Help Kajal Receive Medical Treatment
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“Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them.” -Anna Taylor
To everyone that has encountered Kajal, she has been the person who has left a tremendous impact on them and has selflessly cared for those surrounding her despite circumstances of her own. My sister is easily the strongest, bravest, and most resilient person to come by. She’s always been a true friend and a true fighter. It’s easy to love Kajal, no matter what she leaves people better than how she found them. She has been the definition of a warrior. When you look at her, you wouldn’t be able to guess half of what she has gone through and what she will have to go through in the upcoming year. From birth, Kajal has had to fight courageously to live. Despite having many health difficulties from a young age, the most recent years have been the most trying.
Recently, Kajal has been facing unimaginable health issues. The week of her 21st birthday, marked the beginning of a trying era. She learned that she had stage four thyroid cancer. Doctors said this would require a 3 hour surgery to remove the tumor as well as her thyroid gland. During surgery, the doctors quickly realized that the cancer had spread a lot more than anticipated. This surgery ended up being 11 hours where the surgeons fully removed the tumor, thyroid gland, and 76 lymph nodes. Following recovery, Kajal then underwent iodine radiation treatment where she was completely isolated. Since then, she has relentlessly fought illness after illness. From this surgery she developed sleep apnea. She dealt with the sleep apnea, battling cancer, and countless other illnesses, all while taking 26 credit hours to complete her bachelor's degree. After graduating, she developed a hernia which required surgery to resolve. In 2020, she almost died from jaundice as well as being diagnosed with gallstones, this required another surgery to remove her gallbladder and the stones. Later in 2020, Kajal was diagnosed with an ulcer requiring treatment by TPN and other procedures for months. The TPN treatment was done by a procedure which required a central line that ran from her forearm to her heart. Kajal had to get all this done multiple times and without any anesthetics. This PIC line ran close to her heart and began to cause cardiac issues resulting in this excruciating procedure having to be redone several times, but was necessary for her to survive. After many failed interventions, she had to have surgery to close the ulcer in 2021.
As if Kajal had not been through enough, 2022 brought a fresh set of challenges as a result of medical negligence from surgeons who operated to close the ulcer. Kajal was diagnosed with a rare infection called mycobacterium abscessus complex non tuberculosis, coming from a piece of mesh left inside her body during surgery. This is a severely deadly infection which doctors have been trying to treat for over a year with surgeries, oral medications, as well as IV antibiotics. In Texas, Kajal underwent emergency surgery for the infection leaving open wounds that she has to clean and change daily by herself. The doctors tried to treat the infection with oral antibiotics as well as IV antibiotics, but the medicine was unfortunately ineffective. She was then referred to ID specialists in New Mexico where she received surgery and treatments for 6 months. To receive these treatments, Kajal again had to undergo the painful procedure of having a large line sutured into her artery for several months. After getting the PIC line, she had to self administer IV antibiotics 6 times a day every single day. Only 3 IV antibiotics have been shown to be effective against this strain of infection, 2 of which have made her sick to the point of hospitalization for pancreatitis. Not only did this mesh cause the infection, but multiple health issues as well. In 2023, this infection also caused an internal bleed to where my sister threw up bags full of blood. Kajal had a hole in her stomach that ended up requiring blood transfusions and an 8 hour surgery. During this surgery, she developed a DVT leaving her left arm paralyzed by the surgeons. After all of this, the ID doctors in New Mexico said they did everything they could for her and that she needed to be seen by a specialist at the MAYO hospital. Kajal has fought through and survived countless surgeries and she will have to continue to fight through numerous surgeries due to this infection, as well as multiple self administered treatments per day. These drugs are not guaranteed, the sooner she can begin treatment again and get her next surgery, the more effective it will be in saving her life. In the fight for her life, she has also been fighting with insurance to cover her medication needs due to the several complications that have occurred through no fault of her own. Insurance wont cover any medication for her hypoglycemia, her thyroid medication (necessary to live as she does not have a thyroid), as well as many of the essential life saving medications she needs. Insurance has refused to authorize care at MAYO hospital even though my sisters life depends on it. This leaves every single appointment, procedure, medication, and all other expenses to come out of pocket. She advocates for herself as she fights for her life due to the surgeon's mistakes and the healthcare system keeps failing her. She now has to self administer daily injections for blood clots and thyroid injections all of which insurance refuses to cover. My sister is also now being tested for pancreatic cancer. Kajal has been at deaths door numerous times, however, she continues to be fearless and puts forth her best fight. Kajal is the epitome of a warrior.
