Last month, three weeks before my wedding here in Brooklyn, NY, my mother, Kathleen Prince, traveled to Trinidad to take care of legal matters for her 93-year-old father who lives with her here in Brooklyn, NY. What was supposed to be a quick trip turned into a life-changing event. Within five days of my mother’s trip, she started having difficulty breathing. Unlike other times where her asthma medication would have helped her, this time it did not. On the sixth day of her visit, with a weak pulse, she was rushed to San Fernando Emergency Room; a local neighboring hospital with limited medical resources. As doctors scrambled to help her, they realized the gravity of the condition of her lungs; among other issues. They urgently worked to get her under the care of a pulmonary critical specialist at West Shore Medical Hospital – a private hospital on the island. There, Kathleen was diagnosed with a Pneumothorax, also known as a collapsed lung, among other issues.
West Shore Hospital stabilized her condition, but informed us that it would take several weeks before she could possibly leave the island. This meant she would miss my wedding. My one true wish from when I was a young girl, was to have both parents walk me down the aisle. You see my mother is a fighter. Eleven years ago she survived a brain aneurysm that resulted in a neurological condition that causes her pain in her face on a daily basis. Watching her persevere through the pain, continue to care for her 93-year-old father, and sitting with my father (who's on dialysis) multiple times a week, is a testament to her strength. She doesn’t complain, and she never says no to helping others. She is the first person that we call for encouragement. I would often tell her that her heart is too big for her body. My wedding day was a special day, that we were looking forward to celebrating together. My soon to be husband and I wrestled with cancelling the wedding, but with my mother’s blessing, we continued on; and shortly afterwards, headed for Trinidad to be with her.
During our visit, the doctors determined that they could not provide the medical/surgical care that she needed. They urged us to have her medically air evacuated to the United States. Although necessary, medical evacuation was a very difficult and concerning decision due to high-risk complications involving the lungs and air pressure. She needed to get to the closest US hospital; which was Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. The doctors worked tirelessly to get her accepted there; while also securing a medical plane, with specialized medics on board to manage any complications.
Upon arrival at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, my mom was quickly placed under the care of the Cardiothoracic & Pulmonary specialists. She is currently hospitalized there while doctors continuously work to determine the cause of the illness.
Many people have reached out to our family to ask how they could help beyond their prayers and well wishes. As you might imagine, medical costs quickly accumulated involving the hospitals, medical plane, and travel expenses to and from Trinidad; which were all paid for out of pocket. Expenses continue to rise as my family and I consistently travel to be by mom’s side in Miami, Florida. While we are preparing for the next steps of her rehabilitation, know that your continued prayers and positive thoughts are appreciated. If you wish to make a financial contribution, you can do so here. No one plans for traumatic events like this; but with a strong faith and a loving community surrounding us, we are working to fulfill my mother's wish to get her back home to Brooklyn, NY.
Thank you for all the support. We will keep everyone posted on her updates.
The loving family of Kathleen Prince.