Jennifer Kramel, Rescue Advocate, Brain Surgery
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Jennifer Kramel is a single mother to her 12-year old daughter, Danielle. She is an animal rescue advocate, who, for many years, volunteered her time not only taking in homeless dogs and cats, but also served as one of the initial volunteers for the Facebook based group, Gainesville Pet Finder, whose mission is to reunite lost pets with their owners. She personally went on numerous searches, responding almost immediately to lost pet sightings by going out all hours of the day and night to search. I met Jennifer on one of these searches for a dog who escaped from a car following a car accident. She made fliers, walked neighborhoods posting them, and constantly monitored the FB page for any recent postings and sightings. It was not unusual for her to walk the woods, or spend hours sitting in wait for a lost pet who was recently spotted. She maintained contact with owners, giving regular updates. Sadly, some of the lost pets were found deceased, and she also took special care in giving these pets proper burials. Many people in the community knew they could contact Jennifer for her help. A long time cat lover, she decided to embark on the massive undertaking of starting her own cat rescue, Gato Loca Cat Rescue. Most of the cats stayed at her home while awaiting adoption. She spent weekends at a local pet store holding her own adoption events. Gato Loca was in its infant stages when Jennifer started to feel ill. Each day was worse, and she suffered with excruciating headaches and extreme fatigue. She became sensitive to light and started having muscle weakness. Because she did not have health insurance, she delayed in seeking treatment, until one day the pain became unbearable, and she went to the emergency room. After numerous visits with no answers, she was finally diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, which would require surgery for removal and treatment. This was six years ago. Her recovery slow and not without set backs. However, she had a daughter to raise and pushed forward. She began a pet sitting business, Ned’s Nanny, named after my bull terrier Ned. Unfortunately, because of the long recovery, she was forced to abandon her dream of running a cat rescue, and she had to shut down her rescue. Several cats who were considered “unadoptable” due to various medical issues, became permanent residents in her home. It was then that she started working for me part-time. Because I have MS, there were times that I needed help with not only job-related tasks, but some household duties. She also took care of my pets during the day, treating them as her own! A few years ago, we “co-adopted” two senior dogs. With regular pet-sitting jobs, and the little bit of work she did for me, she was able to meet her basic needs - but nothing more. Her daughter’s needs and those of her pets, always came first. It wasn’t long after her surgery, she started to feel bad again. But the episodes were sporadic initially, so she marched on, without medical care. For someone without insurance, medical treatments and regular care is often cost-prohibitive. She did her best...ate gluten free, drank only water and watched her diet. But more recently over the past year her symptoms became worse. Although there was a slight possibility her adenoma would return, she fully believed that she would get better. But she didn’t. A month ago, after going through the stress of a sick dog, and the death of a cat, she finally “broke”. She was suffering with mental confusion, had muscle wasting, nausea and vomiting, and light sensitivity. She finally scheduled a doctor’s appointment, and upon receipt of her lab results last week, her health care provider called her and told her to go straight the emergency room. After more lab studies, she was admitted to Shands Hospital. On March 7, 2019, she was delivered the news she dreaded to hear - the pituitary adenoma had returned. Pituitary tumors can wreak havoc on a body, specifically with hormone production, and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. She will now undergo a second surgery and possibly radiation. She has been unable to work, or continue pet-sitting. It is unknown how long her recovery will be this time, but we are all hopeful this will be the final surgery. Jennifer is humble yet outspoken, but it IS very hard for her to ask for help. But that is exactly what she needs right now. She is in the process of filing for Medicaid, and a friend is assisting her file for medical disability. Unfortunately, this will not happen overnight. On her behalf, I am asking for your help. She has been a friend for many years, and is someone who I trust wholeheartedly with my pets! If you are so inclined, a donation to this fundraiser for medical treatment, would be greatly appreciated - no amount is too small!
Dealing with this diagnosis and the unknown is very stressful. The added stress of losing her income during this time, is not going to help her healing process. I would like to offer her some kind of relief and help give her hope for the future. Thank you for your consideration and kindness!
Organizer
Coleen Tomlinson Cox
Organizer
Alachua, FL