$5,585 raised
·50 donations
Joelle & Merfalen Family
Donation protected
WHAT HAPPENED WITH JOELLE?
On December 16th, Rachel took Joelle to the ER after she woke up with blood blisters on her lips and what looked like bleeding beneath the skin on her legs. Her body began bruising rapidly, and she started having nosebleeds. Joelle was immediately admitted to Rady Children's Hospital with an initial diagnosis of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).
ITP is a bleeding disorder where the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clotting. Normal platelet levels are 150,000 - 450,000 per microliter of blood. Joelle's platelet count in the ER was 4,000 /mcl. Any amount below 10,000/mcl means there is a risk for spontaneous bleeding, which was happening with Joelle. The biggest risk factor for a platelet count that low is bleeding that won't stop, especially in the brain, which can be life threatening.
The recommended treatment for ITP is Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG), which is a 4-6 hour process of adding antibodies to Joelle's bloodstream, to help her body stop destroying platelets. After two rounds of IVIG over the first 2 nights in the hospital, her body was not responding, and her platelet levels remained low. She also experienced a persistent nosebleed that was alarming to the Hematology Drs. The second treatment she began receiving is a short course of steroids.
After spending 5 days at Rady Children's Hospital, Joelle's platelet count raised to 107,000 and she went home with Rachel and Shawn on Saturday! She will require close follow-up, and the current treatment isn't guaranteed to work, but so far has shown positive results. Joelle is happy to be home, but experiences some side-effects that make her not-quite her normal self.
HOW CAN I HELP?
The Merfalen Family needs the support of their community. A hospital stay of any length can be a traumatic experience, especially for a 3-year old! Please pray for continued healing, both physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
A hospital stay of this length is also costly. Medical expenses aside (and an unknown hospital bill pending), Rachel and Shawn weren't able to work during the crisis, which came at the untimely peak of the holiday sales season for their business. As small business owners, they don't get sick pay, PTO, or disability leave. They also lost revenue by not being able to work during the week before Christmas. This is a critical season for them, as Rachel says they make nearly 25% of their annual revenue in December each year.
The funds you contribute will help recoup expenses associated with Joelle's hospitalization and ongoing care. It will also help replace some of the income Shawn and Rachel lost while caring for their family, and give them security and peace of mind to continue to provide a safe, healing environment for Joelle.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Joelle's condition will be closely monitored. She'll have weekly visits to the Hematology clinic at Rady's to see if the steroid treatment continues to work. If it doesn't, other treatments are available. It's common for platelet levels to rise and fall, and it could take several months for them to return to normal levels. Joelle won't be able to do some of the things she loves (bike riding, climbing and jumping, wrestling with Daddy), because of the risks associated with a head injury. But hopefully - not for long!
Rachel and Shawn will post updates here as Joelle’s condition improves!
This GoFund Me is being facilitated by Fairlight Lower, close friend of the family (and Corban's Godmother). For questions and other contact needs, please send an email to Fairlight Lower ([email redacted])
On December 16th, Rachel took Joelle to the ER after she woke up with blood blisters on her lips and what looked like bleeding beneath the skin on her legs. Her body began bruising rapidly, and she started having nosebleeds. Joelle was immediately admitted to Rady Children's Hospital with an initial diagnosis of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).
ITP is a bleeding disorder where the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clotting. Normal platelet levels are 150,000 - 450,000 per microliter of blood. Joelle's platelet count in the ER was 4,000 /mcl. Any amount below 10,000/mcl means there is a risk for spontaneous bleeding, which was happening with Joelle. The biggest risk factor for a platelet count that low is bleeding that won't stop, especially in the brain, which can be life threatening.
The recommended treatment for ITP is Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG), which is a 4-6 hour process of adding antibodies to Joelle's bloodstream, to help her body stop destroying platelets. After two rounds of IVIG over the first 2 nights in the hospital, her body was not responding, and her platelet levels remained low. She also experienced a persistent nosebleed that was alarming to the Hematology Drs. The second treatment she began receiving is a short course of steroids.
After spending 5 days at Rady Children's Hospital, Joelle's platelet count raised to 107,000 and she went home with Rachel and Shawn on Saturday! She will require close follow-up, and the current treatment isn't guaranteed to work, but so far has shown positive results. Joelle is happy to be home, but experiences some side-effects that make her not-quite her normal self.
HOW CAN I HELP?
The Merfalen Family needs the support of their community. A hospital stay of any length can be a traumatic experience, especially for a 3-year old! Please pray for continued healing, both physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
A hospital stay of this length is also costly. Medical expenses aside (and an unknown hospital bill pending), Rachel and Shawn weren't able to work during the crisis, which came at the untimely peak of the holiday sales season for their business. As small business owners, they don't get sick pay, PTO, or disability leave. They also lost revenue by not being able to work during the week before Christmas. This is a critical season for them, as Rachel says they make nearly 25% of their annual revenue in December each year.
The funds you contribute will help recoup expenses associated with Joelle's hospitalization and ongoing care. It will also help replace some of the income Shawn and Rachel lost while caring for their family, and give them security and peace of mind to continue to provide a safe, healing environment for Joelle.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Joelle's condition will be closely monitored. She'll have weekly visits to the Hematology clinic at Rady's to see if the steroid treatment continues to work. If it doesn't, other treatments are available. It's common for platelet levels to rise and fall, and it could take several months for them to return to normal levels. Joelle won't be able to do some of the things she loves (bike riding, climbing and jumping, wrestling with Daddy), because of the risks associated with a head injury. But hopefully - not for long!
Rachel and Shawn will post updates here as Joelle’s condition improves!
This GoFund Me is being facilitated by Fairlight Lower, close friend of the family (and Corban's Godmother). For questions and other contact needs, please send an email to Fairlight Lower ([email redacted])
Donations
Co-organizers (2)
Fairlight Lower
Organizer
San Diego, CA
Rachel Eva
Co-organizer