Please Help Danielle Hemmingsen

Hello everyone,

I’m sharing this on behalf of Travis and Danielle Hemmingsen. They are long-time friends of mine, both with hearts of gold, and are in dire needs of prayers/financial support as they work to get Dani healed up and get her the rehab she needs closer to home.

Here’s a little backstory:

On Wednesday, May 18th, Dani went to the hospital to get a routine gull bladder removal surgery. During the operation, her heart stopped and by the time it was restarted they thought she had suffered a stroke. She was then rushed to Regions ICU.

Upon arrival, they did a CT scan and it appeared there was no swelling or clots. At that time, Travis and daughter Victoria were told that she needed to stay sedated for 72 hours in order to prevent more damage- and then Dani would receive an MRI.

During these 3 days, Dani got pneumonia and a fever as a result of the respirator. A tube was placed in her leg up to (near) her heart to provide blood cooling.

On Saturday the 21st, the MRI was performed and showed she had a small stroke. Several small specks appeared in her brain's area that controls arm and leg strength. Victoria and Travis took it as a positive and remained hopeful it was something she could recover from.

Upon arriving the next morning, they were told the cooling line needed to be removed (even though she still had a fever). Upon removal, a clot was discovered and required blood thinners- they also needed to do a CT scan to make sure she didn't have any brain bleeding. After the scan, 4 doctors entered the room and the senior doctor stated that the stroke area spread to most of her brain, and swelling had begun.

The choices were emergency surgery to open her skull and relieve the pressure (or her brain would swell and cut off its blood flow) or let her pass peacefully. Travis asked what her life would be best case if the swelling was relieved, but she still had the severe stroke condition- and was told she would be in a vegetative state and not able to talk. Travis was left with a very tough decision but felt not being able to talk or move would have been the last thing Dani would have wanted- so he made the heart-breaking decision to let her pass peacefully.

During this ordeal, the doctors inquired about Dani being an organ doner. Travis told them that she would be proud to help save someone's life, so the plan was that she would be on life support until the transplant time came since she couldn't breathe on her own.

Victoria and Travis spent their last few hours with her watching Lilo and Stitch, her favorite movie and saying their goodbyes....

After starting the journey back to the cities the next morning, Travis stopped the vehicle half way with him and Victoria in agreement that they couldn't see her in this state again. They wanted to remember her as she was and decided to go back home.

That evening, Travis got a call saying they were going to take her off the respirator, and if she passed in 90 minutes, they would begin the organ harvesting process at 5 a.m. Tuesday morning. Travis watched the hours tick by, and 7:15 a.m. rolled by with no call. Travis then called the hospital and was told the process was rescheduled for 8 a.m. More time passes, and still no call. At 10:45 a.m. Travis called again and was told she is breathing on her own but will pass soon. No harvesting of her organs.

Wednesday: Travis called the next morning and is told her breathing has shallowed. Hours passed. He called in the evening and is told she is brain dead, and the brain stem is keeping her heart going. No response from her pupil check. All hope is lost.

Thursday: Travis got a call saying she needed to be moved to hospice. The move would be complete by 2:30 p.m., and they would call to notify where she is. Victoria and Travis are exhausted from little to no sleep. Just as they are dozing off, the phone rings.

DANI IS AWAKE AND ASKING FOR TRAVIS!!

Somehow this incredibly strong woman beat death! She is not quite herself yet. She remembers things from 15 years ago like they are current time.

She also knows Victoria and Travis are talking and can indicate when they are moving her right arm, leg, etc.

Fast forward to a week later, and Dani is now up and walking with the assistance of a nurse and a walker. Just amazing! It has been recommended that she get Acute Physical Therapy. This will require more time in the cities …. Weeks or Months. Both Travis and Dani have exhausted their personal and vacation time at work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated to help cover medical and travel costs, so Dani can continue to make this miraculous recovery.