Today, Kajal continues to fight the mycobacterium infection. This infection has resulted in twenty-four hour excruciating pain, complete loss of appetite, nausea, near-infinite trips to the emergency room and doctors visits, and the inability to work. Treatment for this requires rare medications, with only 3 available worldwide for this strain, along with multiple surgeries, scans and procedures. She is also undergoing various tests for pancreatic cancer and will need further treatment for both illnesses. Time is of the essence and she needs to get treatment immediately if she is to live. Kajal is now facing the race against time and still chooses to make the most of every day and remain positive. As mentioned, insurance has refused to assist with expenses for these healthcare needs, leaving her no other option but to pay out of pocket for every medical expense. After paying for expenses out of pocket for years, finances have been left scarce just as Kajal prepares to face a new medical journey.
Beginning next week, Kajal will begin the treatment process, starting with a series of scans. She selflessly cares for people in their time of need no matter what she is going through. Whether it’s a loved one or a stranger, she always goes above and beyond. As she faces each day, it is our time to show her our love and support. By giving our financial support, she will be able to receive the dire needed treatment and surgeries that will ultimately allow her to survive. As Kajal prepares to face a medical giant yet again, we ask from the bottom of our hearts, that you please send positive vibes, pray, share, and donate so that one day soon we can all see the smile that illuminates and makes a difference in the hearts of so many.
Thank you all so beyond much for your love and support in advance!
To everyone that has encountered Kajal, she has been the person who has left a tremendous impact on them and has selflessly cared for those surrounding her despite circumstances of her own. My sister is easily the strongest, bravest, and most resilient person to come by. She’s always been a true friend and a true fighter. It’s easy to love Kajal, no matter what she leaves people better than how she found them. She has been the definition of a warrior. When you look at her, you wouldn’t be able to guess half of what she has gone through and what she will have to go through in the upcoming year. From birth, Kajal has had to fight courageously to live. Despite having many health difficulties from a young age, the most recent years have been the most trying.
Recently, Kajal has been facing unimaginable health issues. The week of her 21st birthday, marked the beginning of a trying era. She learned that she had stage four thyroid cancer. Doctors said this would require a 3 hour surgery to remove the tumor as well as her thyroid gland. During surgery, the doctors quickly realized that the cancer had spread a lot more than anticipated. This surgery ended up being 11 hours where the surgeons fully removed the tumor, thyroid gland, and 76 lymph nodes. Following recovery, Kajal then underwent iodine radiation treatment where she was completely isolated. Since then, she has relentlessly fought illness after illness. From this surgery she developed sleep apnea. She dealt with the sleep apnea, battling cancer, and countless other illnesses, all while taking 26 credit hours to complete her bachelor's degree. After graduating, she developed a hernia which required surgery to resolve. In 2020, she almost died from jaundice as well as being diagnosed with gallstones, this required another surgery to remove her gallbladder and the stones. Later in 2020, Kajal was diagnosed with an ulcer requiring treatment by TPN and other procedures for months. The TPN treatment was done by a procedure which required a central line that ran from her forearm to her heart. Kajal had to get all this done multiple times and without any anesthetics. This PIC line ran close to her heart and began to cause cardiac issues resulting in this excruciating procedure having to be redone several times, but was necessary for her to survive. After many failed interventions, she had to have surgery to close the ulcer in 2021.
