Benefit for Lindsay Lembke June 3 at Geneva Community Center
Lindsay Lembke
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
You're beautiful, with those long dark eyelashes and big brown eyes. You're sweet 16, the time in your life when everything should be perfect. You should be attending school, enjoying time with friends, having fun and making plans for prom and parties.
And then — bam — you get hit in the stomach, hard. That’s what it feels like. But it’s so much more.
Lindsay Lembke, daughter of Lisa Cromwell Lembke of Geneva and Steve Lembke of Albert Lea, has spent time after time in the hospital since November of last year.
There were times Lindsay complained of her stomach hurting, but they figured it was just an upset stomach. But then, she woke up one morning in November very sick and throwing up. After eight trips to the ER and 12 admittances to the hospital, she had been diagnosed with any number of things and given many different kinds of medication, which were later discovered were not needed for her particular illness. She even suffered a seizure due to the medication and had to be transported to the hospital by ambulance. Doctors just could not determine what was wrong.
Finally, the doctors were able to make a correct diagnosis, Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome. Never heard of it? Probably not. SMA Syndrome is a vascular disorder, extremely rare and caused by an upper intestinal obstruction resulting from compression of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta. There are less than 500 people in the world who have this life-threatening condition.
Back on the 25th of March, she was once again admitted to the hospital, this time at the Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. Lindsay underwent surgery, which may or may not be beneficial. The doctors were able to hook up a TPN pack to her body, which should be able to provide her with all the nutrients she needs to live. She receives 1500 calories a day through the TPN pack, and is also hooked up to receive lipids, or fat, which she also needs.
The doctors have been able to get Lindsay’s body hooked up to these two different machines and they hope that it will prevented her from losing more weight. Lindsay has lost 45 pounds since she became ill.
Though it was felt Lindsay would have to remain at Children's Hospital indefinitely, she was moved to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester on Mothers' Day, May 13th.
Lindsay has a long road of recovery ahead of her and, if that isn't bad enough, the medical bills have been astronomical, and will continue as Lindsay tries to fight this battle. Not only has Lindsay been affected by time it has taken to determine her condition, her mother has had to miss a great deal of time away from her job. There is no prediction at this time as to how long Lindsay will be hospitalized.
Friends and family of Lindsay have organized a benefit to help with expenses on Sunday, June 3rd at Geneva Community Center, from 3 to 7 p.m. A free-will donation meal will be served. The benefit will also include both a live auction and silent auction.
Donations for the auctions can be dropped off at George's of Geneva, or contact Lindsay’s aunt, Tara Lembke, at 213 East Main Street in Geneva, or call her at 507-256-4679. A bank account has also been set up at the Commerce Bank in Geneva. Donations can be dropped off at the bank or mailed to P.O. Box 149, Geneva. MN 56035-0149.
A Facebook page has been set up, "Benefit for Lindsay Lembke," which will provide updates.
Cards, letters and donations that can be of help to her recovery would be a blessing. In lieu of cards, perhaps a letter and the money you would normally spend on that greeting card would go a long way in helping. Be creative. Create a special letter that will help make her day just a little bit better.
Please keep Lindsay in your thoughts and prayers and offer your support to this young lady who is fighting this very rare, life-threatening disease.
The benefit will occur two days after Lindsay’s 17th birthday. Make yourself happy by making this an extra special day for her.