- J
- K
Hi, my name is Katie and I'm fundraising for my sister, Karla.
It is with a heavy heart that I am requesting help for my loved one who has been diagnosed with TWO RARE DISORDERS; Dercum's Disease & Lipedema.
- Karla requires 3 surgeries that will remove painful lipomas and excessive toxic waste build-up in the lymphatic pathway of her body.
- Her Primary & Secondary Insurance have DENIED several applications for surgical therapies.
- Funds raised will go directly to travel costs, surgical fees and hospital stay fees as well as recovery/ hotel stay out of State.
It took years of medical visits, frustrating research and travel to specialists to discover why my Sister Karla was physically and mentally breaking down.
We couldn't understand why she was in constant physical pain, had abnormal skin growths and her legs and arms were swelling with marble-like, knotty painful tissue. It became increasingly difficult for her to sit, walk or climb stairs. She could not focus or recall words and sought every medical specialist possible. These disorders have left her physically and mentally disabled with an inability to enjoy a meaningful life.
As a Registered Dietitian who dedicated over 25 years working in healthcare herself, Karla became disabled and was devastated mentally, emotionally and financially after losing her career.
#Dercum’s Disease not only presents itself with painful and disfiguring lipomas, but it also continues to affect her cognitive ability to express thoughts and memory. Karla has painful lipomas throughout her body connected to nerve endings. Among other symptoms, the pain in the nerve endings is constant.
She also developed #Lipedema, a debilitating condition that affects the lymphatic and vascular systems, leaving excessive toxic fluid that is normally removed by the #lymphatic system.
The combination of both conditions is without a cure, they are also resistant to weight loss diet attempts and exercise and will if left untreated, lead to the development of further physical conditions that will require total bed rest and thereafter eventually a slow, painful death.
When she was first diagnosed she had stage 2 Lipedema,
she now has stage 3. If untreated, it will manifest into stage 4 and surgeons will be unable to correct these conditions.
The #Healthcare Industry is drastically behind the times when it comes to Lymphatic disorders. Minimal specialists are treating the conditions and mostly recommend conservative measures and pain medication.
This fundraising effort is so important to our family, as we have watched Karla struggle to have her medically necessary surgeries covered by insurance. She has applied for surgery with United Healthcare and Medicare several times, only to be denied. She has also contracted Lawyers and Insurance Specialists to help in the effort but has unfortunately been denied.
Your donation will go directly to surgery costs, flights out of state and lodging necessary for recovery after each surgery.
- A #Donation of any amount would truly help us reach her goal of having some quality of life and no longer living in chronic pain.
- #Share-It would also mean a lot if you could share my fundraiser link on social media. The more exposure we get, the faster we will reach our fundraising goal.
IF YOU COULD ALSO SPREAD THE WORD ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
With prayers and blessings, we know we can make this happen!
Thank you in advance for any kindness you may offer,
God Bless you for any help you are led to give.
Warmest Regards,
Katie Perdue and the Journey/DeBratto Families