On Friday, September 6, 2024, my husband, Loren Christensen, family and friends call him Duke, suffered an ischemic stroke. This rendered his left arm and leg motionless. By Sunday morning, he had regained a little motion in both his arm and leg. His neurologist was very pleased with what he saw and stated that Duke has great promise of recovery, but it could take 6 months to a year. Also, his fine motor skills are going to be the hardest to recover; however, Duke is very determined to make a full recovery!

To understand Duke, I need to tell you a back story. We were married on June 12, 1999. In July of 2000, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Spinal Stenosis. By 2006, I was almost wheelchair-bound. I received a steroid treatment which helped me to recover quite a bit and return to working part-time. He has always taken great care of me and our 7 children to the best of his abilities. Even during a 4-year lay-off hell between 2004 and 2008, we found ways to make everything work. By 2016, I had to end my employment as MS had put me on a roller coaster of good days and slow days, making me unreliable to an employer. Even still, we continue to do a lot of volunteer things for friends and family, putting our home life last.

Please believe me, it took me a long time to learn to ask for help because I have always been determined to push through and get things done by myself or with Duke. I know we will make it through this as we are fortunate enough to have a great support system. However, the reason I am asking for help is because in August I went in to see what was happening with my back and why I was in so much pain. My spinal stenosis is much worse, and I have a bulged disc to which they are treating me with physical therapy and possible surgery, but we won’t know until mid-October when I complete my 8 weeks of PT.

Our out-of-pocket family cost is $11,200. Duke’s is going to lose 40% of his wages which means there will be no room for extra bills in this house. I do not have the ability to become employed because of my own disabilities to pick up this slack, nor will we be able to afford any equipment that is not covered by insurance.

If you could please share our story, it would mean the world to us! If you can donate, no matter the amount, great or small, every dollar will be appreciated from the bottom of our hearts! Duke has always taken care of me, please help me take care of him now.

Thank you so very much for taking the time to read our story.