Katherine NEEDS YOUR HELP to regain her life back

Hi, my name is Jennifer. I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of my cousin, Katherine Gomez who needs your help.

Her Story

Katherine, Katie, or as her family calls her (Chachi), was diagnosed with Autoimmune Encephalitis. Here is a background of everything that has happened with her and how it's affected her and our family.

In December of 2014 in the middle of the night, Katie started seizing. She was rushed to New York Presbyterian Hospital in Forest Hills that night where she continued to have back-to-back seizures. The doctors were unable to control those seizures for 3 days. We weren't getting any answers from the doctors there, so we requested that she be transferred to Long Island Jewish Hospital. By the time Katie reached that hospital, she had so much brain swelling that doctors recommended that she be put in a medically induced coma. Katie was in a coma for weeks. Doctor's worked hard to figure out what was causing the seizures, but they were also stumped. Even in a coma, Katie still continued to get seizures. They told us that if she woke up from the coma, she would most likely be unable to walk, speak, or even hear like she once used to. This was heartbreaking for our family, but especially for Katie's mother, Martha and her daughter Emily.

We thought that Katie would never wake up from the coma. Doctors even had conversations with her mother, Martha, about possibly taking her off the machines. Her mother and our family did not lose hope, and weeks later, Katie woke up.

When Katie woke up from the coma, we were relieved that she had made it. However, she was not the same Katie we knew her to be. This was hard to see and experience, but we were grateful. With much therapy, Katie was able to walk and speak, but her journey did not end there. Doctors could still not figure out what she had. The aftermath of this has been even worse.

Present Day

After years of doctors trying to figure out what she has, Katie was recently diagnosed with Autoimmune Encephalitis, a rare disease in which the body's immune system attacks the brain, causing inflammation. This causes rapid changes in BOTH physical and mental health. Katie's health has deteriorated across the years and continues to.

She continues to have seizures alongside many unexplained health issues. Doctors are unsure of what to even tell her anymore. They cannot seem to explain or tell her what is occurring. She continues to have seizures and is often hospitalized. She is on 9 different medications, which have side effects as well. She feels pain in her joints, tired, sleepy, and lethargic. There are days when she has no appetite. The latest thing that has occurred is that she is breaking out in dark spots all over her body, making her feel self-conscious and desperate about her condition. She has tried everything from medication, visiting several neurologists, and natural medicine to no avail.

How Donating Will Help

I have done some research and found a world-renowned physician, Dr. Najjar, who may be able to help Katie. He is internationally recognized for his clinical, research and teaching expertise, having dedicated his career to diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, neuroinflammation-related neuropsychiatric disorders and autoimmune disorders. However, he is not in network, so all of Katie's appointments with him will have to be paid out of pocket.

By donating to this cause, you will help Katie get the best possible care and hopefully, he will be able to help her live a meaningful and manageable life alongside her daughter Emily and her family, who love her very much.

In addition, I ask that you keep Katie in your prayers. She has been battling with this for 8 years. We hope that she will find some comfort and peace soon. Please spread the word. Even the smallest amount will help.

We are eternally grateful. Thank you for your consideration and kindness.

Jennifer Borges on behalf of Katherine Gomez