Alexis Road to Recovery
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Hello Family and Friends,
On July 15th, Alexis was admitted to the hospital with extreme weakness and dizziness. She was sick for about a month and a half. Extreme vertigo, vomiting, lack of appetite, etc.
It finally got to the point of never leaving her bed for two weeks, they knew it was serious. When they arrived at the hospital they found out that her Hemoglobin (Blood) level was at a 3.3. Most average females her age are around 15 -17, this hospital said they do transfusions at 7 and she was at the lowest level they have ever seen a living person.
So they started blood tests and a CT scan. They were able to find out at the time that her body was attacking her red blood cells and they needed to know why.
So with that, they needed to get blood in her immediately and that was the main focus till something bigger came along.
So the Hematologist who was on her case said they did a Coombs test and she was positive.
What this means is that her red blood cells were entering her spleen and being attacked. It's an auto-immune response brought on by a viral infection. The treatment is steroids, heavy for 3 to 4 weeks, then tapered off. If it comes back they will likely have to remove her spleen.
The condition is called Hemolytic Anemia So they thought they were out and clear but then OBGYN came in and said they saw something on the CT and the ultrasound when they were looking at the spleen and ordered an MRI to see her pelvis.
After the MRI, they came in to tell us they found Cystic Masses in/around both ovaries and 5 Fibroids around the uterus.
One ovary appears to have a normal structure and seems to have an intact uterine canal. The mass appears to be a dermoid tumor, it's unclear.
The second ovary is a massive cyst, 4 inches across. Both need to be removed.
Luckily, the biopsy came back negative for cancer and one mass has disappeared in recovery so far (3 weeks after the hospital visit ) but the big one is still there and need to be removed immediately.
The new and updated plan is to - remove the one cystic mass ovary (the 4 inch one) and all the fibroids.
With surgery, Alexis should be in the hospital for 3 days, with 6 weeks of the total recovery maybe more.
Since she is still in recovery from the blood transfusions, we do not have a date on the surgery just yet. Her body needs to be healthy enough or she will end up bleeding out during the procedure.
We, first of all, want to thank everyone who reached out and sent their kind words, prayers, and love to Alexis and what a big decision and change this in her young adult life. It really means the world.
We Also want to thank UPMC Pinnacle for helping us along the way with all our of medical services and financial struggles.
Sadly this was a huge blow to our lives because of how sudden it was. Alexis was also fired from her job during this whole process due to the fact that the company couldn't and didn't want to keep up with all the medical leave that comes with this surgery. They are willing to rehire her when she is fully back to health but for now, she will be out of a job.
The costs cover the surgery, hospital stay, medicine from both visits, follow up doctor appointments, and help catch up with other bills.
So please if you could share or donate or support what you can we would really appreciate it and get Alexis back on her feet moving and ready to take on the world once again.
Sincerely, The Plumley's
On July 15th, Alexis was admitted to the hospital with extreme weakness and dizziness. She was sick for about a month and a half. Extreme vertigo, vomiting, lack of appetite, etc.
It finally got to the point of never leaving her bed for two weeks, they knew it was serious. When they arrived at the hospital they found out that her Hemoglobin (Blood) level was at a 3.3. Most average females her age are around 15 -17, this hospital said they do transfusions at 7 and she was at the lowest level they have ever seen a living person.
So they started blood tests and a CT scan. They were able to find out at the time that her body was attacking her red blood cells and they needed to know why.
So with that, they needed to get blood in her immediately and that was the main focus till something bigger came along.
So the Hematologist who was on her case said they did a Coombs test and she was positive.
What this means is that her red blood cells were entering her spleen and being attacked. It's an auto-immune response brought on by a viral infection. The treatment is steroids, heavy for 3 to 4 weeks, then tapered off. If it comes back they will likely have to remove her spleen.
The condition is called Hemolytic Anemia So they thought they were out and clear but then OBGYN came in and said they saw something on the CT and the ultrasound when they were looking at the spleen and ordered an MRI to see her pelvis.
After the MRI, they came in to tell us they found Cystic Masses in/around both ovaries and 5 Fibroids around the uterus.
One ovary appears to have a normal structure and seems to have an intact uterine canal. The mass appears to be a dermoid tumor, it's unclear.
The second ovary is a massive cyst, 4 inches across. Both need to be removed.
Luckily, the biopsy came back negative for cancer and one mass has disappeared in recovery so far (3 weeks after the hospital visit ) but the big one is still there and need to be removed immediately.
The new and updated plan is to - remove the one cystic mass ovary (the 4 inch one) and all the fibroids.
With surgery, Alexis should be in the hospital for 3 days, with 6 weeks of the total recovery maybe more.
Since she is still in recovery from the blood transfusions, we do not have a date on the surgery just yet. Her body needs to be healthy enough or she will end up bleeding out during the procedure.
We, first of all, want to thank everyone who reached out and sent their kind words, prayers, and love to Alexis and what a big decision and change this in her young adult life. It really means the world.
We Also want to thank UPMC Pinnacle for helping us along the way with all our of medical services and financial struggles.
Sadly this was a huge blow to our lives because of how sudden it was. Alexis was also fired from her job during this whole process due to the fact that the company couldn't and didn't want to keep up with all the medical leave that comes with this surgery. They are willing to rehire her when she is fully back to health but for now, she will be out of a job.
The costs cover the surgery, hospital stay, medicine from both visits, follow up doctor appointments, and help catch up with other bills.
So please if you could share or donate or support what you can we would really appreciate it and get Alexis back on her feet moving and ready to take on the world once again.
Sincerely, The Plumley's
Organizer
Alexis Torres Plumley
Organizer
Harrisburg, PA
