Shannon Simester

On November 18, 2017 Shannon had swelling in her elbow.  As a busy stay at home mom of three little ones she just ran to urgent care to get it looked at.  She was prescribed an antibiotic and went about her day.  By Sunday her entire arm became swollen and very uncomfortable.  She knew something was wrong but kept thinking the meds prescribed at urgent care would work.  By Monday morning at 5 am she went to The ER at Amita  La Grange Hospital.  She was immediately admitted and shortly thereafter diagnosed with Necrotizing Fasciitis.....commonly referred to as the flesh eating disease.  By 5 pm that night she had surgery.   Followed by another surgery the next day to clean the wound and be sure all the margins were clean.  At this point she was put on a ventilator and 3 life saving blood pressure meds because the infection in her body caused her blood pressure to drop dangerously low. Shannon was also diagnosed with Sepsis, an infection in her blood.  By Wednesday the doctors informed Scott, her husband and Nancy, her mother, that her kidneys were very weak and her liver was shutting down.  Later that day the doctors put her on dialysis which began to help her organs. At this writing Shannon is still on a ventilator and remains completely sedated.  She has had multiple dialysis treatments, the renal doctor has assured us that she is young and her kidneys should begin functioning on their own.  Each day they are trying to wean Shannon off the ventilator but have not yet been successful. On Sunday, November 26 Shannon was taken into surgery again, this time the infection was in the top of her hand.   The surgeon had to remove skin and tissue from her hand and they also cleaned up tissue from her arm.  Doctors have now decided to move Shannon to Loyola Hospital where they are better equipped In the burn  center and can help with skin grafts.  Shannon was transferred on Monday November 27. As all friends and family know, Shannon is a 37 year old stay at home mom with three little children.  Molly who is 5, Sully who is 3.5 and Quinn who is 2.   At this point Shannon is still in critical condition and medical expenses will continue to accrue. Her family will also need to arrange for daily childcare and help with daily household chores. Of course her husband Scott is juggling time at the hospital, at work and with the kids at home. Her mother is by her side as well. We appreciate any help you can donate to their family at this time. Thank you for your generosity to the Simester Family. With love and gratitude, Renee and Greg Gilleran