Liz Welle
Donation protected
On March 8th, Liz started to feel sick - it started with a headache, which turned into a fever and then full on fatigue. She went to urgent care on the morning of the 12th, where the doctors gave her fluids, and sent her home. Hours later, her headache was unbearable, and she went to the E.R, where she was given a spinal tap and was diagnosed with viral meningitis, and was admitted immediately. But - something wasn’t right. Her body wasn’t fighting the infection, and her liver and kidneys were failing. She was moved to the ICU., She wasn’t getting better. She began having trouble breathing. Three days later, on March 15th, she was intubated. Family and friends kept a constant vigil, praying for answers. By March 19th, they delivered a diagnosis - hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis - also known as HLH.
HLH is an extremely rare immune deficiency disorder, where the immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs. It’s so rare that when you Google it, all that comes up are scholarly articles that make your head (and heart) hurt. The good news here is that the disease is reversible with chemotherapy and high doses of steroids.
She began chemotherapy on the 20th, and was taken off sedation and intubation on the 22nd. After three long weeks in the hospital, Liz is finally back home. She will continue to receive a combination of chemotherapy and steroid treatments, and while the road ahead will be difficult, doctors are confident that she will make a full recovery.
Liz fortunately has medical insurance, but this ordeal has been a complete strain financially. As a freelance writer, she hasn’t been able to work for several weeks, and she needs to save every ounce of strength she has to keep up with a rigorous schedule of chemotherapy treatments over the next few months. We want her to focus on getting well, and not on the added stress of covering medical and living expenses with no active income.
Your donations will go towards helping Liz get back on her feet, and to help her family, who have taken significant time off from work to be by her side through every step of her journey. No donation is too small. If you are unable to donate, we ask that you consider sharing this link with your friends and family, and to please keep Liz and the entire Welle family in your thoughts and prayers.
Liz has touched so many people. Her online book club raises hundreds of dollars each month to those who are most in need. Her candor in sharing the difficult, sometimes painful parts of her life has inspired So Many People. The world (and the internet) is a less beautiful place without her bright commentary and singular voice. Let’s get her back.
Thank you so much.
HLH is an extremely rare immune deficiency disorder, where the immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs. It’s so rare that when you Google it, all that comes up are scholarly articles that make your head (and heart) hurt. The good news here is that the disease is reversible with chemotherapy and high doses of steroids.
She began chemotherapy on the 20th, and was taken off sedation and intubation on the 22nd. After three long weeks in the hospital, Liz is finally back home. She will continue to receive a combination of chemotherapy and steroid treatments, and while the road ahead will be difficult, doctors are confident that she will make a full recovery.
Liz fortunately has medical insurance, but this ordeal has been a complete strain financially. As a freelance writer, she hasn’t been able to work for several weeks, and she needs to save every ounce of strength she has to keep up with a rigorous schedule of chemotherapy treatments over the next few months. We want her to focus on getting well, and not on the added stress of covering medical and living expenses with no active income.
Your donations will go towards helping Liz get back on her feet, and to help her family, who have taken significant time off from work to be by her side through every step of her journey. No donation is too small. If you are unable to donate, we ask that you consider sharing this link with your friends and family, and to please keep Liz and the entire Welle family in your thoughts and prayers.
Liz has touched so many people. Her online book club raises hundreds of dollars each month to those who are most in need. Her candor in sharing the difficult, sometimes painful parts of her life has inspired So Many People. The world (and the internet) is a less beautiful place without her bright commentary and singular voice. Let’s get her back.
Thank you so much.
Fundraising team: Team Welle (2)
Michael Knapmiller
Organiser
Minneapolis, MN
Kelly Welle
Beneficiary
Kelly Welle
Team member
