Help support Laura Thomson and her children Makia and Layton
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In July, Laura began exhibiting concerning symptoms, appearing physically unwell and acting "off." After much encouragement, she finally agreed to see a doctor. What followed were multiple doctor visits, hospital stays, and emergency room visits, culminating in a diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver. Laura was informed that she would require a liver transplant.
During this period, a mass was also discovered on her pelvic wall. Just a few days before Christmas, however, she received the good news that the mass was benign. This development was significant, as it cleared the path for her to proceed with the transplant evaluation process.
The following week, on Monday, January 6th, Laura and her sister Hannah were scheduled to travel to the Mayo Clinic to complete the transplant process and have Laura added to the transplant list. However, unforeseen challenges arose that drastically altered these plans.
On December 30th, Laura was unexpectedly let go from her place of employment, despite having received repeated assurances that her job was secure and that she should prioritize her health. This sudden and distressing turn of events added to an already difficult situation.
On January 1st, Laura's health took a severe turn for the worse. Despite several attempts by Hannah and another friend to reach her, Laura did not respond—something not entirely unusual given her illness and frequent need for rest. Concerned, the friend went to check on her and discovered Laura in a critical state, bleeding from the mouth and unresponsive. Emergency services were immediately called.
Laura was transported to the emergency room in Appleton, where doctors found her oxygen levels dangerously low, diagnosed a severe infection, and confirmed she had influenza A. Plans were made to transfer her to the Mayo Clinic ICU by ambulance. However, during transport, her condition deteriorated further as she aspirated, leading to an emergency diversion to the Waconia ER.
At Waconia, Laura was intubated to stabilize her breathing and was subsequently airlifted to Mayo Clinic's ICU for specialized care.
Since Wednesday night, several significant developments have occurred in Laura's situation. To keep everyone updated, I will include the link to her CaringBridge site, where you can follow her journey and receive regular updates.
In the meantime, I am starting this page to help raise funds for Laura and her children, Makia and Layton, as they navigate this challenging period. Your support will make a meaningful difference for their family during this difficult time.
Thank you so much!
Organizer and beneficiary
Niki Strand
Organizer
Appleton, MN
Hannah Strand
Beneficiary