I don’t know how to ask for help, but I need it….
Donation protected
This is a long one. I am beyond humbled, ashamed, embarrassed and terrified to even ask for money, but my parents have been supporting me since I almost died a little over 4 years ago from malpractice, when I went to the dentist for routine dental work and had some teeth extractions and was put under anaesthesia. I went in healthy and happy but hours later, I was in a Coma, literally near death.
When I went to the dentist that day, I contracted Klebsiella pneumonia, which is an extremely rare form of pneumonia found in medical settings, typically due to improperly sanitized medical equipment.
The Anaesthesiologist did not take proper records, there were several Breaches of the Standard of Care, as per the Expert that is working on my legal case, alongside my lawyers. I have all of my hospital records, lawyers documents and emails to verify this.
I returned home, unaware of what was happening, thinking I was just feeling horrible because of my dentist appointment and suddenly started coughing up blood. My partner (at the time) rushed me to the hospital and I was intubated almost immediately. The Doctors couldn’t believe that I had somehow walked into the Emergency Room. Shortly after that, I went into septic shock.
They had phoned in Specialists from other hospitals to try and save me, as there was nothing they could do at Guelph General. They needed specialized equipment that they just didn’t have. I needed to go to Toronto General Hospital, which has advanced technology and Specialists to treat me and have the best chance at saving my life, but I was too fragile to be transported, so I remained at GGH.
I was put into a medically induced Coma. My family was called at 2am to come immediately, a 4 1/2 hour drive away from me, because the doctors did not think I would make it through the night. Spoiler alert, I did! I’m a strong-willed fighter, apparently even when I’m on my death bed and truthfully, a part of me believes that my stubbornness, helped to keep me alive.
While in the hospital in Guelph, I was put on a LOT of medications to help my blood to continue to go to my vital organs to try to keep me alive. I was put on a respirator at first and then eventually the doctors performed an emergency Tracheotomy, as I was not able to breathe on my own, even with the respirator. I also contracted C-Dif while I was there.
After I was “stable” enough (about 48 hours later) I was able to be transported to Toronto General Hospital. I was in such bad shape and so fragile, that they weren’t able to airlift me and I had to be transported via ambulance. My condition was so critical, I was near death. After Guelph Hospital was at an impasse, thankfully the lead Doctor at GGH reached out to Toronto General Hospital, as they were unable to help me any further. The amazing Team of Specialists from TGH came immediately to hook me up to an ECMO machine, which they brought with them, as it was necessary to keep me alive.
An ECMO essentially takes all of the blood out of your body through two large tubes. One inserted in my neck and the other in my thigh. The machine basically cleans the blood
and then returns it. The cover picture is me, in a Coma, hooked up to the ECMO, attached to about 15 different IVs.
I was there for several weeks, still in a Coma, still hooked up to the ECMO machine, as it was necessary for my survival. I was in a single room in the ICU, with 2 dedicated nurses, watching me 24/7. At this point, my fingers and feet began to go Necrotic from the influx of medications that I was on.
After several weeks, I was somewhat stable enough to be transported back to Guelph General, where I remained in a single room, in the ICU, in front of the nurses station, so they were able watch me constantly for several (more) weeks. I remained hooked up to a tracheotomy and colostomy bag for several weeks, being tube fed and using a white board to communicate.
Due to the medication I was given to save my life, all of the blood flow to my extremities, instead went to protect my vital organs. Meaning, there was no blood flow to my fingers and toes. They slowly went Necrotic.
I went through several months of watching my fingers and feet turn black and slowly die. I had a nurse come twice a day, every day, to clean and re-bandage my hands and feet. They were self-amputating and I was watching it happen. It was horrible.
Watching my fingers and feet slowly die and knowing there was nothing I could do about it, was more painful than the 6 separate surgeries I eventually had to have. I had all of my fingers on my left hand, 3 on my right hand, half of my left foot and all of the toes on my right foot amputated. I am still undergoing constant medical care. I simply just went to the dentist… and now this. All of this.
Being newly disabled, suffering from severe Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, currently attending (via Zoom) a group Trauma therapy program, constant ongoing doctors appointments, medications that aren’t covered under OHIP or ODSP…. I am unable to work and I simply can’t afford all those things… or any of those things to be frank.
I can barely afford to live. If it wasn’t for my parents, who have been helping me as much as they can, I wouldn’t be able to survive. They definitely do not have the money themselves, but they help me with whatever they can. ODSP doesn’t even cover my rent, nevermind food or basic necessities…. and I need help.
I need this money, not only for food and rent, but especially for legal fees, as I am still in litigation and also for a therapy called EMDR, which unfortunately isn’t covered under OHIP or ODSP. It is a proven method for helping to deal with PTSD and Trauma and I desperately need something to help me cope with everything I’ve been through.
Please. Whatever you can donate, I promise, when I win my lawsuit and pay back all my bills, I will make a donation to a charity of your choosing.
Thank you, sincerely, for even taking the time to read this.
Anything can help.
Jessica
Organizer
Jessica Vachon
Organizer
Guelph, ON