OOur dear friend and co-worker Kristin lost her fiancé Bert on Thur, Mar 21st after 8 months of battling a rare case of cancer. Pheochromocytoma is an adrenal cancer in which only 2 out of every million people get each year.

When Kristin and Bert met in the early part of 2017 he was without a doubt the love her of life, or as she liked to call him… “my person”. 

Kristin and Bert loved spending time together whether it be traveling to AZ to see his son Joey, going to family gatherings, taking a weekend to visit their favorite “get away” in Big Bear, random camping adventures, cooking together, singing to each other (their favorite song was Tennessee Whiskey), and even pitched a tent in their living room. As long as they were together they were happy :)

In August 2018 Bert was diagnosed, and since that time it has been quite the roller coaster of ups/downs, steps forward and steps back.  Kristin was his primary care giver and was by his side EVERY step of the way and never missed an appointment or opportunity to be by his side.  There were numerous emergency room visits, late nights of waiting and wondering, many weeks of sleepless nights in the hospital by his bedside, numerous calls with doctors, and just the unknown.

Due to the type of cancer that Bert was diagnosed with he required a special team of doctors to help figure out the best treatment for his cancer; that team of doctors was located in San Francisco.  While in San Francisco, on Jan 25th he popped the question…”will you marry me” and it was an enthusiastic “yes” from Kristin. 

When Bert was home he needed around the clock care, so the decision was made for him to stay at his parents’ home in South Gate.  Kristin commuted from South Gate to Cypress daily and then to Long Beach to care for her babies Archie and Milo (her cats). This shows her commitment not only to Bert, but to her AppleOne team as well.

About a month ago, Kristin was told by his doctor’s that it was just a matter of time, then miraculously he pulled through and started getting stronger, we felt confident he was on a good path.  Well, Monday, Mar 18th she got a call from his kidney doctor that his kidney (he only had one from previous kidney cancer) was failing and there was nothing they could do to help him, and gave him no more than 2 weeks to live.  

The Cypress team is thankful for each and every one of you that has reached out to us with your condolences and your support is very much appreciated.  All of the phone calls and emails we have received have been relayed to Kristin and she feels blessed to have such a supportive work family.

During the last 8 months, she has exhausted all of her paid sick and vacation time, so to further support her we have set up a GoFundMe page.  Attached is the link if you would like to contribute, no donation is too small.

As someone who has worked closely with Kristin her entire time at AppleOne, I have to say it was wonderful to see the impact this man had on her and the joy he brought her.  I know Kristin is a better person because he was in her life.  

Funeral arrangements:

April 4th                5PM – 10PM       Viewing

Funereria Del Angel

8665 California Ave

South Gate, CA 90280

 
April 5th                9AM                      Funeral

Corazon y Santa Maria de Guadalupe

4235 Clara St

Cudahy, CA 90201

Love and blessings to each of you!