As some of you who know me or my older sister are aware, she (Maureen) has been living in central America since our Dad passed away in 2009. She bought land and built an eco-friendly home doing much of the work with her own two hands. She established a rescue shelter for abandoned dogs on the shore of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala that she funds from her own pocket. A couple weeks ago Maureen got in touch and said she wasn't feeling well and needed to get some tests. On Tuesday (Nov 05) at 7:44pm she started a group chat on FB Messenger with her local support (David) in Guatemala, her mother, and myself (her brother). She said her asthma was out of control and wanted to introduce us to David in case she couldn't contact us, or died. 

She struggled that night to breathe and was taken by ambulance to the hospital in Santiago Atitlan. The medical staff determined her condition too severe to treat and she was then transported by ambulance to Demacracia Hospital in Xela (Quetzaltenango). She was sedated and a breathing tube was inserted as her blood O2 levels were critically low. She responded positively to the treatment and was moved into the ICU where she remains currently.

I don't have a medical background and there is a language barrier, so please pardon my rough attempt to relay what David said. Maureen's heart has become enlarged and shifted to the center of her chest putting pressure on her lungs. Coupled with her asthma, she was not getting enough oxygen. I don't why her heart enlarged, or if there will be any permanent damage. She is conscious now, but can't talk due to the breathing tube. I will update and correct this summary once I get more accurate information.

We were informed by the hospital that if she does not have the means to pay, she will be discharged. Neither our mother or I have the funds to travel down to see her, nor the ability to cover the costs to date. The ambulance ride, acute care, and bed in ICU for one night was estimated to be Q60,000 or $10,295CAD. She is expected to be in ICU until Sunday. Based on that plus 4 more days in ICU, post-discharge care, medication, and to reimburse the generous people that are there by her side, I am hoping the goal of $20,000CAD will be adequate. I will update as I get better information.

If you know either my sister or I and can spare any amount at all, our family sincerely appreciates it. Thank you very much for your generosity.