Our daughter/sister, Courtney, had surgery with hopes it would mark the beginning of the start of better health and a better quality of life. Courtney underwent surgery on August 6th, 2024, to have all of 8 of her stents removed by a highly ranked and experienced vascular surgeon at Washington University Hospital. These stents have served as her sole blood pathway for her lower body to return blood back to the heart since she was 14 years old. In the past 14 years, these stents have given her the ability to win a state championship in softball (go patriots!), play collegiate softball, get 2 college degrees, go through nursing school, become a nurse and work through COVID, travel the country as a travel nurse, and so much more.

Our family is so thankful for all the life she has been able to experience due to these stents. Unfortunately, they are no longer serving her like they had been, which has resulted in Courtney having to have 7/8 stents removed. She is currently staying in the hospital while doctors monitor her regularly due to the high possibility of internal bleeding. For her 2nd surgery, she will be getting IVC reconstruction in Denver by the world-renowned surgeon, Brooke Spencer. All of these surgeries are very risky and come with a lot of possible complications. They have not been performed very many times due to the fact her condition is extremely rare.

Update from August 11th:

The surgery went semi-well. However, after did not. The worst complication we were afraid of, occurred. Thank the Lord himself that her boyfriend and father were there watching her like a hawk or I’m afraid she would have lost her life. Her boyfriend alerted the nurses when she became unresponsive. They called a rapid response and had to transfer her to ICU. She had something called a retroperitoneal hemorrhage. By the time they caught the issue, she had lost 3.5 liters of blood internally. She had to have something called a massive transfusion protocol where she rapidly received 12 different blood products. She is stable in ICU for now. Thank you for your continued support l, as we need it now more than ever.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Courtney and our family during this time and has been a part of her story along the way. Courtney wouldn’t be where she is today if it wasn’t for all of you!!!!

Update from Courtney (August 24th, 2024)

"Going into week 3 of being here. Was only supposed to be here 5 days. Slowly getting better.

This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through in my life— mentally, emotionally, and physically.

I am so lucky for all the love and support I’ve received from everyone. To all my nursing friends from Erlanger, Methodist, Banner McKee, and all my friends outside of that— you have been my rock and my motivation to keep staying strong. Thank you for every single one of you who has donated to help me get through this. I love you all more than words can describe."