Imagine: You want to speak but you cannot. You try to open your eyes but your brain cannot send the signals. Senior Kari Kraakevik went through this making her presence at Pepperdine a true feat. Kraakevik is a miracle survivor of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
She started playing the clarinet at age six. However when she was 15 years old and already a talented musician Kraakevik was diagnosed with TSS which gravely affected her ability to continue on her musical path.
Two types of bacteria can cause TSS and Kraakevik suffered from the worst of the two. The initial symptoms include high fever and rash but the most serious symptoms include fainting complete organ-system failure and horrific skin rashes. Kraakevik experienced all of these symptoms but the cause of the serious bacterial infection is still unclear.
While on her way to see her doctor in her Arizona community who wrongly concluded that her symptoms signified the flu Kraakevik fainted and did not wake up for three months. The young musician was in a fight for her life.
“I knew whatever God wanted would happen; it didn’t matter if I died or not Kraakevik said. I just prayed that He would be with my family.”
Kraakevik describes being in a coma like being in a deep sleep; her whole body shut down. Once in the hospital doctors found a cancerous tumor in her uterus that prompted a partial hysterectomy. However the tumor was the least of their worries – she was in such horrible condition that they moved her to a research hospital where they could better monitor her health.
Despite all odds at age 16 Kraakevik woke up from her coma. Her birthday and whole summer vacation was spent in the hospital. Kraakevik said when woke up the situation was not obvious to her and her first thought was: “Why is my dad crying?”
Waking up was just the first step to an exhausting recovery. Kraakevik’s high fever caused brain damage and she said she lost a lot of her vocabulary and lacked the ability to construct sentences. TSS also deteriorated her muscles forcing her to relearn how to walk. The cause of the serious bacterial infection is still unclear.
In the hospital chemotherapy was a painful reality: She lost 80 percent of her long blonde hair and at various points had up to 28 IVs in her body which scarred her pelvic region.
After regaining consciousness Kraakevik spent another two months in treatment and recovery in the hospital. She said she was in such severe condition that the doctors used an experimental drug that saved her life.
However she will always suffer from complications from the illness: her immune system is not 100 percent healthy; she still suffers from seizures; and she is the same height she was when she began high school 5’2″. Also because of the partial hysterectomy Kraakevik didn’t start puberty until she was 19 years old. Doctors said she has a 50 percent chance of having kids which she accepts indifferently.
Kraakevik said she owes thanks to her family because of the strength they give her to make it through each day.
“It is out of your control. If God decides it is your time then it is your time. I guess it wasn’t my time Kraakevik said.
Because of fainting and seizures, returning to school was another obstacle and she could only attend half-days of high school. Although it took her a year longer than most students to complete high school, Kraakevik is now a student at Pepperdine.She is studying music and still playing the clarinet, even though her doctors advised against it. However, they did encourage her to take voice lessons to regain strength, and in doing so, she discovered her singing ability. She now has a commanding voice paired with her modest, shy demeanor.
I loved music from an early age but only after I got sick did I realize I could sing. Now I sing operatically and professionally Kraakevik said.
The drastic change in her life diverted her to a new future. Kraakevik said if she had not been diagnosed with TSS, she wouldn’t have upcoming auditions to graduate programs in voice and composition.
Being sick is probably the best thing that happened to me she said. It’s made me stronger and made me and be more determined while really developing a stronger foundation in Christ.” _Kraakevik spends time working for St. Mathew’s music guild and is in charge of arranging outreaches to inner city areas areas infected with AIDs retirement homes and struggling schools preparing herself for a life of purpose service and leadership.