First off, we’d like to say thank you for taking the time to read this as it’s not easy for Cris and me to ask for help. We are so very grateful for your time.

As most people know, Cris has been sick since 2022. Doctors believed it was due to her lupus. Symptoms were stroke-like: losing use of all of her left side, vision issues, dysphasia, nausea, vomiting, pain, and constant headaches. After some testing, they soon realized she had inflammation of the brainstem. Still thinking it was her lupus, that’s exactly what she was treated for in early 2023. She seemed to get weaker, and her dizziness was off the charts. She was treated for vertigo, but nothing helped at this time. She had already had two hospital stays and two rehabilitation days. By May 2023, she could no longer swallow and had lost so much weight. She was admitted to the hospital for the third time, with doctors questioning all symptoms, not one of them knowing what this inflammation was from, which prompted a spinal tap to test for cancer and other inflammatory diseases. During this stay in the hospital, Cris was placed with a G.I. tube so that she could receive hydration and nutrition; she would not be able to survive without it. She weighed 80 pounds at this point. A central venous catheter was placed so that she could receive plasmapheresis treatments as well. Weeks later, Cris came home with the G.I. tube and catheter still in. She received many outpatient plasmapheresis treatments and finally was called with a diagnosis.

Diagnosis: Neurochondrin neurological autoimmunity.

Basically, Cris’s body is creating bad antibodies, which are slowly eating away the brainstem, causing her to lose all motor skills, have eye and vision abnormalities, dysphasia, and vocal paralysis. Unfortunately, this disease is so rare only eight people have tested positive and have been treated for it. Cris’s neurologists have been working with the Mayo Clinic on how to go about treatments and tests for this particular disease. There is no cure. Since the diagnosis, she has been taking two treatments so far. Inflammation remains, and she is now suffering from incontinence, using all of her strength and energy, and is in terrible constant pain but daily doing her best to perform speech therapy and physical therapy as she still can’t do it herself.

For our family, I resigned from my job in construction at the end of October 2022 and became a full-time caregiver paid by the state to take around-the-clock care of Cris. Our two children, who were both in high school at the time, both took on jobs to help financially. We also had three younger children to take care of. Cris did receive disability. Our two eldest were able to move out on their own. Cris and I have been able to pay rent and other bills since, but with Cris’s health issues, many things are not covered by insurance. We’ve exhausted any coverage for many neurological treatments, physical therapy, and equipment, to where she can no longer receive these without paying out-of-pocket. That’s not including daily vitamins, protein mixtures for weight gain, enemas, diapers, pads, wipes, chucks, and sanitization products for constant sterilization. As time passes, these medical bills are becoming too much to cover for our family. We can’t take out a loan as we are barely able to afford simple necessities for our children and home.

We are extremely thankful for our friends and family who have stuck around and have helped financially and morally through this hardship. We are indebted to you all. We love and appreciate you all. Funds will be used for all needs listed. Any amount you are willing to contribute is greatly appreciated. If you cannot contribute, just a quick share with friends and family will be greatly appreciated as well. Again, thank you for your time. Our family appreciates every second. Please keep our family in your prayers, but more than anything, pray for a healthy outcome for Cris. Our family needs her. She is the mother to all of our beautiful children, and I am so thankful to be her wife. Thank you very much.