Help Chrisna Get Back to Her Son and Spreading Joy with Treats

Our lives took a terrifying turn when my beloved wife, Chrisna, suffered a severe stroke followed by multiple seizures. Tragically, our 12-year-old son witnessed this devastating event, and the emotional impact on him has been immense. My greatest wish is to bring his mother home healthy and whole, not only for her sake but for his well-being too. We know that seeing her fight and eventually recover will be a crucial part of his healing process.

Adding to our distress, Chrisna, who is only 43, did not have medical insurance. As South Africans living in Thailand, we were diligently saving to secure medical cover when this unforeseen and critical emergency struck. We have already had to pay an initial 47,000 THB in cash to the hospital, and now we are facing a further 180,000 THB bill for the crucial operation she needed. On top of this, the daily cost for her to remain in the Intensive Care Unit is approximately 10,000 THB, and this is without accounting for any additional treatments or complications. The financial burden is escalating rapidly and is far beyond our ability to manage alone.

Despite these challenges, Chrisna is a vibrant and loving person with so much life left to live. She is an avid animal lover who has selflessly cared for numerous dogs over the years and has lovingly adopted four dogs and a cat into our family. Our furry companions miss her dearly, especially Sam, that have a special connection with her, and we know her return home will bring immense joy to them all. In her passion for spreading happiness, she also runs a small South African treat business here in Thailand, bringing a taste of her home and joy to others.

The medical bills are mounting at an alarming rate. With the initial payment, the surgery cost, and the ongoing ICU expenses, we are already facing a significant financial crisis, and we anticipate the total could reach 500,000 THB or even 1 million THB as Chrisna continues her critical care and begins the long road to recovery. We also know that our son will need support to process the trauma he experienced.

We are reaching out to our community, friends, and anyone who is able to help. These funds will go directly towards covering Chrisna's immediate hospital bills, the vital operation she needs, her ongoing critical care in the ICU, and the extensive rehabilitation that will be essential for her recovery journey so she can come back to our son, her beloved animals, and continue to bring joy to others through her treats.

Every donation, no matter the size, will bring us closer to ensuring Chrisna receives the best possible care and eases the immense financial pressure on our family during this incredibly challenging time. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, and support.

A Glimpse into Chrisna's Journey: Our Story in Video

Dear friends and family,

Words often fall short in capturing the emotional rollercoaster we've been on, so I decided to create a short video to share Chrisna's incredible journey with you.

This video offers a heartfelt look back at a little of our past, takes you through the challenging days in the hospital, and shares a song I wrote with AI that truly captures what was going through my head during that intense time.

Most importantly, the video's ending highlights just how far Chrisna has come since her stroke and hospital stay. Her recovery is nothing short of miraculous, and seeing her progress will fill your heart with hope.

To every single person who has donated, shared, or sent a prayer: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are not just supporters; you are truly part of our family now. Your kindness has made all the difference, and we couldn't have gotten this far without you.

Please watch and share this video – it's a testament to Chrisna's strength and the power of your love.

https://youtu.be/aJgDLxMRhII 

With immense gratitude,

Louis, Chrisna and Morgan

A Challenging Diagnosis & A New Path Forward: Navigating Chrisna's Cancer Journey

Dear friends and supporters,

Today's update is a hard one to share, filled with immense emotional weight as we confront Chrisna's diagnosis and navigate complex decisions for her future.

We had our appointment with the oncologist on Monday, spending most of the day at the hospital. We are so incredibly grateful for the dedication of the medical staff, especially given how busy government hospitals are. While the time with the doctor was short, partly due to language barriers we still had questions, we truly appreciate the pressure they are under.

In our limited time, the oncologist recommended Dual Immunotherapy and possibly BRAF inhibitors if Chrisna's Melanoma has that specific mutation. When we asked if they might cut out other suspected tumors, he explained that with this type of treatment, it could actually encourage more growth. The most profound shock came when we asked if this recommended treatment was curative or palliative (aimed at cure or just symptom relief). His response was clear: it is only palliative.

The estimated cost for this conventional treatment is staggering: approximately ฿300,000 THB per month (around £6,800 GBP / $9,300 USD per month). This is far beyond our financial capacity, and we honestly don't see how we could sustain that on a monthly or even yearly basis through fundraising.

After this challenging appointment, we immediately reconnected with Meme Grant from Integrative Cancer Coach (https://integrativecancercoach.com), who has been an invaluable support since the very beginning. She spoke with us about alternative treatments that, while still needing more extensive medical studies, offer significantly lower costs and can be combined with other approaches.

