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Kristoffer Needs Your Help Regaining Parts of His Life

In September of 2020 I was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. It was found in my left pelvis and hip area. When it was found it was so severe that the doctors said we had to act right away. The only solution was surgery. So, later that month I underwent hemipelvectomy surgery and lost my left pelvis, hip, and leg. You can read about my journey at kriskristensen.com/blog. I’ve included some of the highlights below.

Updates (14)

November 21, 2022

I need to raise some money before the year ends. In fact, I need to raise about $26,000... and I'll tell you why:

I have been working really hard with my prosthetist and physical therapists, learning how to improve my walking. Things have been going well, so they say, though it is still very hard, and I tire easily.

A strange twist of events. About 2 years ago, I purchased a special set of forearm crutches, SideStix. They have been a godsend. They are custom built using carbon fiber and milled aluminum and are very light. They even have shock absorbers and rotating feet, which are saving my shoulders.

Anyway, the company publishes an online blog containing stories of some of their clients. Recently, one of their client stories was about a guy who has used the same type of crutches for years and how he absolutely loved them. But the fascinating part of the story was that this chap is a "prosthetic consultant." And it hit me like a bolt of lightning: my prosthetist and I are looking for a consultant who can help us come up with the best configuration for my prosthetic leg... especially as he and I have been spit balling the setup for a couple of years; neither of us has any experience about dealing with hemipelvectomy patients.

Long story short, I asked to be connected with this guy, which the crutch company was kind enough to do. I talked with him for a good long while, sent him pictures of my leg setup, and what kind of goals I have for using it. In the end, what he said was that I need to connect with one of his friends, a gentleman who had the prosthetic contract at Walter Reed hospital, to which wounded soldiers go. This gentleman has had the opportunity to work with over 200 cases of people with hemipelvectomies, just like mine! 200 cases!!!

I took the drive to see him. He took a look at my leg setup and said, "this is all wrong!" In short, I need to get a new setup, starting with a new socket, adding the latest generation knee and ankle, and some other nifty parts. But then came the hammer: the price tag is over $100,000.00! Problem is, this guy's practice is out of network for my insurance company, and they don't really want to pay for it, as they think my current leg is perfectly workable and I shouldn't need anything that fancy... darn insurance companies!

In the end, the new prosthetist is willing to work with me. He is willing to use all the current parts I have, but we need to make a new, special custom socket. But the socket will cost about $26,000. The insurance company may pay a portion of this cost, but I have to bear the lion's share. The prosthetist said that with this socket, I wouldn't need to have all the extraneous straps I currently have just to keep my leg attached to my body. He said that everything begins with the socket, and that it is the most vital part of the setup; if we get the socket right, the leg will work better, regardless of the rest of the parts... which we can always add later.

I left the meeting ecstatic. I've been dreaming about a new socket ever since (and the rest of a new leg too, should I ever be able to afford it)! Now, I am on the cusp. I need to raise several thousand dollars and I'll be able to improve my mobility a lot!

I've saved a few thousand dollars, but I am far short of what I need to bring to the table. This is where I need your help. If you are in the giving mood, please donate whatever you can. If enough people donate, I'll be able to get the new socket this year. If even more people donate, perhaps I can afford some of the other components of a modern leg too.

In the end, I thank you for your consideration of my situation. I am eternally grateful for the kindness of people like you. Without you I have no idea how I'd be able to get by; your donations make all the difference!

October 20, 2022

Croquet. This ain't your typical backyard croquet setup. This, my friends, is a championship-grade pitch, with real mallets, balls, and wickets. We were taught by some friends who have access to the place. I never thought I'd ever be doing anything like this! Together with my improving golf game, perhaps I can someday soon return to sport...

Next: Skiing!

Photo Galleries (5)

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Guestbook

November 30, 2022

Thinking of you and your family, Kris-I hope you get everything you need to live your best life

Jikk Myers

November 29, 2022

My mom didn’t want anything for Christmas & her bday she said to donate to you.

Kimberly Kee

November 22, 2022

We love you, Kris!

Valerie Corelli