Help for Karey Lynn's Beautiful Eyes

Thank you for taking the time to read this campaign for our dear friend Karey Lynn. For those who are not aware Karey was recently diagnosed with “Birdshot Chorioretinopathy” a rare condition that may eventually lead to complete vision loss.

While we are praying and being optimistic that Karey doesn’t lose her sight, the reality is that she has been trying to save her eyesight for the past 2 years. This is why we are now reaching out to our community for help. As of today, there is no cure for her rare condition. This auto immune condition is attacking her good eye causing her to see white light ,and at times she can’t see color contrast, making everything go dark. It’s hard for her to work, let alone see where she is going. In her younger years Karey lost sight in her left eye, but she never thought that she’d be here today, saving her only good eye.

Losing your ability to see will affect every aspect of your life, were talking about the most basic functions of survival are affected. The ability to work, make money, drive, read, see art, see your children marry, or just see their faces, maybe one day your grandchildren. Many of us will never have to face this kind of challenge in our lives, but our dear friend is. A single mother, concerned for her children. We are committed to helping in her time of need, not just now with this campaign, but for as long as she needs us.
 
Last year Karey had to reduce the number of hours she could work due to not being able to see. Imagine one day waking up thinking you may never see again. She is at the point where she’s coming to terms that this may be her reality. While the goal is to find a cure, her immediate needs are resources to help prepare for her future and minimize debt due to her medical bills. This month she  acquired good health insurance to help with the surgery and treatment plan, her best bet right now is stabilization. Between the costly insurance, surgery and months of being out of work she needs financial help. To give you some perspective, Karey worked 5 days in December, the busiest month in the service industry. We are looking to raise $20,000 by February 29th, 2020 to help her cover her basic life expenses, insurance, medical bills and stabilization treatment. If you have a few dollars to spare, please consider donating to her fund, it will really mean a lot to Karey and her family.

The Plan:

Her first surgery is on Monday February 3rd, 2020 at John Hopkins Hospital. The surgery will be on both of her eyes, the Doctor will be cleaning out debris while placing a valve and implant in her left eye. On her right eye, the “good” eye (the one we’re trying to save) the Doctor will be doing injections and replacing the lens.

There's already an implant in her left eye (its being replaced) and while steroids have helped with her vision, she can’t be on them forever, her body just can’t take it. This surgery is needed to restore the cloudiness in the eye. It’s a step in removing an obstacle to help get on track with stabilization. Earlier this year she was on immune suppression treatment, unfortunately her body did not respond well to the treatment. Her rheumatologist will have a new treatment plan in place for her after surgery to help prevent her eyesight from getting worse. Karey will be posting updates on her post surgery plan once she has recovered.

We are very grateful for every donation, large and asmall $10 or $20 donation will go far, as will every like and share you can offer. Karey is our kind loyal friend, she’s also an amazing Mother, Burner, Daughter and a Light in our lives. Please help our friend.

We love you Karey Lynn, we are here for you.

P.S. We have dedicated this years Love Burn pendent to Karey Lynn, every donor will receive a pendent as a small token of our appreciation.  Pendants will be shipped out in March 2020, please be sure to leave a mailing address with your donation. 

Surgery Update from Karey Lynn:

Surgeon is feeling optimistic about lens in right eye. They will be monitoring the left eye for signs of improvement.

Next appointment will be with a Neurological Opthamalogist  at John Hopkins. I was in the ER these past two weekends at Wills Eye Hospital for my eyes being dilated completely differently. In the ER they were checking for stroke, aneurysm and to rule out Horners Syndrome. Happily those were all ruled out but there is still an issue that needs to diagnosed through the Neurology Department.

I will be resting at home letting my eyes heal.

I did see the rheumatologist and will run my blood work and I have to determine between two at home injections and she feels I should go back on the  organ transplant  anti rejection drug. All of these drugs have terrible side effects that have to be monitored closely. As of today I am back on high doses of steroids orally and eye drops.

The good news is the surgeon is optimistic about the lens, the thing we are most worried about is the surgery signaling by body to send cells to deal with inflammation in my eye which causes more damaged tissues which would mean more sight loss. That is the focus  to make sure this doesn’t cause a huge flare in the autoimmune response.

To everyone who donated, called and shared the campaign, thank you from the bottom of my heart, it means the world to me

Karey Lynn