A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR MAMA

Aloha everyone. My name is Brittnie and I am doing this fundraiser for my daughter Etteleia. This past weekend (Friday, April 20th) my daughter started to show symptoms of having an asthma attack. Something we're familiar with as she's had them a few times before. I gave her the usual at home treatments for her asthma and continued to monitor her at home. Monday, April 23rd, her condition got worse and she started having very bad chest contractions and a hard time breathing. At 2 pm I took her to the ER in Hilo. We got admitted to the hospital at 5 pm. She had tested positive for RSV. RSV is a respiratory virus that is a pretty common viral infection. With a virus, normally it just gives a person a bad cold and you just let it run its course and life will get back to normal in a matter of days. Well, because she's only 22 months and she already has respiratory problems due to her asthma, Etteleia's  (Mama's) body took it harder than you or I would have taken the virus, and her body basically shut down.

Her oxygen level dropped. She was having chest contractions with every breath she took. She hadn't eaten or drank anything since Sunday. She was put on an IV, taken chest X-rays, steroids, Albuterol treatments, oxygen, nothing seemed to help her get better. Tuesday afternoon around 4 pm, the doctor explained that she is going to be medivac'd that night to Kapiolani children's hospital where they have the facilities and  can provide better treatment for her.

We arrived in Honolulu Tuesday night at 11:56 pm. She was taken to Kapiolani and was able to get her breathing stabilized by 2:30 am. She was then transferred to Kaiser (our insurance provider) at 10 am and has been here since. 

So far her little body has been through 3 different hospitals, numerous Albuterol and steroid treatments, and 24/7 oxygen.
She is progressively getting better. The fevers have stopped. She finally started eating and drinking again. But she still requires 24/7 oxygen, because her oxygen level is just too low in her little body, therefore she will remain here in Kaiser Oahu until she can recover.

Today is day 5 in the hospital and I have never left her since the beginning. I have had to take off of work until further notice and her Daddy has had to fly back and forth but remains in Hilo for work and with our 2 other children (whom she and I miss TREMENDOUSLY)
My faith in God has kept me going. And we have had tremendous love and support from our families. Prayers have been a wonderful support also.

I normally don't like to do this.  Anyone that knows me knows I'm not one to ask for money. But we are not sure as to how long we will be off island and what our portion of the bill will look like in the end.  Even if you cannot donate, please share and spread the word. Every little bit helps. I just want to help get a breath of fresh air for Mama and help bring her home.