Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out on behalf of my amazing twin sister, Bridgette. As many of you know, my sister has been bravely battling chronic and complex medical conditions since 2020. What most people don’t see is the relentless, exhausting reality behind the scenes. She has countless appointments, treatments, procedures, and the daily effort it takes just to get through each day with a body that constantly fights her.

 

Her life has become a full-time job managing her health: strict medication routines, special diets/formulas, home treatments, tracking symptoms, watching for complications, and coping with extreme fatigue. Even the simplest tasks, like showering and getting dressed or making food can often require careful planning and long recovery periods. It’s exhausting: physically, emotionally, and mentally.

 

Unfortunately, some of Bridgette’s health has worsened and she is looking at a tough road ahead. She’s now facing several major surgeries, all of which are necessary for her health and long-term survival.

 

Here’s what’s coming:

 

•Cervical spine surgery: She has multiple bulging disc, some of which requiring a disc replacement or fusion. On top of that, she has a bulged disc in her lumbar spine that’s causing significant daily pain and further complicating her mobility.

 

•Trips to Seattle (6 or more needed trips) for a surgery to implant a gastric stimulator, which is placing a device similar to a pacemaker on her stomach to hopefully help improve her debilitating gastroparesis symptoms.

 

•A tubal ligation (surgery to remove fallopian tubes) -this decision has been extremely difficult for Bridgette and Caleb however due to her health risk it has become medically necessary.

 

•A colectomy (removal of her colon). They are hoping to delay it as long as possible, but if upcoming tests show urgent issues, it will be removed as soon as possible.

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•Feeding tube (GJ replacements) this happens every 3months —Due to Bridgette’s anatomy this procedure requires full general anesthesia each time.

 

All of these surgeries are performed under general anesthesia, and with each one her risks increase. She has severe allergies to certain anesthesia components, which adds an extra layer of danger every time she goes under. On top of that she’s on immunosuppressants, which means every hospital visit puts her at high risk for catching infections or other illnesses that her body may struggle to fight.

 

 

Bridgette and her husband have fought so hard to manage this on their own but now, they’re stretched beyond their means. He’s been her rock, working full time and caregiving around the clock, along with her still working more than her health can handle, but they need our help.

 

Many of these surgeries require extended stays, unpaid time off, caregiver support, and out of state travel. Flights, lodging, uncovered medical costs, and so much more the financial burden is crushing to them.

 

If you’re able to give anything — every dollar truly helps — it will go directly toward her medical and travel costs. And if you can’t contribute financially, even sharing this message or sending a kind note makes a difference. Just knowing they are not alone means everything to her.

 

We’re not sharing this to alarm anyone, but because the reality is: this is a fight for her health and quality of life. She’s still fighting with everything she has, and we’re trying to support her the best we can.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read, support, and care. It truly means more than I can say. Please keep her in your thoughts and if you have any questions, I’d be happy to share more.

 

With gratitude,

Brianna