Help Kelly Caudle's Healing & Recovery

Dear Friends, I’m Lauren Cesar, a close friend of Kelly Caudle's since middle school— as well as a friend of the family, with whom I’ve collaborated to create this Gofundme.

At just 38, Kelly is a single mother who has seen the face of Jesus, returned from the unthinkable, continues to make great strides, yet still faces profound challenges.

In the early days of the Church, there was no such thing as fundraising. There was no need.

“All believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. From time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” – Acts 4:32-35

This is greater than a call for financial assistance; it’s an invitation to be part of the work that God is doing in Kelly’s life. We hope that you’ll stand beside Kelly and her family as we rally around them.

To tell Kelly’s miraculous story, packed with one “BUT GOD” moment after another, I’ll pass the proverbial pen over to her Mom, Melissa.

The Situation

On a fateful day, November 12, 2023, a single moment shattered the world as Kelly and her family knew it. Kelly, a beacon of strength and love in our lives, was suddenly gripped by a life-threatening seizure, swiftly followed by a heart-stopping cardiac arrest. For six harrowing minutes, the world stood still - no pulse, no breath. Her fiancé, in a desperate battle against time, began CPR, fighting to bring her back from the brink. She lay there, lifeless, her color fading to a haunting blue, her heart silent.

Amidst the chaos, medical saviors stepped in, reviving her on the spot and employing a ventilator, a technique known as 'bagging,' to breathe life into her still body. She was rushed to ICU, her life hanging by a thread on life support.

The night was far from over; at 3:27 a.m., Kelly's heart again succumbed to another cardiac arrest. This time, her mother, Melissa Caudle, bore witness to the medical team's relentless efforts to revive her daughter.

Each time the chilling question, "Does she have a pulse?" was met with a devastating "No pulse," Melissa's world crumbled a little more. Time seemed to stand still, each minute stretching into an eternity of fear and prayer.

By some miracle, the medical team managed to restart Kelly’s heart, but her battle was far from over. Her body was on the brink, with failing organs, a collapsed lung, a cracked rib, and a fever climbing dangerously high.

As dawn approached, her parents were summoned for the most heart-wrenching conversation. The doctor painted a grim picture - total organ failure, the need for dialysis, life support barely keeping her tethered to this world, and she would most likely pass within hours. The family was called to gather, preparing for the worst. A global prayer chain ignited, holding onto hope against hope. Her children, her siblings, one rushing from California, converged in a solemn vigil, offering prayers and tearful goodbyes.

In those moments, the fragility of life and the unyielding strength of love were profoundly felt, as Kelly fought a battle that seemed insurmountable, if not impossible, surrounded by the prayers and heartache of all who cherished her.

Turning Point

In the shadow of despair, where hope seemed like a distant memory, something extraordinary happened. Kelly, whose life hung by a thread, began to defy every odd stacked against her. Each day, we witnessed a testament to the human spirit's resilience as prayers were answered. She transitioned from a state of grave danger to one of critical stability.

Seventy-two hours into this journey of uncertainty, the medical team faced a pivotal moment – testing Kelly for complete brain function. The moment she was removed from the mechanical breaths that had sustained her, she drew her first unaided breath in what felt like an eternity. However, the path ahead remained shrouded in uncertainty.

In a heart-wrenching turn, Kelly's fight intensified. She stopped breathing again, necessitating her return to life support.

In the days that followed, she endured two more cardiac arrests, each a terrifying dance with mortality, yet each time, her pulse returned, as if guided by the prayers enveloping her.

Then, in what can only be described as a series of small miracles, Kelly began to show remarkable signs of recovery. One by one, the machines that had been her lifeline were removed – the breathing apparatus, the dialysis machine, and finally, the medications that kept her in a deep sleep. With each passing day, she started to exhibit purposeful movements – a testament to her fighting spirit.

The true measure of her progress came in the form of simple, yet profound responses. She began to track movements, respond to pain, hold up a peace sign, and most heartbreakingly, smile at the sight of her family's pictures and videos. Initially, recognition for her mother, father, and sisters eluded her – a painful reminder of the journey still ahead. But, in an instant filled with pure, tearful joy, she recognized her children, ages 8 and 13, from pictures and videos of their summer swim meets.

Kelly's journey, marked by struggle and resilience, became a testament to the miracles that faith, hope, and relentless love can bring.

Current Situation

On November 22nd, 2023, Kelly embarked on a new chapter in her arduous journey toward recovery. She was transferred to a skilled nursing rehabilitation facility, where she would face a challenging yet hopeful path of occupational, speech, and physical therapy, coupled with counseling in a multi-disciplinary approach. The aftermath of her cardiac arrests had left indelible marks – struggles with short-term memory, an inability to walk without support, and challenges in speech. Her road to recovery, as outlined by her doctor, seems a long one, estimated to take at least a year to regain the semblance of her former independence.

Profound Needs

But now, the harsh realities of life intersect with our unwavering hope. While we’re working with her mortgage company to pause her $1683/month payments, any mercy from them will not come close to the 12+ months doctors estimate she’ll be unable to work. Kelly faces not just the physical hurdles of rehabilitation but also the monumental task of adapting her home to her new needs. Wheelchair accessibility, a walk-in shower, kitchen modifications – these are just the tip of the iceberg. Compounding these challenges, her home bears the scars of Hurricane Ida, with a damaged roof, gutters in disrepair, and sheetrock damage, all left unattended as her insurance company collapsed into bankruptcy.

We’ve initiated this GoFundMe as a lifeline to aid Kelly in adapting to this drastically altered life. Your support will directly contribute to covering the daunting costs of her rehabilitation and the essential modifications to her home, creating an environment where she can thrive as an amazing mother to her two children and a beloved member of our community.

Every share of her story, every financial contribution, can be the pillars upon which Kelly rebuilds her life, a testament to the power of community and the strength of the human spirit.

All funds raised will be meticulously managed in an interest-bearing account by her mother, Melissa Caudle, ensuring that every contribution directly supports Kelly's journey back to life—a life brimming with hope and newfound independence.