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Deanna's Medical Fund

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After returning from a camping trip in Warsaw, Missouri, over Memorial Day Weekend, Deanna Helm discovered two ticks on her abdomen and removed them. Not another thought was given. Five days later, she was discovered at her home unconscious. Deanna was rushed by ambulance to the hospital and diagnosed with acute respiratory failure. She was placed on a ventilator immediately. In addition, Deanna's kidneys began to fail and she began receiving dialysis treatments. 

On June 8, 2017, Deanna tested positive for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a potentially fatal infection if left untreated. The illness is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks. Without prompt attention, RMSF can cause serious damage to internal organs, such as your kidneys and heart. Deanna was admitted to the hospital just in time, as the infection was overtaking her body. If left untreated, death can occur within five days.

UPDATE AS OF 7/18/17:  Deanna has been moved to a rehab facility where she will continue to work on motor skills and speech.  It is expected she will be at this new facility from 2 - 4 weeks, depending on her progress.

UPDATE AS OF 7/11/17:  Deanna continues to show daily improvement, getting stronger each day.  She has been taken off of dialysis permanenty now as her kidneys are functioning at a normal rate.  She still remains hospitalized, but she will now begin the long road of physical therapy for her motor skills and speech.  Please keep Deanna in your thoughts and prayers.  All donations received will help offset the medical bills she will incur as her insurance is still denying any coverage for this incident.  

UPDATE AS OF 6/28/17:
  Just when it was looking brighter for Deanna, she suffered a severe seizure on June 23rd and was back on life support.  On June 28th Deanna was moved out of ICU!! Doctors are continuing to monitor her brain activity for any additional seizure activity.  It was determined that hypertension, combined with her kidney struggles were the cause of the seizure.  She is being treated for both conditions at this time and making slow, but steady upward progress each day.  This event did cause some brain injury.  This has now added to her daily struggle.  In speaking with the attending physicians, they all feel Deanna's survival just from the RMSF was a miracle as stated most patients do not survive this.  As her internal organs have been very damaged from the initial bacterial infection from the tick bite, she continues to suffer other issues related to the damage done by the bite.  She is now also dealing with her second round of pneumonia.  However, she continues to make progress daily and we pray that progress will continue to a full recovery.

Since 2008, Deanna has been a valued Team Member at the Merry Maids of Independence, Missouri. Clearly, she is unable to work at this time and through her recovery will be overwhelmed with medical and living expenses. Deanna had accident insurance at the time of her illness, however, we were disappointed to learn that tick bites are excluded from coverage. We want to lift that financial burden off her and her daughters so they can focus on her health and full recovery!

No donation is too small. Every dollar counts and will be greatly appreciated! You can donate directly to the Go Fund Me page or you may mail checks payable to Deanna Helm to:

Merry Maids
12418 E US 40 Hwy
Independence, MO 64055

If you are unable to donate, please share this page. That will help spread the word. Thank you for your help and reading Deanna's story!
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Donations 

  • Warren West
    • $50 (Offline)
    • 7 yrs
  • Dean McKim
    • $200 (Offline)
    • 7 yrs
  • Jerry & Margaret England
    • $30 (Offline)
    • 7 yrs
  • Boxcar Local Three The Society Of Forty Men and Eight Horses (John Neger)
    • $500 (Offline)
    • 7 yrs
  • Kate Cita
    • $250 (Offline)
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Susan Bebout
Organizer
Independence, MO
Deanna Helm
Beneficiary

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