Help support mom to stay with Letabelle in hospital

On August 17, I brought my daughter, Letabelle, to the ER at downtown Lebonheur. She was lethargic, had fever, and what seemed like a really bad stomach virus. She was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis as well as severe acute colitis. We were admitted to the PICU and immediately put on IV antibiotics. We were able to come to a normal floor after another 2 night stay in the PICU. After 14 days of antibiotics, we started the rehabilitation process, but Letabelle kept spiking fevers and vomiting randomly. She would not eat or drink after 10 days of TPN and lipids, so we had to start feeds by a NG tube. She tested positive for rhinovirus shortly before we left when her temp went from 103 to 93.8 in less than 24 hours. She started eating and drinking though, and with no fevers for several days, it seemed like it was time to go home after 25 days. We had 2 days at home, and early morning on Saturday, September 14, she started vomiting with fever and began what looked like seizures. I brought her back to the Lebonheur ER, and they immediately took us back to trauma and gave her Versed to stop the seizures. When it wore off after about 30 minutes, they would start again. They eventually did Keppra and that seemed to help a lot. She did start seizing again when we came to the floor with a fever of 104.6. It took until 3 the next morning for the fever to break. Neurology had seen her and will do an EEG on Sept. 16. Infectious disease told me on the 15 to expect to stay for several

more weeks for IV antibiotics because there is an infection hidden somewhere. Her white blood count is high again, but another spinal tap showed no recurring meningitis. I have been so blessed to have been able to be with her for those 25 days. My coworkers made that possible for me, and I am so very grateful. I am on leave of absence, and my plan was to start back this Wednesday the 18. However, now that we are back in the hospital, I am having to extend my leave. I cannot leave my baby here alone, and I am the only one able to stay with her. I hate asking for help, but I figured this was my best option to try and possibly get some donations to help start paying bills that are coming in now. I appreciate the prayers for Letabelle, and I am of course so thankful for any contribution. I pray the doctors are able to figure everything out, and after this stay we are home for good.