A Second Chance: Help Cover My Surgery Costs

PLEASE ASSIST CHRISTINE with emergency ANEURYSM SURGICAL costs.

THE GIRL ASKING YOU FOR HELP: I am a teacher, personal coach & USAT athlete. I have spent most of my life helping others learn how to live a healthy lifestyle! Part of this teaching is practicing what I preach, to be a visible role model for others. I have been blessed to be physically well, besides common multi sport injuries. They are temporary setbacks that only make you stronger. But when my life was suddenly threatened by a deadly internal flaw, I needed to ask others to help me. I pride myself in being self reliant, to never be a burden. I now realize that sometimes asking for help IS NOT A SIGN OF WEAKNESS, but can be an act of strength! It shows you realize that every now & then you need to ask others to step up. It provides an opportunity for growth & deeper self awareness. Plus you discover that people are still compassionate and want to help! SO, HERE I AM...HUMBLE, SEEKING SUPPORT FROM YOU...

THE EMERGENCY: Recently, specialists discovered two iliac artery aneurysms while they were scanning for a completely different medical issue. Thank God they were found, as these are known as silent killers. They can be discovered by accident when looking for something else entirely. This is exactly what happened. They were slowly growing for a while. Then suddenly they weren't. Expanding quickly, they became ticking time bombs.

THE RESOLUTION: I traveled to a Seattle vascular specialist in January for extensive emergency surgery. The plan was to replace a section of one artery, then inspect the other one for possible resolutions. My case was perplexing because the two aneurysm locations were on the same side, but different branches. The second one seemed to be deforming from the bulging artery and may not be repairable. The chief of surgery actually presented my case before an international board of surgeons for input. There was no single clear resolution, so the vote was to start with open aneurysm surgery and go from there.

Still recovering (physically and financially) from a total shoulder rebuild, this new medical challenge had to be tackled for survival. I'm still paying on the shoulder fix among multiple scans required to monitor the aneurysms. This was minimal compared to the price of such a rare, delicate procedure. If it is successful, routine imaging will be required to keep a constant eye on the repaired arteries.

THE SELFLESS HELPER: YOU. With your generous gifts, I may start the task of digging us out of this financial hole. Prayers for it to be 100% successful would be a gift as well! Your invaluable support can help me financially recover while I focus to physically recover. My energy can be turned from "how the heck will I ever pay this off?" to work hard on healing. Then I can return to my passion: education & empowering others to make healthy choices! Let's GO!

THE LESSON: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!!! Knowledge is power. If I had not pushed my doctors to research mystery pains, these damaged arteries may never have been discovered before they burst. If they burst, you only have minutes to live. MY POINT IS: if you feel that something is not right, listen to your body and find answers!! YOU know your body better than anyone else, but know when to seek help and find resolutions. You only have one life, one chance... so make the most of it.

Thank you so much for your time, empathy & priceless support!

Stay strong, healthy & happy!

Please enjoy this fun bio video:

https://animoto.com/play/0hFGuKIW8ltdmvY8ExVaYA

For details of my professional/racing background, you can check out www.ulbfitathletics.com.