Thank you for visiting my FMD fundraising page! Please read my story...
This year, FMD has affected my life in almost every aspect you can think of, from living far from the kids, to fainting in my kitchen, to chronic pain. Two angioplasties; one in Portland and one at UC Davis, plus an angiogram at the UW and my hypertension is still spiking. I bravely put this photo up. No makeup and messy hair but I am trying to do my best Yoko Ono impression. Sometimes it seems almost comical. I think I'd make a good reality show, though am far to private. So to share a bit.
Living with FMD right now is confusing and depressing. It has stolen my creativity, and I was not able to take the job as a pro ski patrol I worked so hard to get. The most difficult part is that I have been told over and over that I live on the wrong side of the country to have FMD, which according the the New York Times, is not as rare as everyone thinks. I slipped through so many medical cracks and the disease progressed. The work being done by the FMD association is critical.
FMD is a disease that causes tissue growth and malformation of the arteries. My right renal looked like three elephant trunks! But behind every artery is an organ that needs blood, so really, it is a full body experience.
The only answer is awareness and research. And that is what your donation will be used for. Can you imagine what it is like when primary care doctors are afraid to take you on? That is my story. It has caused great depression and anxiety and a feeling of freakishness that I've never experience. So I decided to do this page as a way to do something, anything to make it better for me and for everyone else who suffers with FMD. Pema Chodren, a Buddhist monk would call this Tonglen, the practice of compassion for self and others. I hope to heal the depression this disease has caused by taking action with this.
I am hoping to go to Cleveland soon to the FMD clinic. As a writer, I would love to write a patients guide to FMD. I know that I am lucky that I was an athletic person as I've had this disease since I was a kid, yet didn't really have any issues with it until I was pregnant with Scout. I know it was the reason she was born so ill, twelve Christmas's ago. She is doing great! I believe my great -grandmother died at age 36 of it. I plan to beat it. But right now, things are unsure.
So I ask you to help. Even five dollars makes a difference. It will forward the research and awareness so patients like me are treated early in life and never reach the crisis point I have.
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
With Love, Gratitude and Peace,
kk