The Fight Isn’t Over: Support Catherine’s Healing Journey

The Fight Isn’t Over: Catherine’s Battle with Infection Continues

Update Nov 4th, 2024

On Sunday, Catherine's pain became unmanageable, and we had to return to PCH. By that evening, she was re-admitted as her pain and infection persisted, requiring urgent intervention. Today, she underwent another procedure to drain fluid and place a second drainage tube to help manage the infection. Catherine now faces an extended course of IV antibiotics, and after nine days without solid food, her body is significantly weakened.

While the fluid being drained is only mildly infectious, there is hope that with continued care, Catherine will stabilize and may be able to return home by Wednesday. However, this journey toward restoring her health is proving to be long and challenging.

We ask for your support and prayers for Catherine’s healing. Your messages, prayers, and kindness have meant so much to us during this difficult time.

Urgent Help Needed: Our Daughter is Fighting for Her Life in Mexico

I never imagined that a simple stomachache could turn into a life-threatening emergency. Our beautiful, vibrant daughter Catherine was misdiagnosed when we first sought help. What we thought was a minor issue quickly spiraled out of control.

When the pain did not subside, she was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a perforated appendix. The infection spread rapidly, leading to a severe case of sepsis as it entered the bloodstream—a condition that could have taken her from us. She’s now battling pneumonia and sepsis, and despite being on the strongest antibiotics available, she’s not improving.

I am watching our daughter fight for her life, and the only thing standing between her and proper care is money. Our insurance doesn’t cover medical expenses outside the U.S., and we’ve drained everything we have. In two days, we won’t be able to afford the hospital care that is keeping her alive.

I’m terrified. Without your help, Catherine might never make it home.

Please, if you can find it in your heart, help me bring my daughter back to the U.S. and cover her mounting hospital bills. Every donation, no matter the amount, brings us one step closer to saving her life.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Update: 10/20/24 9:32 AM.

Our Daughter is now stable but in the CCU (Critical Care Unit) in Mexico.

The Doctor said she is stable but still requires Critical Care. A full-time nurse has been in her room for the last three days. The full-time nurse has now been removed, but we must get her to the US before we run out of funds. Please help.

Update: 10/20/24 5:30 PM I believe we will get Catherine home.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read our story and consider offering support. While you may not have been able to contribute, knowing that people care enough to stay informed and send prayers has been a source of comfort. I’m deeply grateful for the support we’ve received, and I wanted to share that someone has stepped up to help us move forward. Your concern and attention have meant so much during this challenging time. Thank you for being part of our journey.

Update: 10/21/24 6:10 AM Cannot transport. Up to three weeks in hospital.

We found out this morning, Catherine is going to need to be in the hospital for up to three weeks. As of now we cannot transport her until at the earliest Saturday. Maybe longer. The estimate to take care of this has shifted beyond any explanation. We really hope we do not need to ask for help, but I have no choice but to open this backup. If you can help, God bless you.

Update: 10/21/24 2:12 PM My daughter needs emergency surgery for a life-threatening abscess.

We’ve just found a massive abscess stretching from her heart down to behind her bladder, crossing her abdomen—likely filled with dangerous bacteria. She’s going into emergency surgery as soon as the room is available. All she wants is to go home, but I have to tell her she can’t be moved for at least a week or two. This is just heartbreaking.

I’m reaching out again because I can’t manage this on my own anymore. We’ve exhausted our family’s resources, and now I’m asking friends and strangers for help. Without this surgery and the next three weeks on extreme antibiotics (Meropenem), she wouldn’t survive. Any assistance you can offer would mean everything to us.

Update: 10/22/24, 8:00 AM – Catherine Out of Surgery

Last night, Catherine underwent surgery at 9:30 PM, which concluded around 1:45 AM. After spending three hours in recovery, she returned to her room by 4:50 AM. Fortunately, the surgical team did not find the suspected abscess. Instead, they discovered that due to the initial infection and previous surgery, both her small and large intestines had ceased functioning and had started to fuse together.

As Catherine's healing process began, scar tissue caused further fusing, leading to a disruption in intestinal function. This resulted in the buildup of gastrointestinal contents and swelling, which was initially mistaken for an abscess. The bleeding she experienced was caused by portions of the intestines pulling apart. During surgery, the surgeon carefully examined all 26–28 feet of her intestines to ensure there were no further adhesions. This thorough procedure took considerable time and required Catherine to receive a blood transfusion.

Although Catherine will not require months of antibiotics or a lengthy hospital stay, she will need three to four weeks of recovery. Currently, she is not stable enough to fly, but we are optimistic that she will be able to travel in about ten days. We are aiming to return to Phoenix by Saturday, November 2nd.

We ask for your continued prayers for Catherine’s swift and complete recovery through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Additionally, we kindly request your support to help cover the remaining ten days of hospital expenses during her recovery period.

Update: 10/22/24, 11:00 PM - The next 24 hours are critical.

It hasn’t even been a full day since Catherine’s surgery, and her body is struggling to heal. Between metabolic complications and sepsis, she’s in significant pain and completely drained of energy. Though walking is difficult, it’s necessary, and she’s made the effort six times today despite the pain and exhaustion. She had her second blood transfusion today to help restore some energy, after which the IV needle in her neck was finally removed, though several other IVs remain in place.

