Marlene Otterness

Marlene was admitted to the hospital on January 26 with severe pain, jaundice and fluid retention. Her health declined rapidly and within 3 days she was put in a drug induced coma while Doctors at HCMC worked to save her life. She has advanced liver disease and complications due to her body's inability to remove toxins. She also developed pneumonia and soon turned septic. The team in the ICU were able to treat her with antibiotics and the infection is now gone. Marlene was in a coma until February 17th when the breathing tube was removed and she was put on high flow oxygen. They moved her out of the ICU but after 2 days her health began declining yet again and they had to sedate her once more, intubate and move her back to the surgical ICU. They found fluid around her lungs and yesterday they put chest tubes in and drained a liter of fluid. She is still critical at this point. They are leaving her on a vent to try to strengthen her lungs and plan to put a trach in to assist her breathing efforts. The future is uncertain but we are hoping and praying for her to recover, however, the doctor told us that she will have some permanent damage but everything is unknown. Marlene has a heart of gold, she has been through so much over the last few years but she always worked hard to support herself and family and she was even working while in pain up until days before she was admitted. The Doctor said she has been very sick for a long time. She has been my friend since the 7th grade, we went to school together, college and we worked side by side at Jerseys for many years. Marlene would do anything for anyone and she put everyone before herself. Marlene needs help now. She needs prayers and positive thoughts and of course...money too. Obviously, this hospital stay and her inability to work and pay her bills is rapidly creating financial hardship. At this point, visitors are welcome however her day to day health status changes and sometimes visitors can overstimulate her. She is sedated but coherent and has been responding to recognizable faces and voices and she does get excited to see her friends.  If anyone chooses to see her, know that the visit should be short and she cannot eat or drink so please don't bring food and if you have any flu like symptoms wait until you are completely well as her immune system is not functioning as it used to.  Thank you for any prayers, positive vibes and financial donations. I know Marlene would appreciate it but if it was up to her, she would never ask for it.  I will update often as her health changes.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! Also, please post any pics you have with her. I know she will be thrilled to see how many people truly love her and she knows we are here and she is not alone. Sincerely, Allison Steenberg