LOVE FOR LINDSAY!!

Early Wednesday morning on Feb 1st, 2023, Lindsay woke up with numbness to one side of her body. Concerned that she was showing stroke symptoms, she was taken to the emergency room by her Fiance, Frankie. There she began to exhibit an altered mental state and due to extreme combativeness, she was placed on a ventilator to help calm her and admitted to the ICU. Her vitals and labs were overall normal, besides an elevated white blood count, indicating infection. She was transferred from a smaller branch of MercyOne Hospital to the main hospital in downtown Des Moines, IA. There she was placed in the Neuro/Trauma ICU. A CT- guided lumbar puncture was completed and an MRI of her brain was taken.

On Thursday, February 2nd, attempts were made to take Lindsay off of the ventilator, which she, unfortunately, did not tolerate. It was determined that removing the vent was unsafe, and sedation continued. Neurological tests were completed on her every 4 hours, where sedation was stopped and she was allowed to wake up. Unfortunately, she did not respond as expected.

Early morning on Friday, February 3rd, the same neuro testing continued and she successfully opened her eyes, was able to follow commands appropriately, and signaled to communicate by writing. Later on Friday mid-morning, she was taken off of the vent. She continued to make drastic improvements. She was diagnosed with Viral Meningitis.

Today, Saturday, February 4th, she was transferred out of the ICU, cleared by PT/OT, and the discussion of discharge is taking place.

This is the 3rd major medical incident, requiring hospitalization in the ICU that Lindsay has experienced in the last 2.5 years. She is newly employed as an RN at the VA in Des Moines and hasn't been vetted for all of her benefits yet. When discharged, Lindsay will be sent home on antiviral IV antibiotics for 2 weeks and it is unknown when she will be able to return to work. The medical expenses that she will incur after her time in the hospital will be overwhelming.

Donations of any kind are greatly appreciated and will help ease this burden! Lindsay is incredibly humble and asking for help is not in her nature, but she is the most deserving, kind-hearted, and empathetic person. We love her to pieces and are unbelievably grateful that she is with us today and currently making a full recovery.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to hear her story and keeping her in your thoughts!

Love,

Megan (Sister), Peggy (Mom)