Hello friends and family...I have started this funding event to help support Chris Schalberg and myself while we navigate his post surgery recovery after his right kidney is removed. We are both currently without income as I've been fighting to return to my life after a 20 month long battle with a terrible depressive episode, and after Christopher was diagnosed with a cancerous mass that has made a home in his kidney. Thankfully, his medical team found the mass after he suffered an abscess in his spine from an unknown case of osteomyelitis (a very dangerous bone infection spread through the bloodstream, from an open wound, that carries bacteria or fungi). The abscess showed up in the beginning of November and with it came enormous pain, leaving him unable to walk for two weeks and hospitalized for eleven days. Christopher also had a PICC line placed in his arm to receive intravenous antibiotics for 30 days, and is still taking oral antibiotics for an additional 90 days to complete treatment for the abscess. It was during his hospital stay for osteomyelitis that they found a cancerous tumor while he was having MRI tests. Surgery was immediately scheduled for January 20th. Unfortunately, the abscess left Christopher in great pain and unable to work during the short time leading up to his surgery date. The recovery from that alone can take up to six months. Now he has to finish recovering from that while beginning the six to eight week recovery from the removal of his kidney. I will be his caregiver. After the last almost two years of going through my own crisis that this amazing person saw me through, we decided I would take his role of caregiver and he would be the patient. Some of you may not know that this man exhausted himself physically, financially, and mentally to care for me during what was the hardest thing I've ever been through. He selflessly made sure that I was safe, had a home to share with him, and that all of my expenses were handled, as well as accompanying me to doctor visits, encouraging me to stop at nothing until we found out exactly what I was up against and he stood by me, un-faltering, through the whole thing, never flinching and never willing to give up until we finally conquered it. His presence and tenacity are huge factors that directly contributed to my success in surviving and now thriving. While I would love to get back to working, Christopher is now in need and I have committed myself to caring for him during this critical time and after. As most of you know, I am not one to ask for a handout or charity, but this is the best option for us as we have tried to contact a company that will compensate friends or family members who opt to care for their loved ones during such an event but they take a lot longer to set it up and require a lot of formalities to be met that we cannot complete by the surgery date. Those of you who know him know that Christopher has a heart of gold and makes a regular practice of helping anyone in need, no matter the situation or even if he knows them. There have been many instances where he has pulled over to help a stranger with car trouble and/or to help someone who is short on cash, even when he isn't exactly flush himself. He helps anyone who needs it and doesn't ask for anything in return. It is just his nature to be there for others. His heart is that of a giver, even in today's "different" social landscape. The old saying "He'll give you the shirt off his back" applies and that is a rare gift these days.

We aren't trying to come up or live beyond our means, we just need a little help to keep ourselves going during this medically necessary pause. In addition to sharing this news, we are also sharing the news that after the last almost two years of cohabitating and being close, we have reconnected in our personal union and are giving "us" another shot. We are clean and sober, very optimistic about our mental and physical health, and ready to begin really living again, together, simply needing a little bit of help right now. If all you can give is $5.00, it will be greatly appreciated and go towards covering our basic needs, such as living expenses and bills that fall into that category like rent, utilities, car insurance, gasoline for automobiles, telephones, food, etc. Please think about us and remember that we are good people who just need a little assistance right now. Thank you for taking the time to read this and please consider giving. We are the Schalberg's and we're a good cause!

Sincerely grateful,

Krissy & Chris