 Many, perhaps most, of you know the infamous Mattes couple: the lovely Dutch girl, Nikita (aka. Niki) & her Appalachian knight in shining armor, Wes... Many of you know their love story & watched it grow... some of you ever flew across the world to witness their declaration of love to one another...
Sadly I am posting to inform friends & loved ones that Niki has for some time been suffering from various medical issues (intensely aggravated by higher altitudes), one - a hellishly painful medical condition which greatly limits her abilities & robs her completely of her energy... And by the way, she has no health insurance.
As you may know, selfless that they are, they packed up & moved across the country to Montanan to help a friend in need. ...Now THEY need OUR help!
Nik & Wes have been talking & planning for some time to try to save & return to North Carolina where Wes's family resides, the altitude is lower, & to be near to the bulk of their support network.
I threatened to do this months ago (alert the media) but stubborn-ass that Nik is, she begged me not to & promised to kick my arse... however, at this point I'll take my chances.
Nikita is to be admitted into the hospital for concerns and complications relating to Congestive Heart Failure. CHF is nothing to screw around with to say the least.
Niki has always been the strong, determined, hard-working, nurturer who stands up for what she believes in, fights for the underdog, cares for everyone who has ever passed through her life & would, without hesitation, give away her last dime to anyone she thought needed it more... Those of us who know her, know this; it's why we love her.
I have set up a benefit account at their bank to accept donations to help with medical & general living expenses, & hopefully even a little left over to help bring Wes & Nik back home to North Carolina.
To make a donation, please make checks payable to:
Nikita Mattes Benefit
c/o First Interstate Bank
P.O. Box 10901
Bozeman, Montana 59719
According to the IRS, you may donate up to $12,000.00 to any individual without taxable repercussions, so pull out those bank rolls and please give what you can... 5, 10, 100, 12,000 dollars... anything at all - every little bit helps. And if you're not in the position to donate as you would like, please keep them close in your thoughts and prayers. Should you wish to make a donation via wire transfer (for example from overseas), you'll need to email me privately at: delacruz [dot] hopper [at] gmail [dot] com.
Please feel free to forward this page and/or information to anyone you know who might be interrested.
Thank you all in advance for showing Nik & Wes the love & concern that they've always dished out to everyone else... 
Crystal
Please note: If you are making a donation from within the US, you do not need an account #, simply make the check out to "Nikita Mattes Benefit" & address it to the bank as indicated above; it will be deposited into the proper account for them.
For those who wish to make donations from outside of the US, you will need the bank account & routing numbers. I will not post that information online rather will only provide that for people we know & who email me privately... for those who already have, please know that will pass that information a long as soon as I receive it from the bank.
 | I'm in. Thank you for getting this ball rolling. |
 | mivox wrote on Jul 29, '08 Oh wow ... as soon as I have anything to spare, I'll be sure to send something! :( |
 | Thank you Crystal. I'll email you for more information on how can I make a transfer from Mexico. |
 | Count me in too - I had her on msn only a few days ago where she said she needed to go back to hospital for some tests - but it never occurred to me it was that desperate! Email on it's way!
And will post it on my blog too. |
| Do we need the account number? |
 | kafkiana wrote on Jul 29, '08, edited on Jul 29, '08 Dear goodness. I just ordered a new checkbook, as soon as I get it I will send what I can. If you talk to them, tell them they are in my thoughts.
I will add this on my facebook (I know some people aren't active here anymore but are there). Is there anywhere where i can see how are they doing? |
| One thing that comes to mind... when I had my own health issues, needed urgent surgery, my husband at the time wasn't willing to help, and I had no health insurance nor money... I realized amidst all the chaos that flying to Spain where there's universal health care was the thing to do.
I am sure everyone has thought about all possibilities, but I just wanted to make sure I would add this, just in case, you know... |
| mivox wrote on Jul 29, '08 Yeah, if she could get back to Europe for the immediate medical care, that would probably save a lot of money ... then when her condition is improved, the could head back to N.C. and handle follow-up care there. |
 | Please note: If you are making a donation from within the US, you do not need an account #, simply make the check out to "Nikita Mattes Benefit" & address it to the bank as indicated above; it will be deposited into the proper account for them.
