Kim’s Follow Up with Dr. Hepworth’s PA, Alison. 3/13/25

Thank you for your patience, giving us time to regroup, get more information from her surgical team, and assess the best way to continue assisting Kim and her family as they work through what is proving to be an “unusual” and complex recovery process. The medical team has clarified that this does not follow what they usually see in their patient population. They now state Kim’s recovery will be at least three times the timeline of most of their cases. 

“The good thing is that things are changing and that gives us data, I don’t necessarily love how it is changing.” - said PA from the team. 

Many of Kim’s pre-surgical symptoms have worsened. The team expected some of this, much of it was not. Due to these outcomes, Kim’s timeline for more surgical intervention may happen AS SOON AS JUNE in Hawaii where the two leading surgeons work together, Dr. Hepworth and Dr. Huey. 

RE-CAP OF FIRST SURGERY:

Left Juggular Vein reconstructed. The goal of this surgery was not to “fix her”, but to decrease her symptoms and the hope of allowing the brain to drain the toxins and fluids better. Things that were compressing the Left JV were removed. Of those, the lymph nodes were tested and ALL were positive for Lyme Disease (Borrelia Bacteria). This theorizes that many of Kim’s venous blockages in her neck and brain may be biofilms from LD. 

Recovery from surgery one is a moving target with changes daily.

Many of Kim’s symptoms pre-surgery were episodic - happening on occasion with specific triggers. Now, these symptoms are daily.. 

1. Increased inflammation throughout her body
2. Post-surgical swelling and pain
3. Pathogen activity (Lyme and friends) places Kim at higher risk of other complications. She is being followed closely by her oncologist to ensure her cancer markers are clear. 
4. Insomnia
5. Nerve irritation, pain, and dysfunction
6. Lymphadema: The necessary removal of Kim’s lymph nodes in her neck has resulted in a worsening of her post-breast cancer lymphedema. She is experiencing severe swelling throughout her head, neck, and in her left chest and torso. 
7. “Igorlina and Todd” - You may have seen the posted video with Kim explaining these two “characters”. They are not the friends you want at a party. She is having “stroke-like” symptoms impacting her cranial and facial nerves. This causes her to lose her ability to speak, find words, and the loss of motor control of facial muscles. 
8. Significant worsening of her Vagus Nerve and Dysautonomia: High Heart Rate, Low and abnormal Blood Pressures, Shortness of Breath. Normally, the body manages your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing without you ever having to think about it. Kim’s is not functioning normally, which places her at high risk of fainting, falling, and lack of oxygen to the brain and heart. 

What does this mean? Did the surgery fail? No, it did not fail, but the team believes that the blockages in the brain may not be cleared which could be why Kim has increased symptoms. This may also mean that her need for the timeline of a second surgery to be moved up. Therefore, the team is moving forward with planning for the next surgery. 

NEXT STEPS:

1. Planned ultrasound cannot be performed at this time due to the severity of her inflammation and swelling. 
2. Compounding certain medications that are helping with some of Kim’s symptoms in order to decrease her MAST CELL ACTIVATION response (more inflammation and reactions caused by junk they put in pharmaceuticals such as preservatives and colorants. These are removed when the medication is compounded by a special pharmacy). 
3. Reduce Kim’s swelling and inflammation as much as possible to improve the flow of fluid, promote healing of the surgical sight, and to improve her comfort and function.
4. Start working with the Hawaiian Surgeon, Dr. Huey, to collaborate on the next surgical plan and the timing of that surgery. Possibly as early as June. 
5. RETURN APPT with DR. HEPWORTH is APRIL 21st. This appt. will be focused on re-assessing Kim’s progress and setting the date for the next surgery with the intracranial (inside the brain cavity) specialist alongside Dr. Hepworth in Hawaii. 

Ongoing fundraising efforts will support Kim’s continued recovery, her next surgery in Hawaii, and the ongoing medical care for the kids. We’re so grateful for your support—every prayer, share, and donation makes a real difference. 💛Please continue to spread the word and help the donation fund continue to meet it's goals!