Help a new mom recovering from rare Hantavirus
Donation protected
Kristen was medically discharged from UCSF on August 25th and is now home with her husband and 6 month old daughter. Kristen is a strong fighter with a will to survive and was surrounded by family, friends, love, prayer warriors, and experienced health care professionals. Before she was dismissed from the ICU, her lab results came back positive for hantavirus. Hantavirus is a rare virus that is carried in airborne particles of urine or feces from infected deer mice (usually found in wooded areas and about 12% of them are infected), which can then be inhaled or ingested by people. There have been 78 total cases in California, and they have worldwide mortality rate that can reach up to 60%— making it the third deadliest virus around (number one being Marburg virus and number to being Ebola). There have been no cases in Monterey County, but a recent case in Tahoe, so the ongoing investigation is leading to believe she acquired the virus some time on her Tahoe trip in July.
The doctors are confident she should make a full recovery without any long term issues, as long as she is patient with herself and allows her body to rest and recover from the stress and trauma during her 12 days in the hospital. Kristen is so incredibly blessed and grateful to be alive, but at the same time, is also in a great amount of shock and has symptoms of PTSD.
Currently, Kristen requires 24/7 support to recover and care for her daughter. Her husband has returned to work, so her mother and other family members have stepped in to help with care. We have started a MealTrain in order to help provide meals for Kristen and Chris to alleviate the burden. We thank you all for your generosity and support via GoFundMe and MealTrain.
Even though Kristen is home she is still recovering and has a long way to go. Therefore, we are going to expand the GoFundMe goal to help Kristen and her husband with medical bills, groceries, child care needs, and continued mental health support. Kristen will be on disability for a few months while she works with UCSF, mental health professionals, attends her follow up medical appointments, regains her strength, and focuses on her 6 month old baby and husband.
Kristen and her family are extremely blessed to be surrounded by an amazing community near and far. Let’s continue to bless the Musson family.
If you would like to read Kristen’s full medical journey from her own words, please click the link below. She is committed to spreading awareness about this deadly virus in hopes that her story can save lives.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lily Scott-Birch
Organizer
San Jose, CA
Lynn Scanlon
Beneficiary