Breanna Bethke, a teenager from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received a delightful surprise one Sunday morning: a bedroom makeover.
Breanna had been battling an autoimmune illness and was diagnosed with Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) after experiencing symptoms like high fevers, body aches, and constant fatigue starting last August.
She underwent chemotherapy treatment until mid-October following her diagnosis.
Since January, Breanna has been stable and does not require further treatment unless her HLH flares up again.
Then, on Sunday, she received a heartwarming surprise: a beautiful bedroom makeover designed to help her relax and recover.
Kari Swisher leads My Happy Place in Fort Dodge, an organization that has completed makeovers for around ten sick adults in the local area.
“It provides a distraction for people who are ill during the makeover process, and I believe we’ve significantly impacted many lives,” Kari said.
Breanna was selected for the room makeover after being nominated by fellow students from Fort Dodge, according to NBC 2.
Now, she enjoys her dream bedroom, complete with an LED fireplace, a stylish vanity, and numerous faith-based decorations.
Kara Ocenasek, a volunteer at My Happy Place, spent the past two months designing Breanna’s room.
Having experienced a bedroom makeover herself while dealing with breast cancer, Kara mentioned that giving back in this special way is very meaningful to her.
“The ability to help other women, men, and children in similar situations is truly incredible, and it feels like a real gift,” Kara said.
Breanna is thrilled with her new room and appreciates the surprise bedroom makeover.
“This is fantastic,” she said. “It’s incredible. I love it, and I’m extremely grateful.”
HLH, or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, is a serious condition characterized by widespread inflammation that can be life-threatening, as explained by the Immune Deficiency Foundation.
It frequently accompanies other medical conditions, termed secondary HLH, which may be associated with diseases such as infections or cancer.
Secondary HLH is often seen in individuals who already have underlying conditions such as rheumatologic diseases or immune deficiencies.
On the other hand, primary HLH is caused by genetic factors present from birth and generally affects patients at a young age, often leading to fatal outcomes within months if not treated promptly.
While treatments like bone marrow transplants can provide some extension of life, the prognosis for primary HLH remains challenging.
In contrast, early and aggressive treatment of secondary HLH can significantly improve the prognosis and outcomes for affected individuals.
In HLH, there is an abnormal activation of certain cells that mistakenly attack the body instead of defending it against infections. This leads to a severe immune response known as a “cytokine storm,” which can cause significant damage to various organs including blood cells, bone marrow, spleen, liver, lymph nodes, skin, and occasionally the brain.
Symptoms of HLH typically include persistent high fever, rash, enlargement of the liver and spleen, hepatitis, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), low counts of blood, and swollen lymph nodes.
In some cases, HLH can also lead to neurological complications such as confusion, seizures, or even coma.
Primary HLH is a rare condition, affecting approximately 1 in 50,000 births annually worldwide.
There has been a slight rise in reported cases, which may be attributed to advancements in detection methods.
MY PLACE
My Happy Place is a nonprofit organization operated by dedicated volunteers, dedicated to creating therapeutic environments for individuals confronting significant health challenges.
These places are designed to alleviate stress, reduce pain and anxiety, and promote healing and overall well-being.
For many recipients, learning about their upcoming “happy place” marks a pivotal moment of positivity amid their health struggles, offering hope and a bright spot to look forward to on their journey.
My Happy Place collaborates closely with each recipient to customize and create a space within their home that best supports their needs and enhances their quality of life.
They design these spaces using soothing colors, ensuring cleanliness, incorporating calming sounds, pleasant scents, and comforting visuals.
By carefully selecting items, they aim to create a comfortable environment that aids the recipient in coping with their challenges and facilitates better recovery.
While My Happy Place recognizes their contribution as just one component of the overall healing journey, they believe it plays a crucial role in supporting individuals during their recovery process.
They aim for each recipient to experience a sense of companionship and support every time they enter their “happy place,” knowing they are surrounded by the care and encouragement of loved ones and their community.
Breanna’s joy was evident after her bedroom received a surprise makeover.
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