Help Amanda in her fight with COVID-19
Donation protected
Amanda Gehlhausen is a beautiful and amazing mother of 4, Mimi to 3, a fiancé, a sister, a daughter, and friend. She has devoted her life to helping others and has made such a difference for many. Any donations that are made will be used to assist the family with any and all bills that may arise during this tough time. Donations will also be used to help with her bills as needed while she is recovering. Amanda is the Lucas Place Case Manager, having been with ECHO Housing the better part of 10 years. For roughly 7 years of that time she was the Child Advocate. Amanda has positively impacted the lives hundreds of families and even more children with case management and supportive services.
Here is her story:
On Friday, October 2nd, she text me telling me that she had to cancel an appointment due to waking up with a cough. This is also the same day that her first granddaughter made her entrance into the world. Sunday, October 4th, she said she thought she had another sinus infection and was so upset that she would not be able to meet her new granddaughter just yet. She wanted to make sure there was no way she would get anyone sick. Wednesday, October 7th, she woke up and was having a hard time breathing and took a few breathing treatments throughout the day. That evening she decided it was too much and went to Deaconess Midtown ER to be evaluated. Once she arrived they tested her for COVID-19, took a chest X-ray, then eventually sent her home because "they were too busy". She was told to wait for her results, which could take a few days. The next morning, Thursday, October 8th, her COVID test came back positive and the breathing issues continued to worsen. On Friday, October 9th, she decided to go to the ER at St. Vincent's Evansville. Upon arrival, she was immediately admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 and Pneumonia, with her oxygen levels in the low 80s. She continued being treated throughout the weekend without any improvement. Monday, October 12th, the hospital called me and wanted to administer Convalescent Plasma treatment to give her additional antibodies to help fight the infection. We agreed to treatment which was completed on Tuesday, October 13th. A few hours later I received a call that a decision was made to place her on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma.
The last 12 days have a been a roller coaster of ups and downs. At one point the felt she was doing well enough to wake her up. Unfortunately, she was unable to maintain her oxygen and was put back into a coma within an hour. On Monday, October 19th, we learned that she also tested positive for the flu. They said that they believe she had the flu before contracting COVID.
She has been treated with 2 different FDA approved drugs for COVID, antibiotics, steroids', and a number of other things. On Thursday, October 22nd, we received a call that her heart rate had dropped drastically and they had to administer atropine to bring it back up. During this same call we received the devastating news that they didn't think she was going to make it and there was nothing more they could do for her. They were able to get approval for 8 of us to come visit through the window for 15 minutes. Two by two family members made their way to the ICU to give her words of encouragement. As we were not going to accept this as a goodbye.
On Friday, October 23rd, they called and told us she had improved and was doing "much better". They were able to ween her ventilator down to 60% and thought they may be able to continue weening her through the night.
Saturday, October 24th at 2:39pm, I received an update that her ventilator was turned back up to 100%, but she was stable. We were planning a facetime with her girls for that afternoon. At 2:55pm, 16 minutes later, I received a call that she had "coded" and her nurse was currently doing CPR. Thankfully, they were able to restart her heart and get her stabilized. At this point in time we have no idea what will happen next, but we are confident that she is the strongest person we know. We continue to have faith that she is fighting and will pull through this.
She has a long road ahead of her and truly appreciate any and all donations. Any amount big or small can make a difference. If you are not in a position to donate please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we continue through this journey with her. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us to check on her and the rest our family.
Here is her story:
On Friday, October 2nd, she text me telling me that she had to cancel an appointment due to waking up with a cough. This is also the same day that her first granddaughter made her entrance into the world. Sunday, October 4th, she said she thought she had another sinus infection and was so upset that she would not be able to meet her new granddaughter just yet. She wanted to make sure there was no way she would get anyone sick. Wednesday, October 7th, she woke up and was having a hard time breathing and took a few breathing treatments throughout the day. That evening she decided it was too much and went to Deaconess Midtown ER to be evaluated. Once she arrived they tested her for COVID-19, took a chest X-ray, then eventually sent her home because "they were too busy". She was told to wait for her results, which could take a few days. The next morning, Thursday, October 8th, her COVID test came back positive and the breathing issues continued to worsen. On Friday, October 9th, she decided to go to the ER at St. Vincent's Evansville. Upon arrival, she was immediately admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 and Pneumonia, with her oxygen levels in the low 80s. She continued being treated throughout the weekend without any improvement. Monday, October 12th, the hospital called me and wanted to administer Convalescent Plasma treatment to give her additional antibodies to help fight the infection. We agreed to treatment which was completed on Tuesday, October 13th. A few hours later I received a call that a decision was made to place her on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma.
The last 12 days have a been a roller coaster of ups and downs. At one point the felt she was doing well enough to wake her up. Unfortunately, she was unable to maintain her oxygen and was put back into a coma within an hour. On Monday, October 19th, we learned that she also tested positive for the flu. They said that they believe she had the flu before contracting COVID.
She has been treated with 2 different FDA approved drugs for COVID, antibiotics, steroids', and a number of other things. On Thursday, October 22nd, we received a call that her heart rate had dropped drastically and they had to administer atropine to bring it back up. During this same call we received the devastating news that they didn't think she was going to make it and there was nothing more they could do for her. They were able to get approval for 8 of us to come visit through the window for 15 minutes. Two by two family members made their way to the ICU to give her words of encouragement. As we were not going to accept this as a goodbye.
On Friday, October 23rd, they called and told us she had improved and was doing "much better". They were able to ween her ventilator down to 60% and thought they may be able to continue weening her through the night.
Saturday, October 24th at 2:39pm, I received an update that her ventilator was turned back up to 100%, but she was stable. We were planning a facetime with her girls for that afternoon. At 2:55pm, 16 minutes later, I received a call that she had "coded" and her nurse was currently doing CPR. Thankfully, they were able to restart her heart and get her stabilized. At this point in time we have no idea what will happen next, but we are confident that she is the strongest person we know. We continue to have faith that she is fighting and will pull through this.
She has a long road ahead of her and truly appreciate any and all donations. Any amount big or small can make a difference. If you are not in a position to donate please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we continue through this journey with her. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us to check on her and the rest our family.
Give $50 to help get this fundraiser to its goal
Organizer
Mary B Cundiff
Organizer
Evansville, IN
