Please Help Amanda, my niece, with Medical Costs

The year 2020 was a disappointing and dismal year for many of us.  Unfortunately for some, it turned out to be a year of life changes.  This was the case with our niece, Amanda Sandrock.

Amanda was always an outgoing, athletic, and caring person.  She played volleyball on a recreational team, held down a job, was a referee for area high school volleyball games, worked out daily, and yet always found time to help and care for family and friends.  Whether it was watching her nephew or helping friends get ready for a wedding by doing the bridal party’s hair, she was always willing to help out when needed. 

In May of 2020 Amanda underwent knee surgery to repair an injury that she sustained while snow skiing.  Since her place of employment didn’t offer insurance, at age 25 she was hoping to get it done before she had to go off of her parent’s insurance.  The injury was such that no in network doctor would perform the surgery, so thus the max out of pocket was reached since she was forced to go out of network.  Thus, leaving a pretty sizeable bill. The surgery was performed and she felt all was good. 

On June 29th Amanda turned 26, forcing her to seek out insurance for herself.  Following tests, she found out in August that she would need a second surgery on her knee because the first one had failed.  This meant that her new insurance policy would need to cover expenses.  It also meant that she was going to be faced with a whole new maximum out of pocket expense.  This worried Amanda because she was not able to work due to her surgery.

On September 17th the second knee surgery was performed.  Following surgery, she developed a surgical site infection and was put on 17 days of antibiotics.  Unfortunately, the infection did not clear up. 

On November 2nd, Amanda developed symptoms of Covid.  She was tested, but the results were negative, so no medication was given. On November 12th she awoke with a rattling in her chest and by now had lost her sense of taste.  Tests showed that she had developed pneumonia due to Covid.  They began treating her with a lot of medication and sent her home.  Unfortunately, things didn’t improve.  Her oxygen levels dropped down to very low levels and she was hospitalized, treating her for Covid with Remdesivir and Plasma.  Finally, after nine long days, she was able to come home.  However, she had to remain on oxygen because of her shortness of breath.

After a few days at home, Amanda developed swelling and was placed on Lasix and an echocardiogram was performed.  Immediately they found out that the Covid had caused major damage to her heart.  She was diagnosed with stage 3 Congestive Heart Failure, was immediately started on medications to help heal her heart and an appointment was made for an MRI along with seeing a heart specialist in Peoria.  The MRI showed that her heart had healed a little, but was still critical. She remained on medications and everyone hoped for the best.

During the month of January many tests were run on her heart and lungs, along with checking for possible blood clots.  She still did not have the strength or capabilities of going back to work and of course, with the new year, her insurance deductible started over again. 

On February 10 she woke up in the early morning hours and immediately passed out.  She was taken to the ER in Galesburg, Illinois and admitted into the hospital.  After a couple of days and numerous tests, she was transferred by ambulance to St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois.  A whole team of doctors were on her case, and after several more tests, determined she had Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction from Covid, and that she is a Covid Long Hauler.  Unfortunately, treatment for the autonomic nervous system dysfunction can hurt her heart and treatment for her heart Issues makes the autonomic nervous dysfunction issues much worse.  It has just been a vicious circle.  To top it all off, she was informed by the insurance company that she had met her third maximum out of pocket in less than nine months. 

Following this latest hospitalization, Amanda has seen multiple doctors, along with undergoing several more tests.  The health professionals have recommended that she not return to work for the foreseeable future.  The doctors also informed her that they were referring her case to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  At present she is waiting for further instructions. 

As you can see it has been a long-life changing year for Amanda.  There have been many of you that have reached out to see how you can help, and for that she and her family are truly thankful.  We’ve created this Go Fund Me as a way in which we can hopefully help her with some of the medical expenses she has incurred.  We know it won’t cure her medical complications, but hope that it will help to alleviate a little of the financial problem.  If you can help Amanda, we truly appreciate it. 

Amanda’s advice to everyone is to take Covid seriously!  Take care, stay safe and God Bless!
Sending our love to you, Amanda,
Aunt Cathy & Aunt Denise