Area woman battles rare condition
Last April, Marilyn Rabehl was walking up her stairs and had to stop midway to catch her breath. She was feeling tired, dizzy and was short of breath.
"It hit me so fast it wasn't even funny," said Rabehl.
Marilyn Rabehl
Medical staff later found that Rabehl's red blood cell count was dangerously low, so low that they couldn't believe she had walked into Brainerd Medical Center. She was immediately sent to St. Joseph's Medical Center and given blood products. During her hospital stay, it was determined that she has aplastic anemia, a rare and serious condition where the body stops producing enough new blood cells. Treatments may include medications, frequent blood transfusions or a bone marrow transplant. It was once considered to be a nearly always fatal disease but with advances in treatment, patients who suffer from aplastic anemia have a better prognosis, according to the Mayo Clinic's Web site.
Benefit planned Friday
A benefit for Marilyn Rabehl is planned from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the Brainerd American Legion, 708 Front St. in Brainerd. Rabehl has been diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a life-threatening condition.
Rabehl is unable to work and her insurance is not covering all of the costs of the air ambulance, treatment and therapies. The benefit is planned to help her family with expenses.
Cost is $6 for dinner, which includes grilled burgers and all-you-can-eat sweet corn.
Raffle tickets will be sold in advance and at the door. A silent auction also is planned throughout the event.
Donations also are being accepted to the Marilyn Rabehl benefit fund at all Bremer Bank locations.
To make a donation or for more information, contact Ron and Judy Niemeyer at 851-5151, Barb Moilanen at 829-9482 or Debbie at Zion Lutheran Church at 829-4317.
Rabehl was referred to the Mayo Clinic, which confirmed her diagnosis. A bone marrow transplant was ruled out because of her age and after multiple stays at St. Joseph's and Rochester Methodist Hospital in recent months, she is at home. She goes to St. Joseph's every day for infusion therapy via an IV drip to build up her immune system and to kill bacteria that they found in her lungs. She has to wear a mask when she goes out and is highly susceptible to getting sick.
"I'm a whole new person," Rabehl joked, referring to the many blood products she's received. "It's a crazy thing, because you just feel tired all the time, but I'm starting to gain strength back and feel like I can do a few things, but not a whole lot."
Rabehl won't be able to attend the benefit planned for her Friday at the American Legion in Brainerd because of her compromised immune system but her pastor is going to set up a Webcast so she can see and speak to everybody at the benefit from her Baxter home.
Rabehl and her husband, Jim, have two daughters, Kim Kainz and Karla Wahl; a son, Troy Rabehl; five grandchildren; four step-grandchildren and one step-grandchild. They have both been active in the community.
Rabehl has served as an assistant secretary at Zion Lutheran Church for more than 16 years and has been active in 4-H as a leader for more than 40 years, including many years as the leader of the Baxter Sandpipers 4-H Club. She is the Crow Wing County 4-H Foods and Nutrition leader and has served as a county fair judge in foods and nutrition for nine counties. She's been on the state 4-H Food and Nutrition Project development committee for five years and was on the state 4-H Arts and Crafts Project Development Committee. She also is a member of the St. Joseph's Medical Center Auxiliary and the Crossing Arts Alliance. She enjoys reading, cooking and working with children.
"I have an optimistic outlook on life," Rabehl said. "I feel very strongly - I have strong faith - and there's got to be a reason for all of this. Everything in life happens for a reason and we may never know why but I'm sure it's out there. Our faith gets us through."
Rabehl said she's grateful for her friends and all those who are hosting the benefit for her Friday.
"I never did want a benefit in the first place, I'm not a charity case, but as the bills started piling up, I'm very grateful that these people did this on their own," said Rabehl. "It's nice."
To keep updated on Rabehl's health condition or to leave a message of support, visit her CaringBridge Web site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/ marilynrabehl.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.