Help Leela Beat Kawasaki Disease
Donation protected
My name is Amanda Merriman. I am the lucky aunt to many nieces and nephews. However, today I would like to tell you about one special niece of mine Leela.
Last week Leela came down with what started as an eye conjunctivitis. A few days later she tested positive for strep throat. From about that time on she became really weak, lethargic, and dehydrated. She went to the doctor/urgent care/ER 4-5 times in a week as she was getting worse.
My sister, Cassandra Neal, a respiratory therapist and my self a registered nurse, kept insisting there was something else wrong with her.
On Friday September 1st Leela's pediatrician squeezed her into the schedule. She decided to send her as a direct admit to Rockford Memorial Hospital.
On Saturday September 2nd they diagnosed her with Kawasaki Disease. They place a PICC line for her infusions. She received a 10 hour immunoglobulin therapy infusion and aspirin therapy. They did a heart ECHO and various other blood tests.
On Sunday September 3rd she was fever free for 24 hours. The doctors were hopeful she would go home Monday or Tuesday. They told Cassandra that she would be immunocompromised for 6 months after the infusion and would need to stay home for that entire time.
Today on Monday September 4th she began spiking a fever again that has not responded to medication. Her liver, kidney, and inflammatory levels are elevated. She is having difficulty breathing. They diagnosed her with right side pneumonia. The thought is now that a macro or super bug has invaded her system and is attempting to shut down her organs.
As I type this Leela is boarding a helicopter here in Rockford IL to be transfered Luries Children's Hospital in Chicago IL. They have specialist that are standing by waiting for her.
My sister Cassandra and her husband Josh were completely thrown off guard by this situation. They have 2 children including Leela and 1 on the way in January. Josh is the sole provider for their household and they just purchased their first home a month ago. This is going to put a huge strain on their money situation as he will be taking off work to travel into Chicago to be at Leela's side. He has no more PTO time left and will not accrue anymore until March 2018. They will now have a mortgage, medical bills, and other daily bills that need to be attended to.
Any $ amount will help them out. If you cannot help monetarily, prayers and thoughts are always accepted, needed, and appreciated.
God bless you all for taking your time to donate or pray for our family during this difficult time.
Last week Leela came down with what started as an eye conjunctivitis. A few days later she tested positive for strep throat. From about that time on she became really weak, lethargic, and dehydrated. She went to the doctor/urgent care/ER 4-5 times in a week as she was getting worse.
My sister, Cassandra Neal, a respiratory therapist and my self a registered nurse, kept insisting there was something else wrong with her.
On Friday September 1st Leela's pediatrician squeezed her into the schedule. She decided to send her as a direct admit to Rockford Memorial Hospital.
On Saturday September 2nd they diagnosed her with Kawasaki Disease. They place a PICC line for her infusions. She received a 10 hour immunoglobulin therapy infusion and aspirin therapy. They did a heart ECHO and various other blood tests.
On Sunday September 3rd she was fever free for 24 hours. The doctors were hopeful she would go home Monday or Tuesday. They told Cassandra that she would be immunocompromised for 6 months after the infusion and would need to stay home for that entire time.
Today on Monday September 4th she began spiking a fever again that has not responded to medication. Her liver, kidney, and inflammatory levels are elevated. She is having difficulty breathing. They diagnosed her with right side pneumonia. The thought is now that a macro or super bug has invaded her system and is attempting to shut down her organs.
As I type this Leela is boarding a helicopter here in Rockford IL to be transfered Luries Children's Hospital in Chicago IL. They have specialist that are standing by waiting for her.
My sister Cassandra and her husband Josh were completely thrown off guard by this situation. They have 2 children including Leela and 1 on the way in January. Josh is the sole provider for their household and they just purchased their first home a month ago. This is going to put a huge strain on their money situation as he will be taking off work to travel into Chicago to be at Leela's side. He has no more PTO time left and will not accrue anymore until March 2018. They will now have a mortgage, medical bills, and other daily bills that need to be attended to.
Any $ amount will help them out. If you cannot help monetarily, prayers and thoughts are always accepted, needed, and appreciated.
God bless you all for taking your time to donate or pray for our family during this difficult time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amanda Merriman
Organizer
Rockford, IL
Cassandra Neal
Beneficiary
