Kim Hilke Tauer Needs Your Help

Kim’s medical journey began in November 2019 when she contracted a serious disease called Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). CSF is where a leak spontaneously occurs caused by a tear or hole in the membranes surrounding the spinal cord which allows the clear fluid that surrounds and cushions those organs, to escape. The result was that her brain sagged from loss of spinal fluids causing extreme migraines, nausea/vomiting, and loss of vision and hearing at times.

Because Kim’s diagnosis was so uncommon, it took many visits to local emergency room before they referred her to a neurologist at United Hospital. After many MRI’s, various medications, high doses of caffeine pills, and a hospital stay at United Hospital January 16-19, 2020, neurologists unfortunately concluded the disease was beyond even their expertise.

Kim was finally referred to a Mayo Clinic affiliate in Menomonie, Wisconsin in late February of 2020 for more testing and she finally began to get some answers. In March, she was sent to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota who specializes in rare diseases and complicated procedures. They performed a CT Myelogram, diagnosing her with CSF. On March 10 they did a spinal tap blood patch to stop the leak of fluid from T10 in her spine. However, after a few weeks it became evident that her treatment had failed, and she would need a more invasive surgery to correct the issue.

Due to Covid-19, Kim was forced to wait until May 27 to have the corrective surgery performed, cutting thru her spine and leaving her with 12 staples along her spine to hold the tissue together. It is the doctor’s hope that the surgery will fix the issue and the headaches will eventually dissipate. If it doesn’t, she could face debilitating migraines, and even be susceptible to meningitis and seizures in the future.

Kim is the hardest worker in the room. Those of us lucky enough to currently work with her at Minuteman Press Hudson and Bob & Steve’s BP Stations know. She has loved working at print companies in the bindery and finishing area, including Resco Print Graphics, Shutterfly, RESCO Company and Helmer Printing. This December and January she continued to work thru the pain. But by mid-February the headaches were so intense she had to stay home so she could lay horizontal - the only way to lessen the pain ever so slightly.

Part of Kim’s heartbreaking story is that her parents have both passed away, who would have been a stabilizing force for her thru all of this. She is grateful for her husband, Jon, and her siblings who have helped her through appointments for her 7 MRI’s, numerous x-rays, CT scans, multiple trips to St. Paul and Rochester, and 6 scary ER visits.

At 34 years old she is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet and is usually busy caring for others rather than herself. Although she is a quiet, unassuming person she is truly loved by all who meet her. Kim loves animals and has many cats, dogs, and even chickens. She graduated from Hudson High School, currently lives in Beldenville, WI and originally hails from Barron WI.

For a young girl who weighs only 99 pounds, she has gone thru a lot in her life but still has a heart that is bigger than most. Kim is quickly approaching 6 months without working at either of her jobs, making her financial hardship deeper. It is for this reason our hearts are heavy and ask for your donation to help with Kim’s unsurmountable medical expenses.