Sophia’s Sweet Sensitive Soul

My name is Turner Tran.

Sister of Sophia Kim Nguyen.

I write this letter, as tears fall down my face..

On Tuesday, July 13,2021 we unexpectedly lost my baby sister while on an annual family vacation to Cancun, Mexico.

In the early morning of Sunday, July 11th she had unfortunately overdosed on Tylenol. She was in severe stomach pain, we rushed her to ER at Hospiten Cancun. The Doctors there took her blood for lab work and was not able to give her an antidotal to reverse the side effects until nearly 5 hours laters. During this time she was suffering in agonizing pain. If anyone is familiar with an overdose, time is crucial. Every min, every hour counts to help and try to save her life. By the time the antidotal was given, she was well past into the 12 hour mark since it was first ingested. Her lab work came back showing that her liver was not in proper condition. The Doctor suggested Sophia but put into ICU for close monitoring. Which we urgently did. I was not able to stay in there with her due to their protocol.

Before I left, I held Sophia’s hand as she told me she loved me and I loved her. She said she was scared and didn’t want to die. I told her she wasn’t going to die and to just listen to what the Doctors tell u and take the medication u need.

I went back to my family and waited for news in hopes that with continued treatment and care, she’d eventually be ok. I was foolish to think so. The next day, Monday, July 12th.. in the early hours I received a call from the ICU Doctor telling me new labs came back and her liver was failing. To prepare an air ambulance to get her back to the United States for a blood transfusion and possible liver transplant.

Every few hours Sophia was in their care, they constantly called me to come in to make a payment or else they’d stop treatment for her. We scrambled to find money/credit cards. $15,000 USD later we had no choice but to try and save her life with an air ambulance that cost another $31,000 USD paid upfront.

As we waited 6 hours for an air ambulance, we were on our way back to California. There was 1 Doctor and 2 Nurses on board with basic equipment to keep her steady. We had to make an emergency landing in San Antonio, Texas because Sophia was struggling to breathe. There she was rushed to North Central Baptist Hospital Pediatric ICU. She had gone into a coma and needed intubation to help her breathe. The Doctors there worked around the clock and treated her from start to finish to stabilize her. Her blood pressure had dropped dangerously low. With the machine resuscitating her every second. She was bleeding out through her nose and mouth. Her liver failed, along with that her kidneys failed.

For anyone that knows us, I have raised her as my own Daughter since the day she was born. We did everything together. I tried to guide her and motivate her through out life, the best I knew how. We struggled for 17 years with the fact on if I was her Mother or Sister. In her final moments, I finally was able to put that aside and be nothing other than her SISTER. What we both have always wanted for each other. She used to often express to me that I was the only person in her life that she trusted.

As I asked the Doctor what her survival rate was.. she had said, “Sophia is near death. She doesn’t have much time left.” I was faced with a difficult decision to end her suffering. The Doctor explained to me there was nothing else they could have done for her.

As I laid beside Sophia, talking to her, hugging her tightly, holding her hand and giving her endless kisses.. saying how sorry I was, that of all times, in the 17 years we shared together… I couldn’t keep her safe and protective her. And to remember that I am the only person she’s ever trusted and any decisions I made for her was always for the better. That includes making a decision to end her suffering in life.

On Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 12:35pm (Central time) 10:35am (Pacific Time) at the age of 17… Sophia took her last breath here on earth, while I laid next to her and shared a blanket because she was so cold.

Words could never express the trauma and horror we had experienced all in the span of just 24 hours.

We frantically tried every route, the best we knew how to try and save her precious life.

I decided to create this account in hopes that we can get as much help as we can to recover and pay for Sophia’s memorial services and loss of income to provide for my family and children. All while trying to take care of our Mother who is blind and disabled. She also suffers from severe depression and anxiety. She has been inconsolable.

Any dollar amount helps us in this desperate time of need.

My sister was a beautiful, sweet soul. She didn’t know any better. She was still learning to cope with life. She didn’t mean for it to end up this way.

Sophia,

I know u were scared and didn’t want to be alone. I hope u know that I was always with u. I loved u with every ounce in my body since the day u were born. U were always mine. I will love u always, until MY last breath.

-Chi

(Sister in Vietnamese)

Donations can also be sent via Venmo or Zelle:

Venmo: @turnertran

Zelle: 7142346245