Help Baby Bean walk again!
As some of you know, Caleb and I have had some hard times these past few years... (especially 2015) and many of you have asked how you can help. Well... Here's how!
3 and a half years ago I was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder that nearly took my life away from me. Follow up: after 3 major surgeries and a 5 week hospital stay, the Doctor suggested that we get a puppy to help with my recovery. This is when we met and took home baby Bean; a relentlessly playful, feisty, sweet baby dachshund. Bean often demanded that we get out and get fresh air, which was great because I was regaining the strength and muscles needed to walk. Little Bean’s antics and big snuggles kept me such good company as I was home unable to work or finish that semester of school.
In February of this year, Caleb and I found out we were expecting our first human baby. 13 weeks later, a sonogram showed us that our sweet baby’s heartbeat was no longer beating. Once again, through devastation, Bean’s emotional support and presence brought comfort for me physically, and also for both Caleb and I as we grieved.
In September of this year, we miscarried our second sweet baby… this time suffering through horrific pain. And again, Bean was very intentional about being by my side the entire time.
This past week, we came home from lunch after church and found Bean laying on the ground and screaming out. After an emergency trip to the vet, we learned that Bean is suffering from 2 ruptured discs in her back, which left her with extreme pain and no use of her legs. There are 2 options for recovery; 1) Cage rest for 8-10 weeks, which may provide temporary relief, but no long term quality of life. Back problems and paralysis are likely to resurface. 2) Back surgery to clean the discs on the spinal cord allowing her to walk and live as normal.
Constant heartbreak of seeing Bean in agony is almost more than we can bear, especially this year. Going through another loss would be devastating. We would jump at the idea of surgery in a heartbeat, but we cannot financially provide $4,000 upfront. Bean has about a week before her discs start to calcify, making it nearly impossible for surgery to be successful.
The Gilmores need a win. And we're hoping that you will consider being a part of our story in this way. Obviously any donation is appreciated... but for you people who like to break it down to numbers, if 100 people gave 40$, we would reach our goal very quickly!
From the bottom of our hearts, as weird as it feels to share our heavy story with the world and to humbly ask, we would be so appreciative of any help you could give to help our baby Bean walk and live.
Shalom,
Caleb and Kristi
