Kristi & Abbey's FIGHT 4 OUR LIFE!

Four years ago after decades of being told I would NEVER have a viable pregnancy and several miscarraiges- Abbey Grace was born on March 10, 2011.  Despite having over 26 tumors and cysts removed, malignant lesions on my left ovary, and no possibility of having a child ( so I was told).. She was conceived from that very left ovary that the Doctors said would NEVER be viable again, because it was only half of an ovary, and there was too much damage done to it through surgeries and difficult treatments.

Years later and MANY surgeries and medical disasters- I moved to Nebraska thinking I would have my daughter get to know her grandfather.. Within those few years and TWO years of hospital visits, and MASSIVE SEIZURES-local Nebraska hospitals were NOT able to find what was wrong with me-other than spinal conditions and lesions, MS, chrones disease, and the obvious issues from decades ago with the malignancies.

After a seizure in my sleep and complete paralyzation, loss of partial sight in my left eye, memory loss, and other issues with my body, that stopped me from functioning properly on a daily basis- I left and went to Rush Hospital in Chicago. They found over 121 Blood clots, and a "Cavernous Mass" in the frontal lobe of my brain, in addition to other medical issues that couldn't ALL be handled at once.  In order to get the mass to shrink, they had to remove the ribs on the right side (Thprasic Outlet Syndrome) of my chest that were causing MASSIVE AMOUNTS of blood to feed the mass into a vein on the LEFT side of my brain.  The Cavernous mass has since gone down to 4MM, but now, we are needing to finish the surgeries - and use the Marrow they harvested for transplants -and there's a very short time limit left to do this. After my most recent visit this past week and speaking to my Physicians at Rush Medical Center- this procedure was done and is necceasry to complete:
An autologous bone marrow transplant is when you have your bone marrow harvested and frozen (cryopreserved) for future use.  The longer it remains frozen the less likely it is that the stem cells will be viable.

I NEVER would reach out like this but at this point I am without the best insurance and need to move to Chicago to be near my hopistal, pay the medical fees, and FIGHT for my health for MY CHILD. NOBODY in my life even KNEW half of my struggles except my closest of friends. I am now down to 109Lbs and in four months have lost 35 lbs. My healthy weight should be around 133-139.

My move is scheduled for June 10th... and I must start treatments by the end of June... between schooling, the move, previous medical bills, medications, housing costs, and help for Abbey my expenses are WELL over $30K right now, which is muchly paid for- BUT NOW  I have over $200K-380K in hospital bills coming up of which 10% -20% have to be paid prior to the 2nd rib removal and marrow/stem cell placement. I am extremely humbled, grateful, embarrassed, and scared, and am simply believing in the power of God at this point. I love you all.. No matter what the future holds for me and my family.

At one time most of you knew about my clubs, and all of the fund raisers I did for the American Cancer Society,  (which was humorously written up in the Chicago Reader page 6 hahah).. OR  the playboy mansion tickets I would auction off for certain loved ones...Events I had at one of our favorite clubs- with a rider on each contract stating that those ceratin celebs had to donate their half- to their favoirte chairties.. Or sipmly the few dollars here and there we would never give a second thought- to giving to ANYONE, who needed it for ANY reason at all in the past.  We collected clothing from across the country for famlies flooded in The Colorado flood two years ago, with the help of AMAZING FRIENDS, collected toys, and had garage sales for famlies who were hit by tornadoes and fires... (a special thanks to Missy and Brett who packed the car so full I got pulled over twice) WE as friends provided so much for so many! IM SO PROUD TO HAVE SUCH AMAZING LOVING  FRIENDS!!!!

At This time in my life, because of the divorce - assets tied up-$200K in medical bills-  not being able to work full time due to this illness-going to school for counseling- and taking care of my daughter (WHO IS THE REASON IM ALIVE TODAY!) - I simply cannot afford to get out to Chicago permanently to my physicians and get the surgery without a little help. I guess I am Hoping that all good deeds dont go unnoticed ,and that people know my heart, and why I did what I did in the past... It wasnt because I wanted something in return.. It was because I believe EVERYONE needs a little help,  even from a stranger (in a dark club with a bunch of gay / straight  / silly / genrous / beautiful hearted besties hahaha) And that one day there WILL be a cure for ALL diseases that threaten our famliies!  Hopefully, once I'm back in Chicago, healthy and around my support system- I'll be ABLE to continue to fight for our communities with the help of my connections.

I am humble in asking for help, and embarrassed that I have to. But I DESPERATELY want to be well, and be there for ABBEY as she grows- AND NEAR MY FAMILY who is YOU- my friends of 30 plus years and new friends here locally... I want to play on the playgrounds with her, take her out and play all day, swim with all the kids, and ride bikes for MILES.. I dont want to deteriorate anymore ...and I guess this is my last and final option.. I wouldnt want anyone posting this on my behalf for this IS MY BATTLE.... and I KNOW how much love there is in God's children and my family of friends.

I just want to come home.. where I have the best supporters and the best doctors, and where Abbey will be loved no matter how I feel, or how long it takes for a cure and complete remission. This move, schooling,  and surgery could end up saving our future.... and I will work day and night to make sure Abbey's has comfort during this time.. Thank you for hearing my story even if a monetary gift cannot be given at this time.. Your Love is worth more than ANY paper could ever provide.

God bless and thank you for reading my story. Its the first time I've shared it publicly.

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK, PRINT POSTERS FOR YOUR OFFICES, AND/OR AHRE ON YOUR PAGES AND WEBSITES.. ANDY AND ALL HELP IS A BLESSING AND TRULY APPRECIATED!

DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO UPDATES, WE WILL BE POSTING UPDATES DAILY, AND/OR AS THEY COME IN FOR OUR PROGRESS! WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HELP AND INTEREST IN OUR FUTURE!


Kristi and Abbey