Help Kirstie get back on her feet
Kirstie needs help to get her life back after a severe and debilitating back condition crippled her life.
Nelson / Tasman
Our daughter Kirstie first became unwell 8 years ago at the age of 32 with chronic pancreatitis.
Kirstie was unable to return to work and had to move back home so that we, her Mum and Dad, could care for her.
About 2 years ago she developed a further debilitating and painful condition known as adult onset scoliosis (curvature of the spine).
Kirstie's condition progressed much faster than normal. As Kirstie's spine began to curve, the nerves to her legs became compressed causing shooting pain down both legs. Also, as her centre of gravity shifted so quickly, she began to fall on an almost daily basis, suffering other injuries to contend with. One fall in particular resulted in four broken ribs.
Kirstie now has a 65 degree curvature which is classed as severe. This condition may become life-threatening as it starts to affect her major organs.
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Her mobility is now so severely restricted that she requires a walker or crutches on a daily basis.
She has become really incapacitated with pain and deformity and her situation is deteriorating daily.
Long awaited news of major spinal surgery in September has given Kirstie some much needed hope of "getting her life back".
Kirstie is a brave young woman whose life over the past 10 years has been "a real pain". As Kirstie said recently on her 40th birthday "I missed out on my 30's - I just want a chance to make up for that".
This surgery could be life-changing for Kirstie and hopefully help make her life relatively pain free.
A little help with the costs associated with surgery and her lengthy rehabilitaion would certainly help Kirstie in her goal of "having a life worth living".
We'd love to see Kirstie regain her former zest for life, be able to get out with some of her friends again, develop her passion for photography and step back into the world!
It has been heartbreaking to see Kirstie's deterioration over the past few years - going from a vibrant, hard working, well travelled young woman with so many dreams for her life, to someone struggling to cope with pain, trying to hold on to hope and the few areas of independence that she has left.
We would so love you to join us in supporting Kirstie's journey back to health.
Gill Bartlett's involvement (page creator)
We, Gill and Neil, are Kirstie's parents and are hoping to raise funds to help Kirstie's recovery and rehabilitation.
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Latest update
Kirstie's Second Chance 2 April 2016
We were all so excited when Kirstie came home from her spinal surgery in September. She was finally able to stand tall (with a little help from her crutches and of course – friends, family and her surgeons!). Kirstie was also relatively pain free for those first magical three weeks.
However, as some of you may already know, Kirstie’s freedom from pain and her ability to stand tall was over after a few short weeks. She was sadly bent almost double again. We were at a loss to know why and asked her surgeon at the two month post-op review to help because the initial x-rays showed nothing wrong!
A further CT scan then showed an unusual breaking down of her bones and significant movement in the metal supports for her spine. We were wondering what the large lump was at the base of her spine was! Aliens??
Apparently a substance (BMP) used in her surgery to help re-build her bones, had been working in the opposite way! It was no wonder Kirstie was experiencing such severe pain again!
Finally the surgeon decided that a second operation was necessary to re-do the surgery, replacing screws with bolts and hopefully addressing the bone erosion problem!
So... we’re off to Dunedin on Thursday 8th April for Kirstie’s second operation on Monday 11th with all our fingers and toes crossed. Sister Jenny is coming down in the first week to help while Neil will continue to keep the home fires burning back in Nelson. So if you’re in Dunedin in two weeks time, cheery faces would be welcomed!
This time round we’re hoping that Kirstie will be discharged straight back to Nelson hospital to help manage her after-care more closely.
Kirstie’s courage has been sorely tested with having to be confined to a wheelchair or bed for the past six months with daily pain wearing away at her determination to get well.
We have been so grateful to so many of you to help get us through this difficult time. To those of you who have connected with Kirstie on Facebook, sent messages or popped in to support, distract and encourage her, please accept our grateful thanks. It really does take a “village” to help get through difficult times!
Life has been a real challenge for Kirstie for almost nine years now and we know that Neil and I will continue to support Kirstie and “be there” for her all the way.
We’re hoping that with a little help, we can continue to be right alongside Kirstie to help her find the light at the end of this rather scary tunnel!
So ...... if you could find it in your hearts to add just a little to Kirstie’s givealittle fund to help with this second surgery, we would all be sooo grateful!
Please wish Kirstie luck on her Facebook page too!
Aunty Jenny will hopefully post updates on Facebook for us after Kirstie’s surgery.
Thank you again.
Gill and Neil and Kirstie B.
Latest donations
Thank you so much for your kindness and good wishes. It really does make a difference to know that we have such wonderfully caring friends. Things can only get better! With love and thanks, Gill and Kirstie from Dunedin. Neil from Korepo Road!
Dearest Gabriela You have been here with us in many ways -we have often felt your strength, love and light and have been reassured. Often with you in thought. Thank you for your kindness. See you soon . with love Gill and Kirstie and Neil
You are amazing! Thank you! Very touched! See you soon. G&K ( &N)
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