Support Kristi’s Cancer Battle Wishes

Kristi McAlister’s battle with Breast Cancer began in 2017. She did all the surgeries, chemo’s, radiations, and was finally feeling her best health-wise by August of 2020. Then, she had a couple of falls on the softball field and symptoms of a stroke landed her in the ER. No stroke, but it was discovered the breast cancer had metastasized to bones, making it Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer, incurable, but treatable . She’s been navigating this disease, the treatments and side effects that go along with it, all the while working and as she says, “doin’ the single momma hustle” since. Most people would never guess the battle she faces on a daily basis. She won’t let you see it. 

She begrudgingly decided to go on partial disability in 2023 due to treatment and side effects, but she continues to work part time at her beloved nonprofit, Positive Bright Start — many thanks to her favorite mentor and retired ED, Anna Jenny, who always ensured Kristi could work through treatments, had job security, had HEALTH INSURANCE. There’s no doubt that Kristi will continue to work until someone tells her she can’t (then will probably STILL continue to do so). She cannot make more than $1550/month or she loses disability, so her income is extremely fixed. Cancer has really kicked it up a notch the last few months, and many of you have asked how you can help aside from providing meals, and this is where we thought a GoFundMe was finally appropriate. 

Kristi’s biggest joy, as well as her biggest concern, is her children. Zakary (27) worked his tail off, earned his masters, is a homeowner, and a lovely man with a lovely girlfriend, Alexis. Alexis and her brother, Coleman, have become family. Jani (21) is finding herself and having difficulty lately dealing with the recent events and the mortality of one of her best friends, her momma. She does live in an apartment with amazing roomies and has a 529 thanks to her dad. Unfortunately, the biggest “logistical” impact will be to Carly (14). Carly and Kristi are also extremely close, as it’s just the two of them at home the last couple years, and because of the recent cancer progression, surgeries, mobility limitations, and events, Carly has been brought up to speed on the cancer and her mom’s mortality as well, along with Corpus Christi, who have provided the most amazing strength and wraparound support to Carly. We are forever grateful to them.

Kristi and her care team’s goal has been to make it to Carly’s high school graduation in 2028. Due to the cancer really ramping it up the last few months, causing an urgent hip replacement and multiple mobility limitations due to a tumor-ridden pelvis, Kristi is becoming more concerned about this goal. 

There are always new treatment options to try and miracles happen every day! She is in the middle of her second 30-day cycle of a very promising, new-to-the-market oral chemo, that thankfully has had VERY minimal side effects. But it could take time to get to working against the cancer, and time is not on her side. She also had some new concerning issues with what doctors think may be her left optic nerve, but they really need an MRI, which can’t be done until she has her 26 staples out from her hip replacement. She’s currently getting all the other testing that doctors have ordered while waiting for staple removal.

Kristi was optimistically planning to “skip” out of KU Med after hip replacement and 3-4 days in the hospital. Right before and during the surgery, Kristi’s orthopedic surgeon discovered all of the cancer of the pelvis. Kristi learned that “pelvis replacements” are not a thing. She also learned that she will NEVER walk unassisted again. She had an extended stay at KU Med, then was transferred to LMH Acute Rehab, then insurance kicked her out of there after a week (because she walked too far in a walker), then she transferred to Home Health (she calls it “House Arrest”), then she’ll move to Outpatient Rehab. She plans to do “all the things” and adapt to their new life and challenges, while continuing her cancer battle. WHEW!!

So many of you have asked how you can help, aside from the Meal Train. Kristi's family has been able to help her with many expenses over the years, and many of you have helped recently with her needed adaptive equipment, and we are very grateful for that.

Kristi‘s biggest wish is an education/529 account for Carly. We are not Catholic, but we have seen Carly lean into her Catholic faith at Corpus Christi the last 12 months and during this difficult time. Carly goes into high school this fall and strongly wishes to continue her Catholic education at Hayden Catholic High School, with her class. Carly has been awarded a $4500 scholarship from Hayden and a $500 scholarship from Corpus Christi, which will cover HALF of her freshmen year.

Kristi’s wish is to raise funds to cover the balance of Carly’s freshmen year tuition, and any additional will go towards her sophomore, junior, and senior years. And because she is an extreme optimist, anything over that will go into a 529 college fund for Carly.

***IF YOU’D LIKE 100% OF YOUR DONATION TO GO TOWARDS CARLY’s EDUCATION FUND (no GFM fees), PLEASE CHOOSE VENMO: 

Pat McAlister @Patricia-McAlister-3 

WE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO ADD YOUR NAME AND AMOUNT MANUALLY TO THE GFM GOAL!!!!  

Please indicate if you’d like to be listed ANONYMOUSLY***

We appreciate any amount you’d like to give, even $10. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.

Join Kristi’s Army to follow her journey, complete with humor galore:

https://www.facebook.com/share/kJGNYh7CKF9P7itm/?mibextid=K35XfP

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Pat McAlister 

Kristi McAlister

Anne Meyer

Suzi Teegarden

& Family