Charli Blue's Road to Recovery (Charli Martinez)

FROM CHARLI'S MOM, LAURA:

#CharliBlueBraveAndStrong

Hi everyone. We need prayers and some good, strong, healing vibes for our 8-year-old daughter, Charli Blue Martinez. I don’t like asking for help and don’t usually share personal business in public, but sometimes we are tested beyond what we could have imagined and we are currently in that situation.

Charli has been sick for over a month -- first, an ear infection, then COVID, then a ”rash” of purple dots on her feet and legs that was initially diagnosed as HSP (Henoch-Schönlein Purpura), an autoimmune vasculitis disorder. But within a few days she couldn’t walk, her ankles and feet started to swell, she wouldn’t eat, and she couldn’t be touched without screaming in pain. After numerous visits to the doctor, urgent care, and the ER with no improvement, Charli was admitted to the pediatric unit at Ogden Regional Medical Center on Christmas Eve. That’s where we spent the next nine days, but instead of getting better she steadily continued to decline – high fevers, the “rash” turning into big blisters, zero mobility, and many other worsening symptoms.

Due to her deteriorating condition, Charli was transferred via ambulance to Primary Children’s Hospital in SLC on January 1st. After evaluation by her medical team at PCH, she was admitted to their pediatric ICU (PICU) and she's still there. After a battery of tests we are still without a firm diagnosis, and what is currently described as an “unknown autoimmune disorder” is affecting multiple body systems. She has bleeding in her lungs, is currently intubated, and is being kept comfortable and stable under heavy sedation as efforts to pinpoint the cause continue. We don’t know when Charli will leave the hospital or what her long-term prognosis will be, but she is SO strong and brave and is getting excellent care at PCH.

As you can imagine, a lot of unforeseen costs are already starting to add up – time off work, gas and travel, meals, numerous things – so many unknowns, and this is just the beginning. We sincerely appreciate anything you can do to help us get through these current challenges and to prepare for her road to recovery. We love and appreciate all of you and ask that you continue to keep Charli and our family in your thoughts and prayers.