Mom's illness makes festive fun hard to find
Ongoing health problems have left this wife and mother of two feeling defeated this holiday season.
She has been struggling with serious, painful symptoms since she had surgery a year ago.
“This year has been pretty rough on our family,” she told Press Christmas for All.
Medications and other treatments have not offered her any relief from stomach pain and other uncomfortable ills. After many tests, she was diagnosed with a condition in which the stomach muscles no longer properly work to digest food. She hopes to see a specialist soon who may be able to offer treatment that will help relieve her symptoms.
In the meantime, she and her husband are buried under medical bills.
“We don’t have a lot of money left over at the end of the month,” she said. “My husband retired from the Army, and it has been a struggle ever since his retirement.”
She said her husband and her young sons are supportive.
“My husband and boys have given up so much with me being sick. They tell me things don’t matter as long as they have me, and I get my health back,” she told Press Christmas for All.
She said she would love to have something to give to her husband and boys for Christmas, even if it’s simply feeling well enough to cook Christmas dinner for them or be able to participate in family games.
This is the 30th year Press Christmas for All has worked to brighten the lives of Kootenai County residents in need during the holiday season.
Each year, Press readers donate generously to the program. The money collected is distributed in the form of gift cards to those who might not otherwise be able to put a holiday meal on the table or purchase a small gift for a child. The programs helps everyone in need, including struggling young families, seniors, people with disabilities and mental illnesses. Many are alone, and despair if a common factor.
Through Christmas for All, these less fortunate neighbors feel the compassion of a caring community during what can be a very difficult time of year for them.
Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. It is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, run entirely by volunteers at The Hagadone Corp., the Coeur d’Alene Press and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.
Every penny raised is distributed to needy Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp. and the volunteers at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.
Donations can be made by dropping off or mailing a check to: Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
Online donations can be made by visiting http://bit.ly/ChristmasforAllDonations
Donations are also accepted by phone. Call (208) 664-8176 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to use a credit card to contribute.
Recent donors include:
William & Sandee Mack; Sandstrom Trust; Ken & Dee Dee Koep; Terry & Marcia Fisher; Anonymous; Jennifer Atencio; Coeur d’Alene Elks Lodge No. 1254; Al & Robin Near; John and Monika Krapfl.