Kat Bjelland, singer of Babes in Toyland, suffering stage 4 liver failure

Here's the text Kat's sister posted in the Facebook group for Babes in Toyland—it's a bit rambling, and she mentions that Courtney Love apparently lived with her at one time(?)

[quote]Am not sure if this is appropriate yet I feel desperate! Kat is my sister & I have not seen her for 5 years. She called me recently & was very sad & crying. She said she is dying. Stage 4 liver failure. She’s been in & out of the hospital & already been revived after “dying” several times she said. She’s currently staying in Mpls with an old friend & her bf. I know it’s been over a year she was diagnosed - I’m not sure how long ago - or how long she has - or if anything can be done. I have read some posts on here over the last year & I know she has many devoted fans & I know she’s a very private person & I don’t want her angry with me for posting this - I figure it’s at least a private group!

[quote]I just wanted to know in case anyone had any connections or ideas about perhaps something in another country where they might have more ability to do something like get her a transplant? I know this is a long shot - & it may be already too late - I just pray & wish it’s not! I would love to see a miracle & have her recover - she’s so talented & I know I could help her overcome her challenges if given a chance. I’ve been very ill myself with a rare disease & weak these past years which is why I haven’t more actively gotten involved - to stage an intervention or something! She has had no one - no family member that’s been closer to her than me for many years! & I feel like I have failed her sometimes - that I didn’t do more - knowing she had a problem.

[quote]I never knew how intensive it was until more recently - in talking with her band mates Maureen & Lori - hearing some of the stories. I know it’s been something she’s struggled with since not long out of high school. I guess I just wasn’t facing it all myself! We’ve all had our own emotional issues - having been raised by parents who were abusive more than supportive. (Not to dishonor them - I’m sure they did the best they could - just stating facts!) my mother wasn’t her biological mother - she raised her since she was 2 when she married my father - who had her since she was a baby & her biological mother - who he was married to for awhile - left her with him after they divorced. My mom basically disowned her after divorcing my father - who died not too long after (another real tragedy!) & was the only real glue in our family - that kept us all connected.

[quote]It’s been a long, hard journey - this life for me so far - I feel like I have barely begun to live & I know she’s lived a full life - a rockstar life! Traveling the world many times - meeting many interesting people (Timothy Leary was a fan & introduced them on stage in SF once - had them over to his house for dinner she said he made spaghetti!) Courtney Love (her friend since a teen that I met when they were roommates in Portland & I was like 16) lived with me for awhile in Mpls - pre Kurt. When Kat was just forming Babes in Toyland. That was quite the time we all had in Minneapolis! I could write s whole book just about the time Courtney lived with me!

[quote]That experience alone changed the course of MY life BIG TIME! (Not sure yet if it was good or bad!) she has so many stories - & I’d love to hear more of them! If only there was something that could be done & she could get a transplant & live through this! Not have it end in such tragedy - as our lives have both been for many years (in my opinion!) I hope this wasn’t wrong of me to do - perhaps I’m not thinking clearly - I’m not ok myself right now - which is why I feel so desperate to see if anyone out there could possibly help! I figured it was worth a shot - if by some miracle it could do something to save her life.