We've already started the most affordable of these: a combination of Ivermectin, Mebendazole, and a special diet. This is something we've been doing since we first learned of Chrisna's cancer. The cost for these tablets alone is about ฿4,000 THB per week, totaling around ฿208,000 THB ($6,450 USD) for a year.

We are also actively exploring other complementary alternative treatments, such as Vitamin C IV therapy (still researching costs) and potentially Rigvir, which involves approximately 26 injections at €290 each, amounting to about €8,410 Euros / $9,930 USD for a year.

What makes these alternative treatments particularly attractive, beyond the significant cost benefits, is that there are some testimonies suggesting that combinations of these methods could lead to remission and potentially be curative. This hope means everything to us.

Transparency on Funds & Our Financial Road Ahead

I want to be completely transparent about the funds we've received and how they've been utilized.

As you know, Chrisna's hospital bills totaled ฿341,857.53 THB (฿43,709.00 THB for the first hospital and ฿298,148.53 THB for the second, which included her surgery, ICU care, and extensive scans/tests).

Through your incredible generosity via Weeboon (฿132,655 THB), GoFundMe (approx. ฿25,803 THB), and direct donations (฿85,345.75 THB), we've collectively raised approximately ฿243,803.75 THB. These funds have gone directly towards covering these urgent, life-saving hospital expenses.

Crucially, to get Chrisna discharged, I initially secured a personal bridging loan from a friend to cover the outstanding balance. I have since secured another loan which allowed me to repay that initial bridging loan. This new loan, while a tremendous help, will now need to be paid off over the next couple of months. This repayment obligation will unfortunately significantly restrict my ability to directly pay for Chrisna's ongoing cancer treatments in full, and also the essential special diet she needs to follow as part of her integrative therapy.

Focused Campaigns & Renewed Hope

Given this new direction in Chrisna's treatment and the financial realities, we will be launching a new campaign solely focused on raising funds for her ongoing cancer treatments. This will allow supporters who wish to contribute specifically to her path towards remission to do so.

This current campaign will remain open until the end of July. For those who wish to assist with repaying the loan that allowed Chrisna's discharge, your contributions here will make it significantly easier for us to sustain the ongoing costs of her vital treatments and special diet.

We want to express our deepest gratitude once more to everyone who has already donated. Your kindness and generosity have been an absolute lifeline, getting us through the initial critical phase and enabling Chrisna's discharge.

As we embark on this challenging but hopeful new path, we humbly ask for your continued support in spreading the word. Please share Chrisna's story with everyone you know. Every share and every donation gives her the fighting chance she deserves.

You can continue to support Chrisna's initial medical costs and help us repay the loan here (open until end of July):

For general donations (including for Thailand): https://www.weeboon.com/en/campaign/help-chrisna-get-back-on-her-feet
For those in the US and UK: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-chrisna-get-back-to-her-son-and-spreading-joy

We will share the link to the new campaign focused on her cancer treatment soon.

With hope and determination,

Chrisna, Louis and Morgan

A Challenging Diagnosis & A New Battle: Chrisna's Fight Against Cancer

Dear friends and supporters,

We're sharing an important and difficult update today. Our recent appointment, which turned out to be with Chrisna's neurologist, brought clarity but also a significant new challenge. We received the pathology results from the parts of her brain that were removed, and it's now 100% clear that Chrisna has Melanoma Cancer tumors that caused the strokes.

The neurologist was truly impressed with Chrisna's remarkable recovery despite this diagnosis. Her resilience continues to amaze us. Chrisna, ever eager for independence, asked about driving. While she won't be allowed to drive at this time, especially not a motorcycle, due to the risk of hemorrhage or another episode, her spirit remains strong.

Unfortunately, the biggest remaining tumor is located in an inoperable part of the brain. The neurologist has referred us to an oncologist to discuss cancer treatment options. We've also received confirmation that the melanoma has spread to other areas of her body.

Our appointment with the oncologist is set for June 30th. We would dearly love a faster appointment, but we understand we are at the mercy of the incredibly busy government hospital. We are, however, thankful to be at what we believe is the right hospital, and we will patiently wait our turn for the best possible care.

This devastating diagnosis means our crowdfunding campaign must now shift its focus. We are no longer just fighting for recovery from the stroke; we are now fighting Chrisna's battle against cancer.

This new chapter, unfortunately, means we are going to need your support more than ever. Cancer treatments are known to be incredibly expensive, and we anticipate significant costs as we move forward.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude once again to every single person who has already donated. Your kindness and generosity have been an absolute lifeline, getting us through the initial critical phase.

