Kimberly Ruggiero

To my friends, family and faithful donors:

While this certainly is NOT about me, I find it necessary to begin by profusely apologizing for not providing an update after last year’s walk and fundraising. As you probably know, I had to retire on 12/31/22. Since that date my life has not necessarily moved in the right direction. I have had four operations, and my husband has had two, with the last one three weeks ago removing his old knee implant and having to totally replace it and repair bone. And my worst setback was the loss of my precious Diamond at the end of March. As most of you know, if not all of you, she was my everything and I am having a very hard time with her loss. So please forgive me for not providing any updates last fall.

Now onto my precious grandson, Junior. Since last year when we last conversed he has had ups and downs, but is doing ok now. He still does not eat food and relies on his medicated, high calorie drinks, along with on and off sessions with his feeding tube. His routine care requires monthly blood tests and scans, visits to the Cystic Fibrosis center at the CT Children’s Hospital, multiple medications and enzymes prior to each feeding, and multiple breathing treatments daily. Unfortunately he also has a lung infection, pseudomonas. The mucus in the lungs is thicker and stickier than normal if you have cystic fibrosis (CF) and this makes if difficult to clear and easier for bacteria to get get stuck and cause infection. The infection causes the lining of the airways to become swollen and produce extra sticky mucus. This is the second time he has had this bacterial infection and repeated lung infections could lead to lung damage. We are praying this goes away and doesn’t cause any issues. Junior has not yet been able to get on the newer drug, Trikafta, and we are praying we are just around the corner to starting this treatment. It has shown significant strides in slowing the progression of the disease and many are benefiting from an enhanced quality of life as well. Fingers crossed we will get on it soon. 

With that said, it is that time of year again where I will be doing my Cystic Fibrosis work and fundraising efforts for the Foundation. Unfortunately I am very behind and the walk is next week, 6/8. I have participated in the CF walk for many years now, and know we are really making a difference for so many, including my grandson. As we are definitely in trying times, I certainly understand that it may not be possible for you to contribute, so please know that your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated!

Your support means more than you know - with my sincere love and thanks! Kim Ruggiero