Michelle Tanner has worked in the Urologic Surgery Department for 25 years and has served as a surgery scheduler for Dr. Sima Porten for the past 10 years.

Recently, her sister, Kiva Love Brazington Verduzco—affectionately known as "Kiva Diva"—was on vacation in Las Vegas when she suddenly experienced severe abdominal pain. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent emergency surgery.

Just two days after the procedure, she was discharged and returned home to Oakland, California. However, her condition quickly worsened, and she had to be rushed to Highland Hospital in Oakland. A CT scan revealed that she required immediate surgery. Tragically, due to what appears to be negligence at the hospital in Las Vegas, Kiva was found to have two punctures in her intestines. These injuries had caused internal leakage that went undetected for four days following her initial surgery.

The resulting infection and damage were extensive. Kiva’s kidneys began to fail, and she had to be placed on a ventilator due to fluid buildup in her lungs, which led to respiratory failure. So far, she has undergone three major surgeries. At just 90 pounds and living with diabetes, her body is struggling to heal. She now has both a feeding tube and a nasogastric (NG) tube, and one of her lungs has collapsed as a result of the complications.

What was supposed to be a routine appendectomy has turned into a life-threatening situation. Kiva has worked at Spectrum School for children with special needs for the past 15 years. She is also the sole caregiver for her disabled adult son, who depends on her for all daily needs. In addition, she drove for Uber to help make ends meet—so you may have seen her around town.

Now, with her health in critical condition and her ability to work gone, Kiva has no source of income. The financial strain is overwhelming, and her journey to recovery will be long and challenging.

Any donations or simply sharing this post would be immensely helpful for my sister and her family.

Thank you so much.