As we embark on this new, challenging journey, we humbly ask for your continued support in spreading the word. Please share Chrisna's story with everyone you know. Every share and every donation will directly contribute to her life-saving cancer treatment and give her the fighting chance she deserves.

Our campaign title will be changing to reflect this new focus. Please continue to check back for updates on Chrisna's fight.

With hope and gratitude,
Louis, Chrisna, and Morgan

Answering Your Questions: Transparency on Chrisna's Medical Bills and Your Incredible Support!

We know many of you are following Chrisna's journey closely, and we want to be fully transparent about the significant medical expenses and how your generous donations are making a difference. It's important for us to show you exactly where the funds have gone and why your continued support is so vital.

The Costs We've Faced

Chrisna's medical journey has involved two hospitals, and the bills have been substantial:

First Hospital Bill: ฿43,709.00 THB This covered the ambulance from our home, Chrisna's initial days of hospital stay, and crucial CT scans that helped us understand the situation. Second Hospital Bill: ฿298,148.53 THB This is where the bulk of the expenses lay. The bill for just the first day after her operation was a staggering ฿184,377.59 THB. This larger bill encompasses multiple follow-up CT scans, MRI scans, biopsy testing, and intensive ICU care, which are all incredibly costly but vital for her diagnosis and recovery.

In total, the hospital bills alone amounted to ฿341,857.53 THB.

Your Amazing Contributions So Far

Thanks to your incredible kindness, we've received significant support, helping us tackle these immense costs:

Weeboon Campaign: ฿126,655.00 THB GoFundMe Campaign: £355 GBP (approximately ฿15,651.17 THB) Direct Donations: ฿85,345.75 THB

This means, together, we've raised a total of approximately ฿227,651.92 THB! Every single baht, pound, and direct gift has gone directly towards helping us cover these immediate, life-saving hospital expenses.

The Road Ahead: Rehabilitation and Ongoing Care

As you know, Chrisna was discharged with the crucial help of a friend who provided bridging finance to cover the outstanding bill. This was a massive relief and allowed us to bring her home. The doctors are still investigating the cause of the stroke and have postponed further test operations until we get the initial test results.

While being home with our son and her overjoyed animals is a dream come true, the journey isn't over. Chrisna's left side remains weaker, and for the foreseeable future, I'll be staying home to provide her with full-time care. She won't be able to drive for some time, but her entrepreneurial spirit is already shining through! While she won't be running her treat business at full pace immediately, she plans to do it at a slower pace while focusing on her recovery and further training her local staff/chef to ensure her delicious treats continue to bring joy.

This also means we urgently need your continued support for her rehabilitation. Getting her the necessary therapy is crucial for her long-term recovery and for her to regain independence. The funds raised will go directly towards her ongoing medical needs and intensive rehab, enabling her to get back to full health and her passions.

Thank you again for being part of Chrisna's fight. Your generosity truly makes all the difference.

Please continue to help us push forward for her rehabilitation.

Chrisna is HOME! A Huge Step Forward, But the Journey Continues
We have truly wonderful news to share: Chrisna has been discharged from the hospital and is finally home! 
This monumental step was made possible by an incredibly generous friend who provided crucial bridging finance. The hospital wouldn't release her without the full payment of the current bill, and we are eternally grateful for this lifeline that brought Chrisna back to us.
Her homecoming was incredibly emotional. All our animals – her beloved dogs and cat – were absolutely overjoyed to see her again, especially Sam. Their excitement and Chrisna's joy at being reunited with them filled our home with so much warmth.
The doctors have decided to delay another test operation until we receive the results of the tests already performed. This gives us a little breathing room as we focus on her immediate care.
While being home is a massive victory, Chrisna's recovery journey is far from over. Her left side is still weaker, and for the foreseeable future, I will need to stay home to provide her with the full-time care she needs until she regains more strength. This means she won't be able to drive or resume her normal activities for some time.
This also means we urgently need your continued support for her rehabilitation. Getting her the necessary therapy is crucial for her long-term recovery and for her to regain independence. The funds raised will go directly towards her ongoing medical needs and intensive rehab.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for every single donation, share, and message of support. Your kindness is what's making Chrisna's recovery possible.
Please consider donating and sharing Chrisna's story. Every contribution helps us bring her closer to a full recovery and eases the immense financial strain on our family.

