Kierstin is Dancing Thru Recovery
On April 28th Kierstin (better known as daughter, sister (sissy), auntie, niece, granddaughter and friend) was rushed to Methodist Hospital. She was unresponsive and her condition perplexed the doctors. The doctors soon discovered a bacterial infection in her left calf (necrotizing fasciitis) that had spread into her blood stream. Kierstin was rushed into surgery in an effort to remove the infection from her leg and to stabilize her vitals. After days in critical condition in the ICU with her body not stabilizing and the infection in her left calf not retreating, but instead the infection began to move up her leg, her family had to make the heart wrenching decision to have the lower portion of her leg amputated in order to give her a chance to survive. The surgery went better than the doctors expected, however Kierstin remained in critical condition. This surgery showed promise but still the infection was present and a second, further amputation, was needed. After the surgery she was able to fight back and started to slowly improve and got stronger every day; so strong that they moved Kierstin out of the ICU.
Then, on May 15th (two weeks after the first amputation), the doctors informed Kierstin and the family that the bacteria had spread up her leg and that further amputation was required in order to remove the infection and provide Kierstin a chance to survive. After this surgery, it was decided that a move to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) in downtown Minneapolis would provide Kierstin greater odds of beating the infection. HCMC has a deeper bench of staff and their Burn Intensive Care Unit (BICU) has seen the most cases of necrotic fasciitis in Minnesota.
So, on May 16th, Kierstin was transferred to HCMC and underwent another surgery that afternoon (Surgery #9). After the surgery, the surgeons said Kierstin was now clinically and medically stable. The focus now was shifted from survival to recovery. In addition to the surgery, the only way to remove the infection from Kierstin’s leg, HCMC has a Hyperbaric Chamber Medicine team HCMC has a Hyperbaric Chamber Medicine team (https://www.hennepinhealthcare.org/specialty/center-for-hyperbaric-medicine/) where they place Kierstin in an oxygen rich and controlled environment to aid and assist in the healing process. Kierstin has continued to fight back and we are happy to report there is no longer any infection!
Though the infection is now gone, Kierstin faces two more surgeries (Surgeries 13 & 14 which will provide reconstruction) before she can leave the hospital and start inpatient rehab. If you would like to learn more about Kierstin’s healing and/or keep up with her recovery process, you can read about it on her CaringBridge page which has regular journal updates posted: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kierstinnelson-whileyouweresleeping
The road of recovery in front of Kierstin is long. After she completes her month stay in the hospital, she will have inpatient and outpatient rehab, continued doctor visits, possible surgeries, and the fitting and purchase of a prosthetic. We have no doubt that Kierstin will take on each step of recovery with strength and grace mirroring how she has already fought; but we want to come along side of her and provide as much support as possible.
After learning about Kierstin’s journey many of you have asked how you can also support Kierstin. One of the things you can do is provide support through this site. Anything you feel led to give is greatly appreciated and all money fundraised will go to Kierstin to help alleviate the financial burden that comes with her recovery.
Kierstin’s improvement has astonished the amazing doctors and nurses that God provided to Kierstin and has only confirmed what we already knew, that Kierstin is one of the strongest people we have ever known and that nothing is impossible with God. The recovery road is long but we know that He has brought her through and her victory is His. There’s no shadow He won’t light up, no mountain He won’t climb up, no wall He won’t kick down, no lie He won’t tear down coming after us. That is the overwhelming, never ending, Reckless Love of God.
Thank you for the prayers, support, care, and love you have shown and continue to show Kierstin. We can’t wait for the moment we get to post that she is leaving the hospital stronger than ever.
