Aid Elizabeth: Facing Health & Home Crisis

On July 15, 2025, Elizabeth Turner experienced stomach pain at home, initially attributing it to something she had eaten. However, late that night, after going to bed, she awoke with vomiting, diarrhea, and worsening stomach pain.

The next day, Wednesday, July 16, Elizabeth's husband noticed she was unwell as she prepared for work and insisted she return to bed. Throughout the day, her pain persisted. Her husband contacted their daughter, and they decided it would be best to take her to the hospital that night. At Saint Elizabeth's in Beaumont, Texas, a CT scan revealed a softball-sized pocket of pus from diverticulitis.

Elizabeth was admitted to the hospital on Thursday, July 17, where medical staff kept her comfortable while doctors discussed the proper course of action. By Friday, she appeared a little more energetic. Doctors considered discharging her with antibiotics if her blood work looked good. A subsequent CT scan with contrast, administered rectally, showed no pooling fluid in the crater where the pus pocket had been, which was interpreted as a positive sign, though a trace of liquid remained.

Upon returning on Saturday, Elizabeth's improved spirits from Friday had vanished. She was extremely tired, and her stomach was swelling. Her daughter had stayed with her and remained awake throughout the night. Elizabeth slept most of the day, speaking only a little. Her daughter continued to notice her mother's stomach swelling, even after her father had gone home.

Late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, Elizabeth's daughter communicated with her father, who was at home due to his complete disability and inability to stay at the hospital. She expressed her growing concern, stating that her mother's stomach was swelling "like she’s six months pregnant." Around 10:11 PM on Saturday, Elizabeth began complaining of severe pain and pleaded for it to stop. Her daughter finally convinced the nurses to take the situation seriously, and a CT scan was ordered.

Elizabeth was taken for the CT scan around 1:00 AM. It was not until the next morning that Elizabeth, her husband, or her daughter learned her colon had ruptured late Saturday night when she was experiencing such severe pain. The surgeon stated that at 1:45 AM, Elizabeth should have been taken directly to the operating room, but a breakdown in communication resulted in her being sent back to her room for six hours with a ruptured colon. By the grace of God, when the surgeon arrived, Elizabeth was still alive, though withering in pain. She was rushed into surgery, which lasted a couple of hours. The surgeon emerged to report that a large portion of Elizabeth's colon had been removed, and it was the worst rupture she had ever seen. Elizabeth's ovaries and uterus were completely covered and adhered due to the rupture. The surgeon confirmed Elizabeth came through the surgery well and that her colon had been reconnected, but she would require an ileostomy bag and would remain on a ventilator in the ICU for a minimum of 24 hours.

On Monday, July 21, Elizabeth's family was at the hospital when she was finally able to be taken off the ventilator, as she could breathe on her own. However, she remained septic and is still in the ICU as of today, Tuesday the 22nd , She is expected to remain hospitalized for at least a week, with an estimated recovery time of 8 to 10 weeks, unless her condition changes.

Elizabeth had recently begun a new role as a sales representative with La-Z-Boy furniture, having just completed her 90-day training period and being set to start working on full commission. Elizabeth is the sole provider for her household, which includes her husband and their grandson. Her husband is 100% disabled and unable to work, leaving no current income for the household. Adding to their challenges, at the beginning of the month, their landlord informed them that the house they are in would be sold, requiring them to vacate by the end of August. This unexpected medical emergency has now compounded the stress of packing and finding a new home. The family is seeking assistance from anyone who can help with their hospital and home bills. Every contribution, even just a dollar, would be meaningful.