Chrisna's Strong Spirit: Closer to Home, Still Needing Your Urgent Help

Dearest friends and supporters,

We have another update on Chrisna's amazing progress! She is becoming more and more alert and restless, a clear sign that her fighting spirit is growing stronger each day. All she wants now is to come home to her son and her beloved furry family, and we couldn't be more excited at the prospect!

The medical team is weighing the next steps. While the neurologist is willing to dismiss her, other doctors are diligently working to understand the cause of her stroke, performing an MRI and additional tests. This thoroughness is important, and we're holding onto hope that Chrisna will finally be discharged today!

However, as we near this crucial moment, the hospital's financial department is understandably pressing us for the outstanding funds. We are still a little short of covering just the operation and her current hospital stay, and securing these funds is the final hurdle before she can be released.

To everyone who has already opened their hearts and donated – thank you, from the very bottom of ours. Your incredible generosity has brought us this far, and we are profoundly grateful for every single contribution.

We truly need a final push to get Chrisna home. If you are able to help, even a small amount makes a monumental difference.

You can donate here:

For general donations (including for Thailand): https://www.weeboon.com/en/campaign/help-chrisna-get-back-on-her-feet For those in the US and UK who might have struggled with the first platform: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-chrisna-get-back-to-her-son-and-spreading-joy

Please continue to share Chrisna's story. Every share extends our reach and brings us closer to reuniting our family.

With deepest gratitude,

Chrisna, Louis and Morgan

#ChrisnaStrong #RoadToRecovery #BringChrisnaHome #MedicalFundraiser

We're so happy to share some heartwarming news from Chrisna's recovery journey! Yesterday was a truly special day. Morgan and I were able to visit Chrisna twice, and seeing his comfort growing in going to see his mom more fills our hearts with relief. It's incredibly important for his healing process to be close to his mom.

The highlight of the day was our long walk together. Chrisna is showing more and more signs of her vibrant self – she's becoming quite restless and eager to come home! Her determination is truly inspiring, and it's a powerful reminder of how much she wants to be back with our family, her son, and her beloved pets.

While we can't share photos due to hospital privacy policies, please know that Chrisna's spirit is strong. We're holding onto the hopeful news that the doctor might be able to release her in the next couple of days!

For this incredible step forward to happen, we urgently need your continued support. As foreigners in Thailand, securing the necessary funds is a crucial hurdle to ensure her release. Every donation brings us closer to getting Chrisna home where she belongs.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your incredible generosity and for walking this journey with us. Your support means everything.

#ChrisnaStrong #RoadToRecovery #Homebound

Chrisna is making good progress and has been fully awake and aware for the whole day. The doctors want to do another CT scan today, but everything seems like we are through the worst and just trying to find the cause of it.

Chrisna and Morgan, for the first time, really could sit down and talk a little after the first episode. 
It was great to see that there was a small change in healing for him as well.  
He was in much better spirits than the last couple of days. 

To think a week ago, all was still normal, I can not think how quickly things have changed, and from where she was, to walking, this is one amazing woman. Please help to get Chrisna Van Wyk out of the hospital. Share, and if you have a little spare, please donate, it does go a long way.

For those that say they are struggling to donate here. Try the following link
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-chrisna-get-back-to-her-son-and-spreading-joy

#SupportChrisna #FamilyEmergency #Thailand

Update on Chrisna's condition.

She is a notable fighter, and sometimes, the weakness that this has caused frustrates her, but she is fighting and winning.

She walked today with a little help.

The force is strong in this amazing woman.

I know I am so proud of this woman, near death 4 days ago, underwent brain surgery, and is already starting to walk.

Hi All.

What a big day of achievements for Chrisna.They removed the oxygen mask and all tubes.

Chrisna ate and drank for the first time again.

She is moving her arms and legs and has control over them, her left side will need some therapy to be back to full strength.

Hi All.

What a big day of achievements for Chrisna.They removed the oxygen mask and all tubes.

Chrisna ate and drank for the first time again.

She is moving her arms and legs and has control over them, her left side will need some therapy to be back to full strength.

I have some great news, Chrisna Van Wyk is going strong. They remove the ventilator and the tubes. She is moving all her arms and legs. She said her name after they removed the tube, and the nurse asked for it. She was awake for most of the day. These are all good signs that she will make a full recovery.
Late last night, she did try and speak, a little hard to understand. But with theorophy, I believe that Chrisna will make a full recovery. 

I have created a Facebook page that is easy to update from my phone.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576918624629

I will still update you here as well, just when I am at the hospital. It is a little harder.