The next 24 hours will be crucial in determining whether she is on the road to recovery or if she needs to be moved to the ICU. Please keep Catherine in your prayers so that the Holy Spirit may rest upon her and heal her.

We sincerely appreciate your continued prayers and support. As we navigate these challenges, we also face mounting medical expenses, as represented by the higher-than-expected cost of surgery. It would be greatly appreciated if you can help financially during this difficult time. Thank you to everyone who is praying for her and following her journey.

Update (October 23, 2024, 12:55 PM):

We are beginning to see signs of improvement, but she remains in critical condition.

Both the pediatrician and surgeon visited today and confirmed that she is doing better, though still under intensive care. Her color is returning, and her skin is no longer as clammy as it was yesterday. The doctors cleaned her stitches, which are healing well—a positive sign. However, we are closely monitoring some remaining internal bleeding, as well as her intestines.

It is crucial that her bowels start functioning, but unfortunately, they haven’t yet. She continues to receive heavy doses of antibiotics, along with vitamins and carbohydrates. It’s been over a week since she last ate, and we are expecting the gastroenterologist today to prescribe IV nutrition to support her recovery.

Currently, she is walking every 30 minutes, though it is painful for her each time. She’s understandably frustrated, and it breaks my heart to see her in pain, but these steps are essential for her healing.

The nurses just got done cleaning all her wounds. She's sleeping now.

We greatly appreciate your support during this difficult time. If you’re able, please consider donating to help us continue her care and ensure she receives the best possible treatment. Your generosity means the world to us.

Devastated: 10/23/24 4:17 PM.

We have been asking for an estimate for services for a couple of days, but they could not provide one due to too much uncertainty.

Well we just got an estimate: $85,000 through next Saturday.

We must Lifeflight. Looking now.

Update: 10/24/24: Today has been tough

The pediatrician came in, but there were no bowel sounds, which is very concerning. Catherine’s intestines need to start functioning today, or her condition will become even more critical with every passing minute.

We’ve been working hard to arrange a medical transfer, but the results so far have been disappointing. One company can’t fly to Mexico, where we are. Another is out of service for the next month, and the third won’t be available until Tuesday. But waiting until Tuesday isn’t an option for Catherine. So, the search continues.

Thankfully, I have some amazing people helping us explore every possible option here.

I’ll keep this update short because there’s so much more work to be done.

God bless everyone who is praying for Catherine. Please keep her in your prayers. We need all the support we can get

Update: 10/27/24 - Moving Forward Through Uncertainty

It’s been a whirlwind of efforts and emotions. Thursday was spent exploring every possible avenue to arrange transport to Phoenix, but we faced numerous obstacles with logistics and timing. Late in the day, we finally connected with a Mexican company willing to help, arranging a flight for Friday at 12:00 noon. For the first time in days, it felt like progress.

However, Friday brought another challenge. The flight was delayed until 3:00 p.m., and by then, we were ready—her doctors cleared Catherine, and our hospital bill was managed through the kindness of family and friends. Then, just before the plane’s arrival, we received another setback: the pilot had reached his duty hours limit. The disappointment was profound. That pit in the bottom of our stomach just exploded with gasps of air and tears. So we found ourselves again trying to remain hopeful, with no choice but to wait until the next day.

At last, early Saturday morning, relief came with a message just before the scheduled pick-up time: “The plane is en route.” Thanks to everyone's support, we had just enough to cover one last hospital bill, and Catherine was finally on her way. Her transfer was slow but steady, with multiple checks and inspections, but the sight of Phoenix Children’s Hospital felt like the first light in a long journey.

PCH has provided an incredible team of specialists who have been supportive, thorough, and attentive to every detail. Knowing we’re now in a place equipped with the resources and knowledge Catherine needs is truly reassuring. There’s still a long road ahead: Catherine is stable, but further treatments, procedures, and continuous monitoring will be part of her journey. We are grateful to be here, even as we brace for what’s next.

Each prayer, message, and act of kindness has lifted us, and we thank you more than words can express. We remain deeply appreciative of the continued support from friends, family, and even strangers who have come into our lives during this time.

Update on Costs and the Journey Ahead

As we work toward Catherine’s full recovery, we want to be transparent about the significant expenses we’re facing. This journey has included multiple surgeries, a stay at Joya Hospital in Mexico, and now, the transfer and ongoing care at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The cost as of Saturday (26th) is $99,184 and growing. The breakdown of costs so far includes: (updated)

• Joya Hospital Bill: Approximately $68,684 USD

o Total Doctor Services $22,259

o Total Hospital Services: $46,4250

• Medical Transport (Air One Ambulance from Mexico to Phoenix): $30,500 USD

• Phoenix Children’s Hospital Co-pay: TBD

We’ve now reached a point where all reserves have been exhausted, and our family’s support has been overwhelmed. This journey has become not only a medical but also a financial horror. I cannot see how I can pay for the care already received, let alone going forward. Any assistance through GoFundMe helps us continue to focus on Catherine's needs without the immediate burden of mounting costs. Your support, in whatever form it takes, makes an immeasurable difference to us during this time. We extend our deepest and most sincere thanks for the kindness and generosity you have shown our family.