An update on Makenna Woods fight with IBD and Ulcerative Colitis.

Makenna has successfully transitioned home and is going back to school full time. We were able to set up a medical 504 for her with her school so she’s being supported academically as well as physically.

We still have weekly doctors appointments, nutritionist appointments, and G.I. appointments,

And that will be be continuing but we do feel we have a better handle on her diagnosis and understanding of how her body will respond to its next flair up. She has a pediatric G.I. team in Oakland that we will be going back-and-forth with. All in all, Makenna has done a very good job in choosing what she eats and adjusting to the new food schedule etc. She feels better and is slowly getting into remission with medication support. It’s going to be a long adjustment period for her until she truly feels like herself again. She needs to learn her body and her limitations going forward.

We appreciate all the love, prayers, and good juju vibes that everyone’s been sending and we ask that you continue to send it forward.

Unfortunately, because she was in the hospital for so long, our medical bills are just now coming in and because of transfers to Oakland and ambulance transports to Oakland and back, with surgeries ( that’s what they are billed as since she was out under general anesthesia ) they are much higher than we expected.

We do appreciate the financial support and generosity from our friends and family. Words can’t even begin to express how thankful we are to have that extra support that has been overwhelming at times!

Thank you for loving our family and supporting Makenna in this medical diagnosis.

It appears that the medical team is closing in on the diagnosis for Makenna. A form of Ulcerative Colitis is the leading suspect as the cause of her problems. Tests have shown that 2/3 of her large intestine is inflamed. Unfortunately, waiting for pathology reports, finding the correct meds to treat the disease, continuing the IV narcotic pain relievers and being unable to eat anything until all has calmed and stabilized means probably another week in the hospital incurring more financial charges necessitating a new goal level. Thanks so much to all of you who have contributed so generously. Blessings!

Hi, my name is Dale McElhaney and i'm trying to raise some funding to help pay for my Grand daughters very large hospital/doctor/ambulance bill. Makenna was hospitalized on the 25th of September for severe abdominal pain. The pain had started the week prior but her mom and the doctors had her go through a series of tests to try and see what the cause was, all as an out patient. After ultrasounds, X-rays, labs and intestinal clean outs, they were not able to find a specific cause to blame for the pain. Unfortunately the pain became so intense that her body couldn’t handle it on her own anymore so she had to be admitted.

As of the 1st of October she was transferred to the Hospital in Oakland to the pediatric unit, where they have a team assembled to attack and diagnose whatever’s going on in her body. When she got to the hospital in Oakland, her IV quit working and her body started shutting down again with her veins collapsing. After 3 or 4 tries, they were able to get a fresh IV in so she was able to get the meds needed but she has been through Hell!!

With no definitive end in site, there is no telling how much longer she will be hospitalized. In addition to that, her Mom, Kellie has been off work without pay and will be for as long as it takes to diagnose and treat her illness.

Over the last 6 days Makenna has had to endure more pain and discomfort than anyone should in their life time. Makenna is as tough as nails but no one should have to go through this, especially a sweet young lady like her. The mental and physical aspects of this has of course been very hard on the entire family and help in taking care of the bills would be just one less thing to be concerned about.

Please consider donating whatever you feel able to, or if unable, please tell your friends about this worthy cause and say a prayer for Makenna. Thank you.