Alyssa's fight with aHUS
Donation protected
As many of you know, Alyssa and Joe were blessed to welcome little Luci into the world on January 18th. Her birth marks the 8th beautiful addition to their family—and they are as proud and grateful as they were with their first.
In the wake of this joyful event, however, a difficult adversity has struck their family. Alyssa has been hospitalized and diagnosed with an extremely rare and life-threatening disease known as Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome—or 'aHUS' for short.
What happened
On January 29th, a week and a half after the birth, Alyssa was admitted to the ER with abnormally heavy postpartum bleeding. In the course of treatment for the hemorrhage complications quickly escalated in what should have been a fairly routine recovery. Her body was not coagulating properly and her kidneys began to fail. After a few unsuccessful attempts to stabilize the situation Alyssa was flown to the ICU at the University of Utah hospital for further diagnosis.
Upon completion of more extensive tests it has been determined that Alyssa has suffered a rapid onset of a rare blood disease that causes bleeding, anemia, and kidney failure. There is a treatment that includes a medication called Eculizumab (Solaris). The cost of this particular drug varies geographically but with an average of $500K per patient per year, it is estimated by some to be the most expensive medication in the world. Due to the enormity of this expense the doctors are awaiting insurance approval to know whether the drug can be administered.
The family
As always, Alyssa is a trooper. Due to the pain she has been in and the heavy blood loss she has sustained she is very weak and tired. The treatments that have been attempted so far have been uncomfortable to say the least, and she has not managed to keep much food down. Despite all of this she can still muster a smile and a bit of optimism as she pushes on, and in true Alyssa-fashion even managed to be on the phone during a checkup for little Luci.
Joe has been faithfully by Alyssa's side every moment. We have literally only been able to get him to step away from her room for minutes at a time. True to his personality he is always smiling with a quip or a joke on the tip of his tongue every time things start to get hard. He has been a source of untold strength for Alyssa.
Luci and the Sale gang are in Idaho Falls under the care of their Aunts and Grandparents: Corinne, Tracie, Nana and Papa (Alayne and Terry). Alyssa is anxiously awaiting being able to be with Luci again and is proudly showing off pictures to anyone who wants to see.
Family friend Drew has generously stepped up to try and fill in for Joe with work until he can return.
How you can help
If you have not guessed already, Alyssa and Joe do not know that this gofundme account has been created in their name. Anyone who knows them, even casually, could most likely attest to how quick they are to lend a hand, yet slow to ask for help. We as a family are doing all we can to love and support them and as such have created this campaign on their behalf.
The money for this campaign is not meant to cover the expense of the Solaris medication. We are hopeful that cost will be absorbed elsewhere, but with Joe being temporarily unable to work and future medical expenses associated with Alyssa's recovery, we know that this development will be a strain on the family in every way including financial.
Alyssa's immediate family has privately begun chipping in funds and has raised a good start, but we are turning now to friends and anyone who would like to give to the Sales to help them out. I, personally, am not accustomed to asking for money, but I cannot think of a more deserving family for whom to reach out for help. The love, kindness, and friendship they have brought to our lives is worth more to us than money can buy.
That said, we also do not believe in guilting anyone into anything. We thank in advance anyone who feels they have the capacity to give as equally as all of you who have sent well-wishes and offered much-needed prayers.
Faith
Finally, and most importantly, we express our love to the Sales, their children, and all who know Alyssa and Joe. We are, of course, saddened and in shock by what has occurred—especially considering how abruptly it has come about. However, in this difficult time we affirm our convicted belief that our Father in Heaven loves and watches over each of His children. We are holding on to hope that the Savior's healing power will help see Alyssa through this illness. Ultimately, we believe that whatever the outcome of this trying time the Lord will stand ready with outstretched hands to bring hope, growth, and a return to joy beyond the horizon of this storm, no matter how long the voyage.
For all who would like to stay informed on Alyssa's condition, we will be periodically posting updates to this gofundme campaign.
