Safe and Speedy Seizure Recovery for Evalia Rivas
Donation protected
Medical Fundraiser for Evalia Rivas
To give support to Evalia and her family, while Evalia is working hard to recover from her recent health issues. We appreciate any and all assistance that you can provide. Any amount will help so much!
Her Story
Evalia Rivas is the love of my life and the loving mother of two beautiful children, Johnathan (age 9) and Isabella (age 4), as well as the loving step-mother of 3 older children, Ryan, Tia and Reina. She is the rock of our family. Evalia has endured and battled several health issues in the past 4 years: a prolapsed uterus, removal of an ovary, and removal of a lump from her right breast, just to name a few.
On the morning of June 29th, Evalia began having difficulty breathing and stroke-like symptoms. She had stiffness in her neck, which quickly progressed to numbness in her tongue, right arm, and leg. 911 was called and Evalia was taken by ambulance to St. Jude Medical Center. Because of the current COVID-19 policies she was there alone, without any family or friends, when she had a series of seizures.
She remained hospitalized for several days, and continued to have seizures, so her doctor prescribed a daily medication. Evalia appeared to be improving and after some additional testing and without any formal findings was discharged, on July 2nd. She still had some numbness, weakness, and problems with her speech, but was anxious to get home to her children. We were extremely hopeful!
However, on July 4th, while at home, Evalia had another seizure and all the same symptoms as before returned. The neurologist increased her medication and started home health physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. She was now using a walker for mobility and safety and requiring assistance for all her daily activities.
We had a few days of relief, when again on July 8th, she had another severe attack and 911 was called again. She was taken to St. Jude Medical Center and this time was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. They started intensive in-patient therapies with her and three days later, after a 24 hour period free from seizures, Evalia was discharged with a diagnosis of Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack with Seizures. She resumed her home health therapies and was diligent in performance of her home exercises.
We had another few days of relief, when again on July 17th, Evalia had back-to-back seizures with stroke-like symptoms and 911 was called again. She was transported to St. Jude Medical Center. A repeat CT scan was normal and Evalia was discharged home.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
Since coming home, Evalia feels a little better with less weakness and improved speech; but still needs home therapies, a walker for mobility, and assistance with her daily activities. She is now a fall risk and cannot be left alone; in fear she may lose her balance and fall. Even a simple trip to the bathroom requires assistance for her safety. We purchased medical equipment (bath chair, raised toilet seat, railings, etc.) to adapt our home for Evalia’s needs and these items were not covered by insurance.
HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED
Because I was laid off from work due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 30th of this year, the savings have been exhausted and the bills are still coming. We need help now with paying for Evalia’s medical bills (especially the 911 Emergency Response Fee charged by the City of La Habra that is not covered by insurance), durable medical equipment, in-home therapies to help regain her strength, endurance and coordination, and household expenses. Even if I were to find work, due to her fragile health status, I need to remain home to care for her, as well as our two children.
THE PROGNOSIS
So much is unknown right now, as far as Evalia’s long term prognosis. Overall, her progress has been slow, but positive. Best case, Evalia will fully recover. Worst case, Evalia will continue to need assistance for activities of daily living and her safety.
We are praying her seizures stop and she can regain her strength, but we need to wait and see.
To give support to Evalia and her family, while Evalia is working hard to recover from her recent health issues. We appreciate any and all assistance that you can provide. Any amount will help so much!
Her Story
Evalia Rivas is the love of my life and the loving mother of two beautiful children, Johnathan (age 9) and Isabella (age 4), as well as the loving step-mother of 3 older children, Ryan, Tia and Reina. She is the rock of our family. Evalia has endured and battled several health issues in the past 4 years: a prolapsed uterus, removal of an ovary, and removal of a lump from her right breast, just to name a few.
On the morning of June 29th, Evalia began having difficulty breathing and stroke-like symptoms. She had stiffness in her neck, which quickly progressed to numbness in her tongue, right arm, and leg. 911 was called and Evalia was taken by ambulance to St. Jude Medical Center. Because of the current COVID-19 policies she was there alone, without any family or friends, when she had a series of seizures.
She remained hospitalized for several days, and continued to have seizures, so her doctor prescribed a daily medication. Evalia appeared to be improving and after some additional testing and without any formal findings was discharged, on July 2nd. She still had some numbness, weakness, and problems with her speech, but was anxious to get home to her children. We were extremely hopeful!
However, on July 4th, while at home, Evalia had another seizure and all the same symptoms as before returned. The neurologist increased her medication and started home health physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. She was now using a walker for mobility and safety and requiring assistance for all her daily activities.
We had a few days of relief, when again on July 8th, she had another severe attack and 911 was called again. She was taken to St. Jude Medical Center and this time was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. They started intensive in-patient therapies with her and three days later, after a 24 hour period free from seizures, Evalia was discharged with a diagnosis of Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack with Seizures. She resumed her home health therapies and was diligent in performance of her home exercises.
We had another few days of relief, when again on July 17th, Evalia had back-to-back seizures with stroke-like symptoms and 911 was called again. She was transported to St. Jude Medical Center. A repeat CT scan was normal and Evalia was discharged home.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
Since coming home, Evalia feels a little better with less weakness and improved speech; but still needs home therapies, a walker for mobility, and assistance with her daily activities. She is now a fall risk and cannot be left alone; in fear she may lose her balance and fall. Even a simple trip to the bathroom requires assistance for her safety. We purchased medical equipment (bath chair, raised toilet seat, railings, etc.) to adapt our home for Evalia’s needs and these items were not covered by insurance.
HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED
Because I was laid off from work due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 30th of this year, the savings have been exhausted and the bills are still coming. We need help now with paying for Evalia’s medical bills (especially the 911 Emergency Response Fee charged by the City of La Habra that is not covered by insurance), durable medical equipment, in-home therapies to help regain her strength, endurance and coordination, and household expenses. Even if I were to find work, due to her fragile health status, I need to remain home to care for her, as well as our two children.
THE PROGNOSIS
So much is unknown right now, as far as Evalia’s long term prognosis. Overall, her progress has been slow, but positive. Best case, Evalia will fully recover. Worst case, Evalia will continue to need assistance for activities of daily living and her safety.
We are praying her seizures stop and she can regain her strength, but we need to wait and see.
Organizer
Aaron Yap
Organizer
La Habra, CA