The Ups and Downs

Last Saturday's yard sale to benefit Kim's family was a huge success! So many people donated lots of great items, and we took in around $1100 in just 6 hours! In addition, I received other donations to raise the total to $1500! One stranger gave a $100 bill after hearing the details of Kim's situation! I am amazed and thrilled at the goodness of people! And none of this could have happened without my steadfast friends who moved, marked, cleaned, shopped, sorted, and packed up the stuff. Lena, Karen, Sally, Una, Leslie, Bernice, Marilyn--thank you, and to all of you who helped.

Friday night Kim was taken to the hospital after suffering a seizure. She spent the night there, and I knew she would be worrying about the yard sale. Sure enough, she had her husband here bright and early with the tables she had promised. And before she left the hospital she had him back picking them up, along with much of the remaining stuff. She's planning a yard sale for her house this weekend! She says Mel, her husband, will set it up and she and her kids will run it. She never lets up!

She asked me for names of everyone who has donated time and money, in order to write thank you's. I assured her that no one expects that, and she is to concentrate on her health. Every day that she feels well she says, "I've got to find some work." But that isn't reality, and we talk through that.

Monday I drove her to the University of Washington Medical Center for some tests and appointments. FINALLY I think she has a doctor and facility that will oversee her illness. She really cannot get satisfactory treatment here, as there are no specialists for scleroderma.

Kim has lost 30 pounds over the past couple of months. This doctor now fears the scleroderma is throughout her stomach, large and small intestines, lungs, and possibly the vessels of the brain, which would explain the seizures and blackouts. Tests next week are to determine the extent. If this is the case, then no surgery will help her. Scleroderma is a dreadful disease.

One occasion really brought Kim joy on Monday. Years ago her older sister gave birth to a baby boy and gave him up for adoption. Kim was about 10 years old, and has never forgotten that. She recently, with her sister's permission, was able to contact the young man through the adoption agency. They've talked over the past weeks, and following the medical appointments we met him and his adoptive father for a late lunch. I have never been a part of such a reunion, and it was just wonderful! He is a college graduate, working at Children's Hospital, and just a great young person. Kim thanked his dad for raising him and being there. It was an emotional time, and they will get together again. You can tell from the pictures it was a happy time. Kim was so excited she laughed and talked all the way home!

Dear friends, please continue to hold Kim in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

Gayle

Yard Sale Saturday for Kim

We are doing one more yard sale as a fund raiser for Kim this Saturday, September 25, at my house, 710 Leann Place, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. We have lots of good stuff, including glassware, household items, and some antiques belonging to Kim. Our goal is to help make her September house payment.

The picture is of a beautiful china hutch she hopes to sell. She paid nearly $4000 for it, and is asking $700. It is very nice. Let me know if you are interested in seeing it.

She is really struggling--has had a lot of pain, respiratory problems, etc. She's been told to plan on surgery in Seattle next week. However, they continue to mention more tests, etc. The skeptical side of me wonders if they put her off because of lack of insurance. State medical help has her in a "pay-down" situation, which means they are currently not paying. It is a double edged sword that her husband works full time. It counts against them. She doesn't even answer the phone anymore, as it's usually collectors. Her plan is to complete bankruptcy, then get disability assistance through Social Security. Plus deal with the health crisis of the day.

I just ache for her.

Anyway, that's a brief update. Thank you so much for your support and prayers for Kim.

I hope you will come by the yard sale--the coffee will be on all day.

Gayle

My Friend Kim Needs Your Prayers

Kim has spent most of the summer going back and forth to doctors, here and in Seattle, waiting to learn what they can do for her. You'll recall she has had two autoimmune diseases: Lupus and MS.

Yesterday I drove her to Seattle for an appointment to learn the results of recent tests. She was feeling hopeful that she might not need surgery on her intestines after all. However, the diagnosis was devastating: she has another autoimmune disease. Scleroderma.

In reading up on scleroderma, the information is truly depressing. I am relieved Kim and her familty don't have a computer. One type of the disease causes hardening and thickening of the skin, making it inflexible. She has the systemic type that acts on the intestines, lungs, heart, esophagus, and other internal organs.

Her next step is a total colostomy. She should be contacted soon with a date for pre-surgical consultation. You are probably like me, thinking "How is it possible for one 40-year old woman to have so much bad health, bad luck?" Kim is a strong woman, who, when diagnosed with MS faced the prospect of a wheelchair by saying, "No way. If I get into a wheelchair I'll never get out." Instead she has pushed herself, working through pain and fatigue. I'm just trying to help her face one day at a time, finding some positive thoughts to focus on.

As if all of this isn't enough, the family will soon lose their lovely house in Selah (unless they find a buyer very soon), and will be filing for bankruptcy as early as her husband's next paycheck. She is preparing to sell many of her belongings, and I may be having another yard sale here in the weeks ahead. Let me know if you wish to donate items again, view their home (it's a very good buy since they are eager to sell),or their furniture that they will be selling.

One thing that helps her keep her mind off her worries is working. She is still cleaning my house weekly and wants more work. If you can use some cleaning or organizing, weekly or just once or twice, please let me know! She does great work!

The struggles have been very hard on the kids. Through your generous giving, the family has been able to make three months' house payments they wouldn't otherwise have been able to meet. Also, we were able to get the boys some school clothes and supplies. Kim can't believe that people she doesn't know can be so generous. I just tell her I am blessed to have fantastic, caring friends!

If you can see your way to give a bit more, I'm working on getting funds for Ethan, the 6 year old, soccer cleats, pads, and pay his fees to join a team. This is a very do-able amount. The 15-year old, however, realizes he cannot turn out for football, as it will cost him several hundred dollars. The day-to-day expenses of living are huge. I have told Kim she can be assured we won't let them go hungry.

I have just finished another autumn table runner that needs a home. It measures 12" x 58". It can be yours by making a donation of $150 (you can spread it out over 6 months). Let me know if you are interested.

Please keep Kim and her family in your prayers. And let me know if you have any ideas for fundraising, etc. She's driving a car that is unsafe, and has no funds to fix the brakes. As the blues song puts it, "If it wasn't for bad luck, she wouldn't have no luck at all!"