I am starting this GOFundMe page for my sister who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer which has, unfortunately, metastisized to her lungs. She is employed at a clinic but is unable to work due to her cancer diagnosis. Her inability to work is attributed to her immunocompromised state, meaning her immune system is unable to fight off infections a healthy individual can. She has exhausted her FMLA and short term disability.
Kristi Tarnowski is a 51 year old, mother of two, who is married to her high school sweetheart, Tom. She also is a grandmother of two, Alexander and Silas. Her family is the very reason for waking each morning to battle the ugly monster known as cancer. It is her love for her family and friends that has provided the fuel for the difficult battle she has begun.
A few of Kristi's favorite sayings are "This to shall pass" and "Things could always be worse". During this trying time of battling cancer she continues to maintain a positive outlook and recite these sayings.
Kristi and I have become very close in the last 3 years due to our mother unexpectedly passing away. The fact we have become close, even best friends, has made it much more difficult to face the reality that I could lose her. It breaks my heart. I cannot imagine my life without her. The mere thought of my brother-in-law, nieces, and great nephews loosing her is unimaginable. The thought makes me feel as though my heart has been shattered into pieces too small to be put back together again.
Kristi's battle with cancer started in September 2015. During a routine screening colonoscopy a tumor was discovered. Dr. Hiuser took a biopsy and sent the specimen for testing. Unfortunately, the biopsy results indicated cancer and a surgery date was set. On October 8th, 2015 she underwent a sigmoid colon resection. This surgery is performed by making an approximatley 6-8" incision and removing approximately 10-12" of her colon and the surrounding tissue. The tissue was sent to lab for analysis which later revealed the cancer was also present in the lymph nodes. A PET scan was conducted and revealed the cancer had metastasized to her lungs. On November 6th, 2015 she began IV chemotherapy. She has chemo once every two weeks via IV and via pump for 48 hours after chemo. To maintain her hydration she must also received IV fluids every other day for a week following chemo. On November 24, 2015 her WBC count dropped to 800. A WBC in a healthy individual is 4500-1100. This dangerous low WBC resulted in a hospital stay over Thanksgiving receiving IV fluids and antibiotics. Kristi still kept a positive attitude stating, "Well, I didn't have to cook or do dishes".
After the holiday hospital stay Dr. Rudder ordered IV fluids during her treatment weeks and daily Neupogen injections. Neupogen is a medication which helps her body make WBC. This means that Krisiti only has four days every two weeks in which she does not have to report to the hospital
On January 5th, 2016 Dr. Rudder ordered a CT scan of her chest. The results showed the tumors had not shrunk. Dr. Rudder then added another chemo drug bringing the total to four. This new drug helps the tumors to become more vascular which increases the amount of chemo absorbed. With the tumors absorbing more chemo they will hopefully begin to shrink.
The chemotherapy has changed her life in many ways. She and her husband love to fish. Rain, shine, summer or winter. They are out every weekend, with their dogs, from dawn until dusk. It doesn't matter if they don't catch a thing. They simply LOVE to fish. Unfortunatley, the chemo has not only wiped out her WBC but desire to fish with her family. Chemo has also produced the nasty side effect of an inability tolerate the cold. This means nothing cold to drink, eat, and the inability to remove items from the fridge or freezer with her bare hands.
Your generous donations will be used to help pay for medications, hospital bills, groceries and other daily living expenses that have become overwhelming due to the loss of her pay checks.
Our family thanks you in advance for your kinds words and donations. We are forever grateful and cannot express how thankful we are that there are kind and generous people still remaining in this world. Also, it is just as important to send words of encouragement and to keep us in your prayers. This is a vital part in keeping Kristi positive so she may fight hard every day! We thank you and are forever indebited to you. God bless.
Above -Kristi with her Grandsons
Below - Kristi and Tom at a Minnesota Vikings game
Kristi with her youngest grandson
The puppies who take very good care of Kristi-Thumper, Bella, Lilly and Gracie
Kristi's oldest grandson fishing