Kaitlynn's Kause
Donation protected
Almost a year ago our beautiful, kind, smart daughter began having "episodes" of severe chest pain several times a day. Her only health issue up until this point had been some childhood asthma and stomach issues.
None of that could have prepared us for the last year. Since last April we have spent countless days in doctors offices both in Northern Colorado and in Denver. We have made several trips to the emergency room. Kaitlynn has had multiple procedures & tests to rule out all possible causes of the chest pain. She has become numb to the needles they insert to draw her blood. All the while she has patiently waited for someone, anyone to tell her what is wrong and why she is having this chest pain.
A few months after getting sick it became obvious to her that no matter how hard she tried, she could not make it through a day at school. It started out as missing a few classes, moved to only being able to attend a few classes and finally realizing that she could no longer attend regular school like all of her other friends. This was not how she dreamed her senior year of high school would be. The bubbly, vibrant, outgoing young woman who loves fashion became the girl who was unable to get dressed many days. She was forced to enroll in online school & quit her part time job at Old Navy.
During the summer I took a promotion at another company and finally felt I had some direction in my career. With the change in job we were presented with the challenge of maintaining our prior medical insurance under Cobra. We all know how difficult that can be. Still we continued to search for some answers. In August we spent a week at Children's Hospital in Denver, still no definitive answers. It was at this time we found out that our daughter had a condition called MEN1. It is a disorder in your endocrine system that makes your body produce more hormones than your body needs or can use. The surplus ends up creating tumors in either your pituitary gland, parathyroid glands or your pancreas. Her mom, my wife, has had this disorder for several years and knew these tumors can be cancerous.
Our daughter was now faced with the fear of having parathyroid surgery. A surgery that for all intensive purposes would do nothing for the chest pain. Bravely she went through the surgery in September, spending yet another week in the hospital. Before leaving the hospital we were able to convince the doctors to perform a cat scan of her chest. The scan revealed a mass in her chest. Still recovering from the previous surgery we now had to prepare for another, more invasive surgery. With mixed emotions we were relieved that the doctors finally found something that may be the cause of her chest pain. Another surgery performed, another week spent in the hospital and we were sent home with no definitive answers. Kaitlynn is home now, recovering from multiple surgeries, no change in her chest pain and no answers.
As you can imagine even with good insurance the medical bills have piled up. I know this weighs on her heart. Her mom and I are still holding out hope that the worst days are behind her even if we still have more questions than answers. Most of all our family could use your prayers. If you happen to feel lead to donate to her cause that would be very much appreciated. Either way may God bless your family, we still believe he has blessed ours.
None of that could have prepared us for the last year. Since last April we have spent countless days in doctors offices both in Northern Colorado and in Denver. We have made several trips to the emergency room. Kaitlynn has had multiple procedures & tests to rule out all possible causes of the chest pain. She has become numb to the needles they insert to draw her blood. All the while she has patiently waited for someone, anyone to tell her what is wrong and why she is having this chest pain.
A few months after getting sick it became obvious to her that no matter how hard she tried, she could not make it through a day at school. It started out as missing a few classes, moved to only being able to attend a few classes and finally realizing that she could no longer attend regular school like all of her other friends. This was not how she dreamed her senior year of high school would be. The bubbly, vibrant, outgoing young woman who loves fashion became the girl who was unable to get dressed many days. She was forced to enroll in online school & quit her part time job at Old Navy.
During the summer I took a promotion at another company and finally felt I had some direction in my career. With the change in job we were presented with the challenge of maintaining our prior medical insurance under Cobra. We all know how difficult that can be. Still we continued to search for some answers. In August we spent a week at Children's Hospital in Denver, still no definitive answers. It was at this time we found out that our daughter had a condition called MEN1. It is a disorder in your endocrine system that makes your body produce more hormones than your body needs or can use. The surplus ends up creating tumors in either your pituitary gland, parathyroid glands or your pancreas. Her mom, my wife, has had this disorder for several years and knew these tumors can be cancerous.
Our daughter was now faced with the fear of having parathyroid surgery. A surgery that for all intensive purposes would do nothing for the chest pain. Bravely she went through the surgery in September, spending yet another week in the hospital. Before leaving the hospital we were able to convince the doctors to perform a cat scan of her chest. The scan revealed a mass in her chest. Still recovering from the previous surgery we now had to prepare for another, more invasive surgery. With mixed emotions we were relieved that the doctors finally found something that may be the cause of her chest pain. Another surgery performed, another week spent in the hospital and we were sent home with no definitive answers. Kaitlynn is home now, recovering from multiple surgeries, no change in her chest pain and no answers.
As you can imagine even with good insurance the medical bills have piled up. I know this weighs on her heart. Her mom and I are still holding out hope that the worst days are behind her even if we still have more questions than answers. Most of all our family could use your prayers. If you happen to feel lead to donate to her cause that would be very much appreciated. Either way may God bless your family, we still believe he has blessed ours.
Organizer
Bridget Ramsey
Organizer
Loveland, CO