Updated: January 31, 2026

Current Condition

My wife is Suffering from critical lung failure and fighting for her life at Harborview Medical in Seattle WA. Doctors have been unable to definitively identify a clear cause of her illness and do not have a cure. She is being kept alive by a machine called ECMO, which temporarily replaces the function of her lungs.

At 1:30 a.m. on January 29, 2026, the ECMO machine malfunctioned, causing her to lose most of her blood. Her heart stopped for approximately four minutes. While doctors performed CPR, they replaced the ECMO machine and the blood she had lost. She survived this event and is still alive today.

How This Began

Before Christmas, my wife was admitted to Allenmore Hospital after being diagnosed with a kidney infection. During her week-long stay, she was roomed with a patient who had pneumonia, despite her already compromised immune system.

Upon discharge from Allenmore, she was prescribed an antibiotic called Bactrim, which she took exactly as directed.

After several days on the medication, we attempted to follow up with the infectious disease specialist recommended by Allenmore. We were told that her referral had been denied, that they were not accepting new patients, and that the office was closed on weekends. We were instructed to wait until Monday. That Saturday, my wife developed a rash, dizziness, and a fever.

Hospital Transfers

We returned to Allenmore Hospital, where she remained for about a week. During that time, doctors told us they could not determine the cause of her illness or find a cure. They then decided it was best to transfer her to Tacoma General, where she stayed for another week.

While at Tacoma General, her condition worsened until the final two days, when she became stable. Despite this stability, doctors transferred her to Harborview Medical Center due to concerns that her condition could suddenly deteriorate.

Rapid Decline at Harborview

After arriving at Harborview, a doctor recommended a medication for her respiratory system. I advised against this because she was stable and not getting worse. Despite my concerns, the medication was introduced into her breathing apparatus.

Immediately afterward, she suffered a severe reaction. She lost energy, and her supplemental oxygen had to be increased to the maximum level.

ECMO and Critical Incidents

On January 21, 2026, doctors placed her on ECMO after her lungs could no longer support her on their own. ECMO carries an estimated 50% mortality rate, and she may still require a lung transplant.

Since being placed on ECMO, there have been multiple critical incidents:

As of today, my wife has been on ECMO for only 10 days. We have been told that the only other person in Washington State with a similar condition remained on ECMO for five months.

About My Wife and Our Situation

Our first wedding anniversary is on February 1st, and she turns 25 on February 16th. I am the only family member here who can support her. She has dreamed of traveling the world since she was a child and worked extremely hard to build that future. Before this happened, I was working to grow my small business. At this moment, both of our futures have been completely derailed.

Financial Impact

The financial burden has already become overwhelming, even with insurance:

The total duration of her hospital stay will result in life-altering medical debt.

How Donations Will Be Used

All donations will go toward medical bills and basic living expenses while I remain by her side. If, by some miracle, funds remain after medical costs are addressed, they will be used to purchase the vehicle she was saving for and to travel to national parks, something she had always dreamed of doing.

If the outcome is fatal, 100% of the funds will go directly to her family in Brazil.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Whether you donate or not, please keep my wife in your thoughts and prayers.