amount, it would be so very helpful! You may do so at your local B of A branch. Please email me for the account number at bbcsmom@gmail.com as you will need this info to make a deposit.
Kristine is meeting with the pulmonologist at UCLA this afternoon and I will provide an update afterwards.
Remember to sign the guest book and leave Kristine an encouraging message. Help bring back that fighting spirit we all know her to have.
Thank you all for stopping by this website to check on Kristine's status. I hope this message finds you and yours happy and healthy.
~Karen
P.S. Remember to utilize www.caringbridge.org for more updates. See previously dated message below for more info.