For those who wish to make donations from outside of the US, you will need the bank account & routing numbers. I will not post that information online rather will only provide that for people we know & who email me privately... for those who already have, please know that will pass that information a long as soon as I receive it from the bank.
Also, Wes & Nik do have a Pal Pal account as well... Wes is supposed to send me that info as well in case that works better for some.
Thanks again everyone! |
| The good news is... monies coming from Europe will certainly stretch a lot further since the dollar's not worth a shit these days! |
 | They were going to put her in the hospital (and were very close to doing it) but they decided to try one more medication trick to get rid of water. They also sent us home with oxygen which is making it much easier for her to maneuver in the house. We're keeping our fingers crossed that the new medication is going to make a big difference. |
| Thanks for the update Wes, but don't make it sound like you don't need the help... I know better. |
| I think Crystal is right, take the help you need. Let your friends help you. You've done it for others before and would do it again.
Glad you are home and crossing fingers here too.
Crystal, beautifully written post. And thanks for taking the initiative. |
 | Have been in touch about the Paypal method, but will also post a link to this article on my blog. |
Comment deleted at the request of the author.  | Sorry for dropping this... but here is one choice or option that I would like to offer to Niki (Shaleesa to me, please) why don´t you watch the movie: Sicko of Director: Michael Moore ?? it tells you about how bad is the health system in US and a few very sick people travel to Cuba and they received FREE health support and medicins were very very very very cheap. I know that to take a trip to Cuba you also need money, but you may probably pay less doing this on the global picture.
Who can give me hers address? , I haven´t see her online for a while :( . Kyno |
| Didn't they just make it even more difficult to go to Cuba from the United States, even if it is via Canada or Mexico? I mean, even if Niki could go as a European citizen, Wes probably couldn't. That is my understanding, unless things have changed a bit. Note to self: watch Sicko.
I am willing to put as much as I can afford to help fly you guys to the Netherlands where there's the system and the support net. I may not be able to do it all at once, but I can try and send a bit at a time.
I will help with what I can, whatever your choice is. |
| I think getting her back to Netherlands would be great, if at all possible. Just whatever it takes to get Niki better. |
 | mntnlover77 wrote on Jul 30, '08, edited on Jul 30, '08 
I am willing to put as much as I can afford to help fly you guys to the Netherlands where there's the system and the support net. I may not be able to do it all at once, but I can try and send a bit at a time.  I doubt they would let her fly in her current condition. She needs to get better first. Flying in her current condition with CHF would be extremely dangerous. After her condition stabilizes it would be safer. |
| mntnlover77 wrote on Jul 30, '08, edited on Jul 30, '08 I just got off the phone with Niki and she sounds so much better than yesterday. She's finally able to breathe and sleep and rest.
I know she appreciates all your thoughts and all of this. She's embarrassed (of course, since she has a hard time accepting help) but knows that she needs some help, and that we all love her and want her to get better.
She seems to be under the care of some really good doctors, so that was really good to hear.
Thank you, Crystal, for starting this for her! :) |
| Yes, ideally, Wes, you'd be able to go with her. We'll just cross our fingers and take it one day at a time, for now, I guess. LOVE YOU BOTH. |
 | Hello all 2 words "THANK YOU"
I am home now on oxygen, its my new best friend, thanks to that I can function "normal" (what ever that is :P) I have been through hell and back, I don't wish this on anyone! please keep your health high all it is so important.
Hell I scared myself , I mean heart failure on my age !!!
Any thanks for all heads up and prayers and good wishes, all is highly appreciated.
we will keep you all informed, take care my friends, words can't impress enough for what I really feel.
Niki xxxxxxx |
| Big tight hugs for you, Niki *smooch* |
 | Nou, Niki, ik kom er nu pas achter wat er aan de hand is, zeg! Het allerbeste ermee! Jee, jee!! |
| Ik heb meeste niet eens verteld ik loop niet met spandoeken rond ;)) hehe dank je ik vecht me er wel bovenop.
