Erin needs your help!

Please take a moment to read Erin's story as explained by her husband, Kevin and her sister,  Leigh.

Hello,

 

My name is Kevin Christensen.

 

In January of 2021 my wife Erin, age 44,  began to have unusual health issues. There were a lot of doctor appointments and emergency room visits throughout that year. We struggled to determine the cause. She suffered mainly from back pain and in October she underwent a discectomy. Days later Erin underwent a second emergency discectomy due to pain.

 

Her back improved but the underlying symptoms did not.

 

Early in the summer we contacted the Mayo Clinic because of Erin's health issues. In November, after spending nearly a week in Rochester, Erin learned that her diagnosis was Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that has spread to her spine and hips.  She is currently undergoing treatments including chemo medication and is also interested in integrative medicine treatments.

 

We have three children, ages 10, 11 and 13. They are good kids who are doing the best they can to understand what their mother is going through.

 

Before we learned about the cancer, Erin owned and operated a hair salon. Shortly after her diagnosis, and due to the debilitating pain, she made the difficult decision to sell the salon to focus on her health.

 

Which brings this back to me and why I am writing to you. I am 3rd generation steelworker and I'm not afraid of a hard day's (or night's) work. I continue to work and get paid but the strain of losing our second income and the extraordinary costs of healthcare have left me with little choice but to reach out to my friends, my family and my community for help.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read and share our story, and for any help you can provide.

 

Sincerely,

Kevin Christensen

 

 

Hello,

 

My name is Leigh Janssen and Erin is my little sister.

 

The diagnosis we received at the Mayo Clinic in November was a complete shock. Erin entered the Mayo clinic to see doctors specializing in Fibromyalgia due to the way her symptoms were presenting. We assumed we would learn of an auto-immune condition that could be corrected or managed, with a return to full health. To hear “stage IV cancer” was the last thing we expected and, as you can imagine, we are all still reeling from the news.

 

Erin is strong and ready for this fight. She is following the guidance of many oncologists and their partnering specialties, and, to date, these treatments are working as hoped. Additionally, she spends time researching alternative ways to improve the expected results of the various medicines she has been prescribed. In 2022, there are more and more ways to battle this disease and Erin is not one to wait for someone to bring those to her – she is defining her own recovery. With those treatments come costs, but we all believe that when something tragic happens to a loved one, you find ways to make miracles happen.

 

The day-to-day expenses of the family are a burden at this time too. The loss of Erin’s income is stressful but necessary at this time to ensure she can maintain and improve her condition.

 

One thing you should know about Erin…asking for help is tough. She is not one to request support from others as she has always been an independent and self-sufficient person. She would give or do anything for anyone, but to ask for herself is out of character. This important request for assistance comes after much consideration and discussion concerning immediate and future needs for her health and the wellbeing of her family. Your generosity is appreciated more than you will ever know.

Thank you.

 "Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness."

- Dalai Lama


The two things you can do TODAY to help Erin: 1- give what you can and 2 - share this gofundme link. 
Thank you for your help!