Love,
Alyssa's Family
In the wake of this joyful event, however, a difficult adversity has struck their family. Alyssa has been hospitalized and diagnosed with an extremely rare and life-threatening disease known as Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome—or 'aHUS' for short.
What happened
On January 29th, a week and a half after the birth, Alyssa was admitted to the ER with abnormally heavy postpartum bleeding. In the course of treatment for the hemorrhage complications quickly escalated in what should have been a fairly routine recovery. Her body was not coagulating properly and her kidneys began to fail. After a few unsuccessful attempts to stabilize the situation Alyssa was flown to the ICU at the University of Utah hospital for further diagnosis.
Upon completion of more extensive tests it has been determined that Alyssa has suffered a rapid onset of a rare blood disease that causes bleeding, anemia, and kidney failure. There is a treatment that includes a medication called Eculizumab (Solaris). The cost of this particular drug varies geographically but with an average of $500K per patient per year, it is estimated by some to be the most expensive medication in the world. Due to the enormity of this expense the doctors are awaiting insurance approval to know whether the drug can be administered.
The family
As always, Alyssa is a trooper. Due to the pain she has been in and the heavy blood loss she has sustained she is very weak and tired. The treatments that have been attempted so far have been uncomfortable to say the least, and she has not managed to keep much food down. Despite all of this she can still muster a smile and a bit of optimism as she pushes on, and in true Alyssa-fashion even managed to be on the phone during a checkup for little Luci.
Joe has been faithfully by Alyssa's side every moment. We have literally only been able to get him to step away from her room for minutes at a time. True to his personality he is always smiling with a quip or a joke on the tip of his tongue every time things start to get hard. He has been a source of untold strength for Alyssa.
Luci and the Sale gang are in Idaho Falls under the care of their Aunts and Grandparents: Corinne, Tracie, Nana and Papa (Alayne and Terry). Alyssa is anxiously awaiting being able to be with Luci again and is proudly showing off pictures to anyone who wants to see.
Family friend Drew has generously stepped up to try and fill in for Joe with work until he can return.
How you can help
If you have not guessed already, Alyssa and Joe do not know that this gofundme account has been created in their name. Anyone who knows them, even casually, could most likely attest to how quick they are to lend a hand, yet slow to ask for help. We as a family are doing all we can to love and support them and as such have created this campaign on their behalf.
The money for this campaign is not meant to cover the expense of the Solaris medication. We are hopeful that cost will be absorbed elsewhere, but with Joe being temporarily unable to work and future medical expenses associated with Alyssa's recovery, we know that this development will be a strain on the family in every way including financial.
Alyssa's immediate family has privately begun chipping in funds and has raised a good start, but we are turning now to friends and anyone who would like to give to the Sales to help them out. I, personally, am not accustomed to asking for money, but I cannot think of a more deserving family for whom to reach out for help. The love, kindness, and friendship they have brought to our lives is worth more to us than money can buy.
That said, we also do not believe in guilting anyone into anything. We thank in advance anyone who feels they have the capacity to give as equally as all of you who have sent well-wishes and offered much-needed prayers.
Faith
Finally, and most importantly, we express our love to the Sales, their children, and all who know Alyssa and Joe. We are, of course, saddened and in shock by what has occurred—especially considering how abruptly it has come about. However, in this difficult time we affirm our convicted belief that our Father in Heaven loves and watches over each of His children. We are holding on to hope that the Savior's healing power will help see Alyssa through this illness. Ultimately, we believe that whatever the outcome of this trying time the Lord will stand ready with outstretched hands to bring hope, growth, and a return to joy beyond the horizon of this storm, no matter how long the voyage.
For all who would like to stay informed on Alyssa's condition, we will be periodically posting updates to this gofundme campaign.
Love,
Alyssa's Family
Organizer and beneficiary
Cory Crouch
Organizer
Idaho Falls, ID
Joseph Sale
Beneficiary