Good Things Come To Those Who Wait!

It would take many pages to tell the story of a young lady who has experienced an unpredictable twist in her life and her family's life. This is a long post, but I promise it is abbreviated as best I can.

Caring. Loving. Funny. Selfless. Determined. Proud. Mother. Wife. Mentor. Faith. Loyal. Hope.

The definition of an Angel who has touched many hearts, and she continues to put others ahead of her medical ordeal. Those who personally know Laurel would agree. "Exceptional" would be spoken often. She gives unselfishly, never judges others and expects nothing in return except for others being happy. Laurel is a retired (disability) high school Spanish teacher. Respected by her students, parents and colleagues. After eighteen years of teaching and mentoring, health issues finally took their toll, and Laurel had to retire and go on disability. This decision was the right one, but it broke her heart.

Like so many families who are faced with health issues and the unknown, it introduces an emotional roller coaster and, sadly, the financial burden that comes with a chronic and debilitating illness. Laurel was diagnosed in 1998 originally with ITP and the initial concern was leukemia. After a bone marrow test, it was quickly determined that Laurel had SLE (lupus). That diagnosis began a very long and unpredictable journey that continues to show its fierce side today.

Many aren't aware of what has transpired since that early diagnosis. A splenectomy, appendectomy, gall bladder removal ... years of Cytoxan treatments, and the treatments and systemic diagnosis continued. Lupus Nephritis, Sjogren's, Raynauds, pulmonary issues and some serious GI issues the past year and a half. The path was a very complicated one.

September 2021 Laurel had a minor GI procedure to help with her chronic pneumonia bouts and bad acid reflux. This procedure resulted in an SBO, which resulted in surgery to fix the SBO and the removal of part of her bowel. The complications that followed over the next several months saw numerous admissions, infections, and nutrition (TPN) through her PICC line. Continuous ER visits to the MAYO and admissions were no closer to answers.

It was near the end of February when things turned for the worse. A severe infection began a surprising cycle. This was the first episode of C diff (Clostridioides difficile )

After the two-week admission, Laurel came home still on TPN. It took about a week and a half before the next ER visit. The Dx? The second bout of C diff. This resulted in another admission and aggressive antibiotic treatment. In April (April 14th) , the third bout of C diff resulted in an emergency colectomy (removal of the colon) with end ileostomy (ostomy bag). On May 15th Laurel was transferred from the Mayo Clinic to an LTAC facility in Florida, not very close to home. Terry made the commute almost daily to Green Cove Springs.

Early June, Laurel was discharged home with home health care. Since June Laurel has spent a lot of her time in the Mayo Clinic with continued complications; during this time a feeding tube was inserted into her stomach (G tube). On August 31st she was discharged home again. Her multidisciplinary team @ the Mayo Clinic are working with the family on a game plan to introduce some quality of life for Laurel.

Complicated cases eventually lead to a financial burden and substantial medical bills. Terry, Laurel and Christopher keep a lot of these health issues private. They have been able to whittle down the medical bills over the years but it has finally caught up with them. Their means and resources have been exhausted, but the bills keep rolling in.

Prayers are always welcomed, and donations are always accepted.

For transparency, Terry- Laurel's husband provided some information when asked.