Team Special K

Hi my name is Kristin, some call me Special K! I was diagnosed with Stage II Thyroid Cancer & unfortunately after surgery May 8, 2014 I had some major setbacks with another diagnosis that came on August 11, 2014 of having Vocal Cord Paralysis that impacts my ability to breathe & to speak in a normal collect tone. Unfortunately, this can happen to anyone when they go for surgery & are put under. Mine just so happened to be when they took my cute little butterfly of an organ the Thyroid out & nicked my vocal cord nerves. 

Every day is a struggle, a fight to breathe or to try and accomplish a task that otherwise would be so simple. At this point I am no longer able to run, exercise that will cause exertion or any activity that will impact my ability to breathe. I am unable to work at this time which is something I am not used too. 

As of February 23, 2015 I have been officially told I am cancer free but will continue blood work every six months for the next five years & I will have another full metastatic body scan to make sure I remain cancer free!

One battle overcome, but the biggest battle is still ahead with the Vocal Cords where they are paralyzed in the closed position & not knowing if they will heal on their own, or if surgery is going to be needed in July to open up the airway. If surgery happens I gain my ability to breathe but will lose the possibility of having a voice that could become just a whisper. 

The money raised is to help pay for legal fees, medical bills, hay for my horses (my family has done so much to take care of them for me) & food for my cat & dog, payments towards continued transportation to hospitals & medical appointments, legal appointments, etc & the daily necessities in living in which I am now unable to provide for myself. I may have lost everything I have worked for in my life, but my animals have been my sanctuary & therapy through it all, along with the support of family, friends and strangers & my faith in the Creator. I have never asked for help but until I can one day work again, I can only ask & in the future return the favor to another in need.