Wendy's Medical Expenses

Many of you know Wendy Dayton from her years of service to the Dalton, GA community through EMS as a paramedic, or have had her as your nurse either in the ICU or ER. If you have had the pleasure of being one of her patients you know she has the upmost compassion and respect for her patients and has the knowledge and ability to save your life if needed. If you have had the pleasure of being her friend you know that she would literally give you the shirt off her back or the keys to her car if you were in need. She has the biggest heart and the best personality despite having gone through more hardship than most could even imagine. 

Just to briefly go over some of her many hardships as she is not one to seek sympathy: her and her siblings spent some time in foster care after the death of both her parents, after getting an education in aviation, the program she was working for was shut down so she pursued becoming a paramedic, her first husband died suddenly from a pulmonary embolus, and years later she met the love of her life, Dennis, who was recently diagnosed with Wegener's granulomatosis and is unable to work and has been denied disability, shortly after discovering her husband's diagnosis she was diagnosed with paradoxical vocal cord disfunction where her vocal cords spasm and shut when triggered by an irritant like cigarette smoke or pollen and cause her to need intubation and care in the ICU. Despite all of this she always has a smile on her face and has a positive outlook on life. 

After seeking treatment at Emory Hospital they were hopeful for progress but it was discovered that her body is dumping potassium along with other important electrolytes. This issue is causing muscle cramps including cramps of her diaphragm which only worsens her asthma and vocal cord disfunction. The cause of the dumping of electrolytes is still unknown and so far treatments have been unsuccessful. 

She was admitted on 9-16-17 due to a drop in her potassium on her lab work and hours after admission began having diaphragm cramps and stridor to her upper airway causing her to need to be intubated. Her doctors tried to wean her from the tube twice only to need to resecure her airway both times. This has been her longest admission to date since her diagnosis and has been her most difficult. They are discussing the possibility of a tracheostomy to have a permanent airway for her. 

Since she has had multiple admissions over the past 2 years and multiple outpatient procedures along with chemo treatment for her husband, their medical bills are piling up. Wendy would never ask for help herself and if she wasn't currently sedated she would never let me ask for her. Wendy has supported her and her family including siblings and nieces and nephews along with helping out friends and aquantainces when she saw a need. She has always been the one taking care of others and its our turn to help take care of her. 

Please consider making a donation to help pay for Wendy's medical bills. Any amount will help. We believe in the power of prayer so if you would also keep Wendy and Dennis and their family in your prayers it would be much appreciated. Thank you!