Stand with Krista in Her Fight Against Cancer

On June 19, 2024 Krista was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and was admitted to Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital in Portland ER for rapid treatment. The news of this cancer was devastating for Krista and her husband Al, especially so as Krista had been fighting ‘HER 2 positive HR negative’ breast cancer for the last 2 years and had only just completed her third and final surgery for this illness on March 19, 2024. In September 2022 she had a double mastectomy, with 4 lymph nodes removed, only one month after she and Al were married. Following the double mastectomy Krista underwent 28 radiation treatments, and for one year was treated with a chemo medication called Verzenio from which she suffered some pretty unpleasant side effects. Nevertheless she continued working throughout her treatments.

For now Krista lives in the “14K unit” at OHSU Hospital while is undergoing intensive IV chemo therapy. Next week she begins oral chemo treatment. She has a long road ahead as she’s been told it will likely be a month before she’s released from the hospital. Following which she will be back and forth between home and hospital, for further months of cancer-fighting treatment.

Krista has lived on Mt Hood for the last 16 years and has worked at the Ratskeller in Government Camp for 13 of those years. She loves her job and her family at Skibowl. And, with husband Al, she loves their fluffy friends dog June and cats Kiki and Sir Pounce. She also enjoys the out of doors, hiking, golfing, working out, yoga, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Although she has insurance, Krista has a big deductible. There will be thousands of dollars of expenses her insurance will not cover.

It’s lonely and sometimes very scary facing so sudden and serious an illness again. The discomforts of symptoms and of nonstop chemo therapy at times makes it difficult to ‘stay strong and carry on’. Nonetheless she is doing just that. Krista’s a good and brave woman. We have faith that with the fine care she is presently receiving and with the loyal support of friends and family, she will, as her doctor predicts, be cured. Meanwhile, surrounded by never quiet monitors, i.v. tubes and over bright lights she is counting the days until she can return to the peace that is her little home in the big woods with Al and their 3 furry friends.

Thank you so much for your support. Any amount adds up!

If you feel more comfortable donating to her Venmo, you may do so @Krista-Blaser-1