In June of this year, my sister, Kambree, was at work when she decided to listen to her own heart. (She’s an ER Nurse at Sanford in Bismarck.) While she was listening, she heard what sounded like a heart murmur. Being a nurse, she knew the importance of getting this condition checked out.

After a few appointments and some tests, it was discovered that she has a pretty significant 3-centimeter hole in her heart, which causes one side to be more than double the size of a normal heart and the other to be smaller than normal. They predicted she would have gone into heart failure within the next 10 years if she hadn’t caught it. Kambree is 25 years old.

After getting her diagnosis, the plan was to try and place a “dumbbell” device to essentially close up that hole by doing a less invasive surgery through a vein in her groin. After trying multiple sizes and placements during that procedure, they were unsuccessful in closing the hole.

Kambree was then told something no 25-year-old would want to hear… She would need to have Open Heart Surgery.

After many prayers, tough conversations, and decisions, she decided she wanted the best care and made the necessary decision to have her surgery at Mayo in Rochester, Minnesota.

Kambree is currently in surgery and I will be updating everyone as the day goes on.

I made this GoFundMe because this surgery is extremely expensive and the insurance they give people in the medical field should be criminal. She will have a long road ahead of her and will have to take at least 8 weeks off of work to heal. She’s in a career where she selflessly takes care of people that need her, being an ER nurse. She was also working as a CNA (a lot of that time in the COVID UNIT) while going to nursing school, where she only just graduated in 2023. I’m hoping we can raise money to ease medical bills and help with living expenses so she can focus her energy on healing and getting back to her young, healthy life.

We are also asking for as many prayers as you’re able to send up for our Kams. This year has been tough for our family, but God and all your prayers have made all the difference to us.

Thank you ALL

UPDATE: The surgery was successful and they are getting her settled in the Intensive Care Unit.

Praise god

UPDATE 11/6 2:10 pm

She’s stable and in her room. She’s in a lot of pain and they are having a hard time getting it under control. Prayers for some relief for her