Lulu's Medical Journey

My name is Lisa, and very dear friends of mine need help...

For the past three weeks, Jenel's household has been hit with a handful of infectious bugs. First, they all contracted a severe stomach virus. On the coattails of that, they were stricken with flulike symptoms. Everyone seemed to be fighting it off except Magnolia, who spiked a dangerously high fever(105.3). After an ER visit where she tested positive for Flu A, she was sent home with a fluids/fever reducer regimen. As Magnolia finally began improving, Leilani(Lulu), began to decline. She developed an excruciating sore throat and began to spike a high fever(104.2). On Good Friday, Leilani was taken to Mediquick Urgent Care where she tested positive for Flu B and was prescribed Tamiflu and a fluids/fever reducer regimen. On the following day, everyone was greatly relieved when her fever broke and returned to normal range. She was experiencing nausea and diarrhea, but Tamiflu is known to cause gastrointestinal issues. Everyone was breathing a sigh of relief at this point because Lulu was coherent and fever free. When Jenel got home late that night from working a double shift, she noticed a rash in Lulu's armpit. By the grace of GOD, despite her being fever-free and seemingly healing, Jenel trusted her gut and was, I believe, divinely guided to take Lulu to the ER. Upon arrival, the attending physician determined that her vital signs were abnormal. Her heart was in tachycardia at 150 BPM and her BP was critically low at 72/30. The doctor quickly began efforts to stabilize her and called for an ambulance to be dispatched from Wolfson's Children's Hospital in Jacksonville. David(Lulu's dad), then responded to the hospital and rode with Leilani in the ambulance as Jenel followed in her car. The attending doctor asked the EMT to transport with lights and siren. By the time they arrived at Wolfson's, it was early Easter morning. The medical staff triaged Leilani as critical and began life-saving efforts to treat and correct her unstable vitals. She was subsequently diagnosed with not only Flu B, but also Streptococcus(strep), which the urgent care missed and pneumonia. The next 24 hours were fraught with cascading organ dysfunction including kidney function, heart function, and ultimately liver function. She was diagnosed with Septic Shock from the widespread infection. This is a serious, life-threatening immune response that the body can develop when battling severe infection. Leilani has undergone several significant, invasive procedures, including artificial respiration/ventilation and dialysis. These mechanical aids will allow Leilani's body to get some rest by removing the burden from her. The medical team is still fervently treating her heart rate, pressure and perfusion(blood is not circulating fully to her extremities and possibly her brain) and trying to safely manage her liver functioning which can also affect the body's ability to carry blood to all of the body properly. She is a very sick girl and this is going to be a long, rocky road. How can we help?!

First and foremost, please keep Leilani in your prayers for divine healing and strength, for God to guide her medical team to the most profitable treatment plan, to bring David and Jenel calm, comfort and fortitude as they watch their precious child suffer, and lastly please lift up the family and friends who all love Lulu so very much.

Secondly, if it is within your means, please contribute financially to this GoFundMe to help offset the devastating financial burden of both David and Jenel being out of work, securing local accommodations and having to purchase meals.

Lastly, please be on the lookout for an upcoming Meal Train for Don, Madison and Magnolia, while Don will be managing the household and Leilani's two younger sisters.

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing is impossible for you"

Matthew 17:20

LET'S MOVE THIS MOUNTAIN!!