Nicole's miracle journey continues
Donation protected
Nicole's ordeal began benignly enough in late January, when she felt unwell. She went to a walk-in clinic and was told it was likely the flu. After spending a weekend resting, she visited her family doctor the following week and was told to go to emergency if the symptoms worsened. When she was having trouble breathing the next day, her husband Jeff called an ambulance and she was rushed to hospital.
Nicole was almost immediately sedated and a breathing tube was inserted. Diagnosed as Streptococcus A Pneumonia this potentially fatal bacterial infection caused Nicole's system and all of her organs to immediately shut down. Just days later, doctors were preparing the family for the worst. They gave her about a 10 per cent chance of surviving and warned her husband that she would likely lose her arms and legs to amputation - can you imagine the shock that you would have if your whole world turned upside down in just a few days?!
For over 50 days, Nix was in ICU at Credit Valley Hospital. "It was a nightmare," said Jeff. "We have two young children and Nicole is such ·an amazing mother and woman who's so loved by so many people." Incrdeibly, Nicole was able to recover. The hospital staff call her the "miracle woman" because she survived despite the terrible odds.
Seven months later, Nicole is still in the hospital retraining her muscles to walk again. It is incredibly tough and takes every ounce of her strength to walk down the hall with a walker and a nurse in a wheelchair following close behind just in case she needs a rest.
The amazing spirit, courage and determination of Nicole will help her succeed but, it will be a long journey of recovery. When she is well enough to get released from the hospital, Jeff and Nicole will need to make many modifications to their home - perhaps a wheelchair ramp or the widening of an entrance for example. In the interim, Jeff is trying to earn a living to support his family, nuture his wife, run the household and love and care for their two beautiful little girls. It is a lot of stress for anyone.
What are family and friends for if not to help each other out in times of stress and need. If not with money perhaps they would appreciate other help in the form of labour or prepared meals -not sure best to check with them - anything to relieve the incredible burden that this rare and tragic disease has brought upon them. There is also a t-shirt campaign that has been organized with all proceeds going to Nicole. Please purchase a t-shirt and take your photo in it. Nicole's family intend to make a collage of all the photos and present it to her.
Please read Nicole's story from the Hamilton Spectator
A very sincere thank you to all for any help you can provide. It is much appreciated.
Nicole was almost immediately sedated and a breathing tube was inserted. Diagnosed as Streptococcus A Pneumonia this potentially fatal bacterial infection caused Nicole's system and all of her organs to immediately shut down. Just days later, doctors were preparing the family for the worst. They gave her about a 10 per cent chance of surviving and warned her husband that she would likely lose her arms and legs to amputation - can you imagine the shock that you would have if your whole world turned upside down in just a few days?!
For over 50 days, Nix was in ICU at Credit Valley Hospital. "It was a nightmare," said Jeff. "We have two young children and Nicole is such ·an amazing mother and woman who's so loved by so many people." Incrdeibly, Nicole was able to recover. The hospital staff call her the "miracle woman" because she survived despite the terrible odds.
Seven months later, Nicole is still in the hospital retraining her muscles to walk again. It is incredibly tough and takes every ounce of her strength to walk down the hall with a walker and a nurse in a wheelchair following close behind just in case she needs a rest.
The amazing spirit, courage and determination of Nicole will help her succeed but, it will be a long journey of recovery. When she is well enough to get released from the hospital, Jeff and Nicole will need to make many modifications to their home - perhaps a wheelchair ramp or the widening of an entrance for example. In the interim, Jeff is trying to earn a living to support his family, nuture his wife, run the household and love and care for their two beautiful little girls. It is a lot of stress for anyone.
What are family and friends for if not to help each other out in times of stress and need. If not with money perhaps they would appreciate other help in the form of labour or prepared meals -not sure best to check with them - anything to relieve the incredible burden that this rare and tragic disease has brought upon them. There is also a t-shirt campaign that has been organized with all proceeds going to Nicole. Please purchase a t-shirt and take your photo in it. Nicole's family intend to make a collage of all the photos and present it to her.
Please read Nicole's story from the Hamilton Spectator
A very sincere thank you to all for any help you can provide. It is much appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Paul Bone
Organizer
Toronto, ON
Jeff Knapp
Beneficiary