How was Holland ??? |
| Last night it felt back to zero again, my heart was playing tricks and hurt like hell :((
It was far from fun, slept kinda okay I guess. Will this ever be done ? *sigh* |
| *sigh* Yes it will, and you'll get better, I don't have any doubts about it. You're on my prayers, babe. Love you! |
| Wait a minute -- Crystal called us 'infamous.'
What do you mean by that?? ;) |
| *lots of TLC and gentle hugs for the infamous couple* |
| I was there... I know PERFECTLY WELL what she means by "infamous". ;-)
XOX |
| Its better then nothing ?? ;)) |
| How are you feeling today, Niki? |
| without breath, good thing I have oxygen lol.
its very hot here and pressure we will get rain an thunder I am pretty sure, my legs are in between itching and hurting, pretty annoying, but I am still smiling And teasing Wes. Thanks for asking.
Hows you all ??? |
| She enjoys teasing me it makes her feel way better. I just grit my teeth and bear it. ;) |
| pfffffffffffffffffff You are just fun to tease, you like to bite the bait :P |
| Awww, i think you are feeling better. |
| overall yeah better then I did last weeks, still got loads of pain and have to gasp for air, long road ahead hon, but we will take it no matter what, because at the end there is a reward you know ;) |
| A reward for all of us.
And of course it will take some time and you'll make it. Having people that love you --whether online or offline-- makes a great difference, doesn't it? |
 | heiko wrote on Aug 4, '08 nikita: good to see you check in, here.
but ... get better, dammit! :)
sending good thoughts to you. i hope you'll get (and take :)) whatever you need to be better. |
| Didn't want to go to bed without saying goodnight to the infamous couple.
Also, i got my checkbook today! They didn't misspell my name YAY! But the couldn't spell my street address. Hope that isn't a problem.
Night, good people. |
| Aww Hope you slept well Tati :)) *hugs* |
| oke seen Doc today, I lost 40+ pounds fluids in 1.5 week, water pills the new diet ? ;) ) Anyway they told me between nose and lips I am probably diabetic too which doesn't surprise me at al since almost whole my family has it.
They took blood again and I need to go for a ECG when ? I will hear seems we are not done yet , arghhhhhhhh more bills :| |
| My gosh, Niki.... over 40 pounds in a week?! That's insane! I sure hope that means you feel a little better. *HUGS*HUGS*HUGS* |
| That's a lot of weight loss! :-o
When will you know the results about the diabetes?
Hugs and kisses, I hope you're sleeping well and felling beter my Niki |
| I hope the weight loss helps with some of your health issues, especially if you are at risk for diabetes. As far as you don't lose more!
Help for the bills or whatever is on the way. Please, keep us posted about what you may need, and i will try and send more... whenever my clients feel like paying me :)
big gentle hugs and good night! |
| Meegs - Oh yes I do, we go out for lunch now since a few days, jut 1 to 2 hours in a park with a good book, I love it, I am so tired sitting in the house HUGS back :)
My Anabel - I think I will hear more after blood tests, most things I can do thanks to oxygen, we will see how long they let me keep that.
Tati!! Yes it does help. walking stairs is with the oxygen and lots easier. they gave me lower dose water pills, else it drains me to much, partly relieve though , peeing every 10 to 15 minutes is getting annoying LOL. I will keep you all informed, when I know more you will and thanks for all support :)) |
| Do you have the information for international deposits yet? |
| hmm no idea, Wes has paypal if that helps ? |
| This afternoon Wes and I were in one of the many parks to have lunch (my daily outing) and at a point a pregnant woman came to us and said, "I am sorry I noticed you have oxygen may I ask what wrong?" I told her and then she asked me "do you mind if I pray for you?" Isn't that just sweet ???? she asked my name and did it right there. Very nice to see that even strange people still care. |
| heiko wrote on Aug 14, '08 wow, that's an impressive story. and very nice indeed. |
| Isn't it ??? :)))
Tomorrow morning I have my ECG. |
| Good luck, and keep us posted. *Hugs* |
| Hope it went well.
Hugs to both of you. |
| Okay I have some information about the ECG, normally peoples heart pumps about 60% , mine does 30% so the CHF is official/more proved (whatever you prefer ;) )
I am diabetes 2 and lost 62 pounds in fluids now, so my dose water pills is brought down. Else it goes too fast.
