As many of you know, Christina has been fighting congestive heart failure for many, many years. Earlier this year Christina’s condition took a turn for the worst, to the point of needing an urgent heart transplant to survive. As we talked about her options, Christina felt like a heart transplant was not a feasible option. It wasn’t because doctors told her this but because she felt like it was such a huge mountain to climb.

She decided that she wanted to keep on fighting for her health and to have more time here with the people she loves the most.

So we made a plan: an amazing family friend is staying at the house and taking care of the 2 dogs, 2 cats, lawn, and housework right now. Christina has now been in the hospital in Salt Lake for about a month, survived countless setbacks and scary moments, and has finally just received her new heart (yay!!). After a long and traumatic surgery, now begins the recovery - she is expected to stay in the hospital for at least 4 more weeks while undergoing intensive monitoring and healing. After that, she is required to take up residence in Salt Lake for at least 6 months up to a year. (This is on top of maintaining her house in Caldwell.) Cleo will be her primary caretaker and will stay with her while hopefully still attending college if possible. Christina may or may not be able to work remotely, depending on her healing. After the 6-12 months staying in Salt Lake, she will be allowed to move back home, taking her rejection medication every day for the rest of her life and attending yearly appointments down in Salt Lake (along with various appointments near her residence in Idaho).

It’s no wonder getting a new heart feels like a mountain she can’t climb! Like most of us, who don’t have unlimited funds and resources, this is a huge stress and it could possibly deter Christina from recovering from this huge lifesaving surgery. But we, her friends and family, are not going to throw in the towel! Not on our watch! Christina’s children need their mother and we need our friend!!

We have assured her that there are a lot of people who love her and want nothing more than to rally around her in her time of need. Christina will need emotional and financial support to ease the process. She has spent her whole life bringing joy, help, and love to others. Now it’s her turn to swallow her pride and humbly receive the love and support we have to offer her.

Please contribute whatever you can. Any little bit will help shrink that mountain! If you are only able to bless her in non-monetary ways, please feel free to hit the share button and give others a chance to hear her story.