Fund Chantelle's Lifesaving Treatment

What is CRPS and how does it affect Chantelle?

Click the link below to find out:

https://youtu.be/5jWjL80e6rA

Allow me to introduce myself and share why I'm reaching out for help. My name is Chantelle, and for the past 12 years, I've been married to an incredible man named Shane. We began our journey in Utah, and soon after, our son Ryker came into our lives. It was then that we realized the importance of securing a stable future for our family. When a job opportunity in Washington that could support us presented itself, we knew we had to seize it.

With my work history and experience, Shane and I decided that I would work while he dedicated himself to caring for Ryker at home. However, just as Ryker was starting school and Shane was going to return to the job market, we faced a sudden hurdle. Rykers autism and other social challenges at school began to cause problems that meant Shane had to stay out of the workforce to be available for him, leaving me to shoulder the financial responsibilities alone for much longer than anticipated. During this challenging period, fate dealt us another blow — an unexpected work injury in April 2021.

That injury led to ankle surgery, a turning point that marked the beginning of a turbulent journey. By March 2022, I received the diagnosis of a rare and aggressive form of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), its origins uncertain between the injury and the surgery. This debilitating condition escalated, affecting my entire body and making eating nearly impossible due to complications in my core. Even liquids sometimes refuse to go down, and I endure days without nourishment.

As if that weren't enough, a diagnosis of cancer required a full bilateral hysterectomy, performed the Monday after Thanksgiving in 2023. While each surgical victory brought hope, recovery was fraught with setbacks. Three months of absence from work caused a financial hardship that I had almost managed to dig us out of, almost anyway, before an unexpected job loss sent us spiraling into financial uncertainty, compounded now by mounting medical debts.

Amidst these personal battles, I face yet another daunting challenge: the painfully slow process of navigating workers' compensation. It took over a year for them to acknowledge that my CRPS had spread to the other foot. How much longer will it take for them to recognize its full-body impact? Each bureaucratic delay intensifies the urgency, highlighting its deficiencies and my critical need for recognition, support, and swift action.

At 5'7" and 93 lbs as of this morning, my physical decline mirrors the weight of my struggles and the severity of the desperate situation my family and I are in. Adding to our challenges, Shane has been unable to find steady work over the last couple of years due to his 10 years of dedication to caring for Ryker, and his resume reflecting this gap in work history, compounding our financial strain.

Despite these overwhelming challenges, I refuse to surrender. I draw strength from the love for my family, and witnessing Ryker grow into a young man. While pride once fueled my ability to care and provide for them, it now weighs heavily as well as I watch Ryker grow up faster than he should have to as he witnesses my pain day in and day out.

I desperately need help. The medical bills are piling up, and our monthly bills are uncertain with the unexpected loss of my job. Most importantly, I need assistance with accessing ketamine treatments. There's an opportunity for a 2-week infusion treatment that could significantly alleviate the symptoms, side effects, and pain of CRPS. This treatment could potentially restore my ability to eat, regain weight and strength, and allow me to begin rebuilding muscle mass. More than anything, I long to regain my independence — to leave this wheelchair and play in the park with my son, take my dog for a walk, or simply drive alone without everyone worrying about what could happen.

I yearn to be the wife Shane remembers and the mom Ryker deserves. I ache to reclaim my life, to once again play the piano, dance, and rough house. I used to find joy in nature walks and hiking up canyons to savor breathtaking views, but now I struggle to even get out of bed on my own. I need help to make this change.

My story is not merely one of suffering, but a testament to resilience and an unyielding pursuit of justice and proper care. Time is of the essence, and I implore for assistance before it slips away from me. My plea underscores the critical need for advocacy and timely intervention in the face of severe medical and bureaucratic obstacles.

This is my life. Help me keep it.

I've outlined below how your donations will be used based on the estimated and current expenses I'm facing.

Ketamine Treatment

Ketamine Treatment, Estimated Total $11,100

Medical Bill Assistance

Oncologist (visits, dnc, leep, hysteroscopy, hysterectomy) $21,000

Medical Assistance Total $25,600

Standard bill catch-up and support

Total $11,400

Known Major Needs Total - (Medical Bills still coming in)

$48,000