Krista is ok, just very tired. This is her friend Kate, posting a quick update and taking advantage of being an author to talk about ways you can help! 😁 

Krista began chemo on February 8th and had some side effects. Thankfully, her care team prescribed some medications which have been helping a lot. I think she learned from last week that she needs to take it easy and rest, so she seems to have tolerated last week's chemo a bit better than the first week. She needs a lot of rest and sleep. 

Today, she got her blood work results back. Unfortunately, she's anemic, which is likely chemotherapy induced anemia. She needs her red blood cells and hematocrit values to improve in order to continue her treatments. Prayers/positive thoughts/good vibes for improvement, please. 

She's been doing her best to work Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Thursdays are chemo days, Fridays- through the weekend are recovery days. She has a lot of support at work from her colleagues, administration, students and their families. It means so much to her and to her loved ones to see the rallying of support from everyone. I can't thank everyone enough. 

If you know Krista, you know she's extremely independant and has a hard time accepting any type of help. But she's not writing this, I am, and they could really use some help.  Here are some ways to help:

Ways to help with fundraising- We are holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on March 24th. The flyer is attached with information. Please attend! 

We need help with volunteers and donations of dinner items and baskets/items to raffle. No item is too small, it all counts. You can sign up here to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094CAFAE2AABFBC70-47987607-team

A GoFundMe will be available soon to donate funds to Krista and her family. 

Bracelets are available for purchase for $5 each. (photos attached)

Ways to help with meals for Krista and her family- Krista is following a strict diet to keep her estrogen levels low due to having an estrogen positive type of breast cancer. There are other dietary restrictions in her family, so grocery and restaurant gift cards/gift certificates are of the biggest help at this time. 

Grocery stores they often use are:
Walmart
Sam's Club
Aldi

Restaurants they enjoy are:
Chipotle
Panera
Chic-fil-A 

There is also a fantastic small take out place 2 blocks from their house called Angelo’s Cucina & Catering. They are located at 2601 Brown Ave, Grapeville, PA 15634, and their phone number is (724) 522-5656

Thank you all for checking in on Krista here and in other ways. She and all of us really appreciate your support, prayers, thoughts, etc