Support Anna Nielsen's Fight for Life & Full Recovery

October 23, 2024: A week and a half ago, our lives turned completely upside down when our sweet 4 year old niece, Anna Nielsen, was diagnosed with STEC-HUS (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome) for which the only treatment is managing and reviving organs if/when they shut down. She was taken by ambulance after several trips to Urgent Care and ERs and is currently in Septic Shock fighting for her life in the Pediatric ICU at Primary Children’s in Salt Lake City.

Our brave, resilient, and ever-optimistic Anna is currently on the following life-supporting devices: intubation due to respiratory failure, continuous dialysis due to kidney failure, has several tubes to assist with offloading liters of fluid buildup in her body as well as intestinal shut down, and is receiving blood transfusions and multiple medications to fight the infections and wait for her body to heal. Needless to say, the costs for all of this treatment will be overwhelming.

If you are able to contribute in any way to help with her medical expenses and ongoing care, we would be so very grateful. No amount is too small, and every bit of support will go toward helping Anna on her journey to full recovery. If you are willing to share this GoFundMe with others to help sweet Anna, we would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you so much for your friendship and love; we could not do this without you. We know our Heavenly Parents are aware of and looking out for our family during this difficult time, and we appreciate how you have been Their hands on earth to our family; there are truly angels among us.

UPDATE — December 12, 2024:

Anna was able to continue her fight at home after 6 weeks in the hospital, 4 of those weeks being in the Pediatric ICU. Anna now continues to fight each day facing the following persisting issues: a remaining blood clot, swallowing problems, significant stomach pain, high blood pressure, anemia, tachycardia, on-and-off edema, tooth decay, hair loss, nausea, exhaustion, and general inflammation. She is working to regain the following: full mobility, lost weight, some nerve sensation. Since being home, Anna has been on several medications and had nearly 10 trips to the doctor and/or hospital to perform tests, determine her state of being, and continue to assist her body on her journey to full recovery. She got the flu but thankfully did not need to be readmitted to the hospital. We are so grateful to now be in the ongoing care phase of this fight and so appreciate all of the love and support we have received for our girl.

We are beyond grateful Anna is alive and that with the help of God, doctors, the miracle of the human body, and all of your love, support, and faith she is coming back more to herself each day! We have seen more smiles from her in the last 2 days than we have in the last 8 weeks combined, and we are ecstatic and hopeful for that to only continue. Thank you, again, for your continued prayers, love, and support in all forms! God bless!