Heart For Leah

My family needs alot of prayer and support during this very difficult time. My beautiful niece, her name is Leah Mendez. She is 11 year's old and is a bright ball of energy, and is a very loving little girl who likes to play with her friends, swim, and go to summer camps with her church. She was taken to the Little Company of Mary Hospital ER in San Pedro with stomach flu symptoms this past Saturday May 6, 2017. Upon receiving analysis results Doctors found fluid build up surrounding her liver, and heart. She was then transported to Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach CA. where they conducted further analysis. Unable to treat her due to not having the adequate medical equipment Leah needed for her condition, Leah was then transported via air medical helicopter to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where Leah remains in very cridical condition, on a respiratory ventillation oxygen machine inside the ICU. Once stabalized Doctors conducted several analysis to try and determine why her heart is failing. Doctors conducted a MRI where they were able to determine that Leah has a rare heart condition called "Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently. The decreased heart function can affect the lungs, liver, and other body systems, Dilated cardiomyopathy might not cause symptoms, but for some people it can be life-threatening. A common cause of heart failure — the heart's inability to supply the body with enough blood — dilated cardiomyopathy can also contribute to irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), blood clots or sudden death.
Monday night May 8, 2017 Leah developed a fever which led to her having  seizures. Staff struggled to
stabilize Leah, there is not much the Doctors or staff can do. Leah's liver cannot tolerate any additional medication at this point. Leah's body core temperature is being managed by a Nonpharmacologic intervention equipment in an effort to control Leah's low grade fever to prevent further seizures. On Tuesday May 9, 2017 Leah unfortunately suffered a heart attack, and was in a full cardiac arrest. By the Grace of God, Doctors and medical staff were able to succesfully resucitate Leah, and stabalized her.
A team of Doctors, and several pediatric heart specialist conducted a meeting today May 10, 2017 to discuss Leah's treatment. Doctors have come to a conclussion that Leah needs a heart transplant in order to save her life. Leah will remain in the hospital and is scheduled to have a heart biopsy next week. This is the most recent information we have regarding Leah's condition at this time. We will continue to update this page daily as we receive new information and or updates. 
I created this campaign to help my older brother Cesar Mendez and sister in-law Lucero Mendez with their financial responsbilities. They have both stopped working to be by their daughter Leah's bedside for a uncertain amount of time. Lucero, has not left her daugter Leahs bedside since this nighmare began May 6, 2017. As a mother myself my heart hurts to see them so distraught and heart broken over this horrible unexpected tragedy. I humbly ask if you can find it in your hearts to please make any donation to help support our family to get through this hard time.  "All expenses for the Mendez Family during this difficult time." 

Thank You for taking the time to read "heart for Leah" campaign story. Please feel free to share Leahs story with your family and friends.

NOTE: Per medical staff and Doctors Leah cannot receive any flowers, or balloons of any kind at this time until further notice.
Visitation is reserved for immediate family only at this time until further notice. Leah can however receive greeting cards. Please feel free to send any get well greeting cards to, "Leah Mendez". Further more, please feel free to ask any questions or concerns regarding Leah in the comments section in this campaign.

                                             Sincerely,
                                          Mendez Family