We're raising money to help cover the rehab required for mother of three Chrissy following her urgently required high-risk surgeries.
Waikato
Chrissy is a working mother of three (two boisterous boys aged 9 and 6 and an eight-month-old girl). Chrissy suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a type of arthritis for which there is no cure. It causes long-term inflammation of the joints of the spine, and over time has led to her spine and pelvis fusing. Movement is limited, her spine hunched, and she lives in constant agony and fatigue. Orthopaedic surgeons have recommended urgent but risky surgery to help Chrissy regain her mobility, independence and quality of life. Without surgery, Chrissy’s AS will only get worse, and she could lose the ability to walk altogether, while the likelihood of dying from circulatory or other severe disease increases dramatically.
The Orthopaedic surgeon is planning two surgeries, which if successful will allow Chrissy to regain considerable movement and an improved curvature of the spine. But they come with significant risks, such as paralysis, and between them require 24 weeks of recovery.
While Chrissy has the support of a dedicated fiancée Matt, their family and friends, during her recovery, the family will be down to roughly one-quarter of their normal income (Matt will receive some financial assistance to care for Chrissy for 12 of those 24 weeks). Matt currently does most of the cleaning, cooking and day-to-day chores to keep the family afloat, as well as working full-time.
It will be a huge struggle financially for them, on top of the pressures of family life and helping Chrissy rehabilitate. Even once Chrissy has recovered it will be some time before she is able to return to the job she loves at Spark (a career spanning 13 years).
The family are looking for help to cover the 12 weeks of reduced income. Any help you can offer would be gladly received by Chrissy, Matt and their three children.
You can also follow along Chrissy's 'adventure' on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChrissysASadventure
Due to Chrissy's condition and having her hands full with three children, I've offered to help my friend and her family run this campaign on her behalf.
Funds raised will specifically help cover the costs of:
* Chrissy's partner Matt taking unpaid leave from work to care for Chrissy in her recovery
* Special equipment required to aid in rehab
* Rehab costs due to being declined ACC cover
Chrissy has had her first surgery 6 March 2019
Chrissy's surgery date got moved forward to Monday.
She had some complications getting the breathing tube down her throat due to the curvature of her spine, but they got there in the end. After a gruelling 10 hours+ the first part of the first surgery has been completed.
Chrissy spent the first night in ICU. Chrissy is in and out of sedation, relying on breathing apparatus' to help her while she recovers from her surgery. She is bruised and battered, in the doctor's words, "she will feel like she has been hit by a bus or freight train."
If all goes well they will be looking at taking the breathing tube out today and will require a short surgery to do this. Chrissy is strong and she in good spirits, shes in the right hands and supported by Mum Julie and fiancee Matt, who is in awe of the surgeons and nurses that are constantly looking after her well being. Massive thanks to the team at Waikato Hospital and all the love and support Chrissy and the family have been getting on her facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChrissysASadventure/
Here's a photo of Chrissy (pre-op) :-)
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
Saving a blank entry will delete the current comment.