Kelline’s Story

Site created on November 28, 2021

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. Kelline has developed a rapid, severe neuro-cognitive disorder (dementia), with her symptoms starting in July of 2021. We really appreciate your support, words of hope and encouragement. Thank you so very much for visiting.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Shawn Riedel

Hello my name is Shawn. I have to say it feels weird to sit down and write this. Kelline and I have been together for over 20 years. We have been down many different roads together: some were easy flowing rivers on floaties, some were bumpy, some were curvy, a few were forest-lined, while others were oceans of blue with sand under our feet. This new road we are on is a huge mountain and is super hard to climb, especially when you don't even own hiking boots. 

 

I used to think that together Kelline and I could do anything as a team. I am a bit worried and I believe we might need some help, understanding, and a ton of love. 


This last July we noticed strange things happening with Kelline. She was stuttering more, forgetting where she put things, and she had a hard time keeping up with conversations, just to name a few. Things have continued to decline and she is no longer working or driving. She gets lost at Fred Meyer, does not sleep well, and is easily confused with days and numbers. Having conversations are very difficult, especially with more than two people. Her days are getting harder and as she says, very foggy. Kelline has been to many doctors, and has had many tests. The doctors have said that she has developed a rapid, severe neuro-cognitive disorder (dementia) and they do not know which one. Being that it's very rapid, time is limited. 


Our road is a bit stormy right now. We sold our home in May and were planning on buying some property on Vashon Island. Due to many circumstances that were out of our control (covid impacted several things - the permit process, the builders' needs and the cost of lumber). That dream did not happen! We bought a trailer and a truck, thinking that we would live in the trailer until we found our new dream home. Spencer graduated in June from Shorewood High School and is now attending Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. Kelline and I currently live in our trailer. We move every 21 days because of the membership requirements of the Thousand Trails community which we are a part of. Yes, this seems crazy but it's not as bad as it sounds. There have been so many adventures with our trailer already. We have lived in the woods on the Puget Sound watching eagles fly in La Conner. We have hunted sapphires in Montana. We were next to the overflowing Skykomish river in Monroe which trapped us in the trailer park with our trailer community. This wonderful community is so beautiful, we all come together to help when needed. When it was pouring down rain and very dark, I needed help parking the trailer. Our neighbor Tom helped Kelline to stay calm and Shannon helped me back the trailer into our spot and set up. To get our trailer moved from one place to another I do the driving and almost everything else. Kelline helps when and where she can. Moving days are very stressful and hard so I'm thankful they don't happen more often. 


Our trailer is filled with Spencer when he's not in school, our dogs Truffles and Georgia, Luna our cat, and Tula and Bonnie our birds. But most of all lots of LOVE. 

 
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