Weeee more meds and such. in 1 1/2 weeks I have blood draws again. |
| Meegs and Tati thanks *Hugs* |
 | OMG!!! I'm so sorry & of course happy that she is better now.
Dear, I hoped I could help her but truly I have a little saved money because I've started to work & saving money recently! I'm so sorry :((
I can just pray for our dearest Niki & send her nice Emails to make her soul fresh!
I hope Niki will accept my prayers!
Love Nikita & you dear Crystal!
Marjan |
| I will accept and its much appreciated hon, thank you :) XXXXX |
| Today a amount showed on the benefit account, you all surprised me thank you so so much!!!! and its not even all there is still on paypal too.
All I know what to say with very warm thoughts for all of you is "THANK YOU!" XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX |
| Today I went back to the Doc, My heart is still not good so I get a Beta blocker, my sugar level is still to high, but we work on that, I lost 69 pounds now :D I have to go back in 2 weeks. |
| WOW Niki, 69 pounds?!?! Goodness! That still just blows my mind.
When you go back in 2 weeks will they do another ECG or anything? Is there a treatment *plan* in place yet, or is it still kind of "wait and see where we were in 2 weeks"?
How are you feeling? Are you still using the oxygen? |
| They want to see the result of the diabetes pills and the beta-blocker (to help my heart) , I will start some exercise as well and then see how far we can get that down. isn't the weight amazing ?!?! I still don't get it, I didn't realize I blew up that much, I probably first filled up holes or so LOL. I still want to loose fat, I am going to try to do that right after and yes I am still on oxygen. But overall I feel better then I have done in weeks. |
 | Niki!
I didn't know! I'll light a candle for you (and you know I will!!!!)
Hugs for your recovery!
Kimberly |
| Yes hon I know you will. thank you so much! XXX |
| Still thinking of you, now from Spain. I will bring you some sun back. |
| Hi hon thanks! Have a good time with your family :))) |
| How are you doing, honey? Any recent trips to the doc, any updates? *hugs* |
| Thursday I see my Doc again, then I know more. besides cramps in my heart from time to time I feel ok :) thanks for asking, how are you ?!?! *hugs* |
| New update:
Doc was happy. I lost more weight, and my heart was slower.. which means that it can pomp more :D:D Then it will get rite of more fluids! I can sport more can try 1/2 hour a day. so YAY! me.
Tomorrow the oxygen nurse comes to give me other regulators that will only give me oxygen when I don't breathe and to put me on a monitor next night , he thinks I have sleep apathy.
So anyway I don't have to come back sooner then next month, unless something happens. :) |
| YAY! I love good news!!
*big hugs* |
| Wow, Niki, you are like a superhero. You and Wes are. I am at a loss for words.
Sleep apathy... does it have anything to do with sleep apnea (words came back).
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs. And PLEASE let us know if you need anything from us! |
| Ok, so you need more money, right? Say it, dammit! It will be up to us to decide if we want or can contribute more, but please say it. I am not sure when or how much, but I will be happy to help. And I will be utterly pissed if you don't tell us what you need, did you understand that? *threatening Mexican voice*
Now... congrats on the liver thing and the weight loss. You are doing great. I just wish I was closer to come bug you personally. Oh well, I am sure one day I will.
Sleep apnea is a pain in the ass. But at least you know you have it and it can be treated. Then you will feel more energetic again.
Kisses, hugs and all sorts of cheesy things to both of you! |
| Oh no! Tat's using her threatening Mexican voice!
*runs* |
| Yeah, I even intimidated myself a little bit. |
| /me shivers yes ma'am. *hides* |
| Yea we could use more, but I don't dare to say that now :/ |
| Oooh. Assertive Tati. I like it. |
| Since we're all all over the place & some of us (like me) are rarely on Multiply anymore or Facebook, etc.... I've set up a blog for information in one central location for inquiring minds who wanna know more about what's going on with Nikita & Wes out in the middle of Montanaland. http://nikiandwes.blogspot.com/ |
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