As if Kajal had not been through enough, 2022 brought a fresh set of challenges as a result of medical negligence from surgeons who operated to close the ulcer. Kajal was diagnosed with a rare infection called mycobacterium abscessus complex non tuberculosis, coming from a piece of mesh left inside her body during surgery. This is a severely deadly infection which doctors have been trying to treat for over a year with surgeries, oral medications, as well as IV antibiotics. In Texas, Kajal underwent emergency surgery for the infection leaving open wounds that she has to clean and change daily by herself. The doctors tried to treat the infection with oral antibiotics as well as IV antibiotics, but the medicine was unfortunately ineffective. She was then referred to ID specialists in New Mexico where she received surgery and treatments for 6 months. To receive these treatments, Kajal again had to undergo the painful procedure of having a large line sutured into her artery for several months. After getting the PIC line, she had to self administer IV antibiotics 6 times a day every single day. Only 3 IV antibiotics have been shown to be effective against this strain of infection, 2 of which have made her sick to the point of hospitalization for pancreatitis. Not only did this mesh cause the infection, but multiple health issues as well. In 2023, this infection also caused an internal bleed to where my sister threw up bags full of blood. Kajal had a hole in her stomach that ended up requiring blood transfusions and an 8 hour surgery. During this surgery, she developed a DVT leaving her left arm paralyzed by the surgeons. After all of this, the ID doctors in New Mexico said they did everything they could for her and that she needed to be seen by a specialist at the MAYO hospital. Kajal has fought through and survived countless surgeries and she will have to continue to fight through numerous surgeries due to this infection, as well as multiple self administered treatments per day. These drugs are not guaranteed, the sooner she can begin treatment again and get her next surgery, the more effective it will be in saving her life. In the fight for her life, she has also been fighting with insurance to cover her medication needs due to the several complications that have occurred through no fault of her own. Insurance wont cover any medication for her hypoglycemia, her thyroid medication (necessary to live as she does not have a thyroid), as well as many of the essential life saving medications she needs. Insurance has refused to authorize care at MAYO hospital even though my sisters life depends on it. This leaves every single appointment, procedure, medication, and all other expenses to come out of pocket. She advocates for herself as she fights for her life due to the surgeon's mistakes and the healthcare system keeps failing her. She now has to self administer daily injections for blood clots and thyroid injections all of which insurance refuses to cover. My sister is also now being tested for pancreatic cancer. Kajal has been at deaths door numerous times, however, she continues to be fearless and puts forth her best fight. Kajal is the epitome of a warrior.
Today, Kajal continues to fight the mycobacterium infection. This infection has resulted in twenty-four hour excruciating pain, complete loss of appetite, nausea, near-infinite trips to the emergency room and doctors visits, and the inability to work. Treatment for this requires rare medications, with only 3 available worldwide for this strain, along with multiple surgeries, scans and procedures. She is also undergoing various tests for pancreatic cancer and will need further treatment for both illnesses. Time is of the essence and she needs to get treatment immediately if she is to live. Kajal is now facing the race against time and still chooses to make the most of every day and remain positive. As mentioned, insurance has refused to assist with expenses for these healthcare needs, leaving her no other option but to pay out of pocket for every medical expense. After paying for expenses out of pocket for years, finances have been left scarce just as Kajal prepares to face a new medical journey.
Beginning next week, Kajal will begin the treatment process, starting with a series of scans. She selflessly cares for people in their time of need no matter what she is going through. Whether it’s a loved one or a stranger, she always goes above and beyond. As she faces each day, it is our time to show her our love and support. By giving our financial support, she will be able to receive the dire needed treatment and surgeries that will ultimately allow her to survive. As Kajal prepares to face a medical giant yet again, we ask from the bottom of our hearts, that you please send positive vibes, pray, share, and donate so that one day soon we can all see the smile that illuminates and makes a difference in the hearts of so many.
Thank you all so beyond much for your love and support in advance!
Organizer
Kajal Patel
Organizer
Albuquerque, NM