Support Kelsey’s Recovery

5/1 Update from Kelsey ❤️‍

After 1 month in the ICU, 2 months in acute rehab and what will be 4 months in sub acute rehab, I am finally coming home on Friday, May 23rd! This journey has been a brutal battle both physically and mentally. I am so proud of my perseverance and progress so far. It all started with a stiff neck that led to an MRI which discovered an abscessed infection inside my cervical spine. After my laminectomy surgery at Albany Medical Center I was paralyzed from the neck down. During my time in the ICU there I slowly started to be able to move my hands and feet. I overcame multiple rounds of pneumonia, persistent fevers, a partially collapsed lung and endless other complications. 

Once I was stable I was sent to Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital and was just starting to be able to lift one arm. I worked hard and reached many milestones through Physical, Occupational & Speech therapy. I was able to wean off of the ventilator and have my trach and feeding tube removed. I had to relearn how to eat, drink, swallow, talk, write, breathe on my own, sit upright, feed myself, dress myself, and through intensive physical therapy, I started taking my first steps. 

Physical & occupational therapy have continued at Briarcliff Manor Center for Rehabilitation with a heavy emphasis on improving my strength, endurance and independence. With the assistance of a walker I can now stand and take a very limited number of steps. I am still considered wheelchair dependent which has been the most difficult and heartbreaking obstacle for me to face. I continue to grieve for my dog walking days, when I was walking freely and able to do what I love most. I am immensely grateful for the progress I’ve made as spinal cord injuries are complicated and many are not so lucky. But I can’t say that I still don’t wish that this was all just a bad dream I could wake up from. 

The original estimate was that I would be out of work for 1-2 months. It has already been 6 months, going on 7, with only a dim light at the end of the tunnel. I plan to continue outpatient therapy after I discharge and hope to regain more function. I am unsure what the future holds but I plan to continue to work hard to reach my full potential for recovery. The support of my friends and family is what has carried me through the most difficult time in my life. Thank you for being here, thank you for reminding me that I am loved and supported, thank you for helping me survive. With so much love,  ❤️ Kels

The Caring Bridge set up by Carter provides up to date information on Kelsey’s recovery.

https://www.caringbridge.org/site/b750a2b0-9e23-11ef-ad39-cb18a179c5c9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=webm&utm_content=copylink_sitestart

11/8 Update from Kelsey’s sister Carter:

Kelsey continues to fight in the Albany Med ICU and is expected to be there for about another two weeks before being moved to a neurology unit.

Two weeks ago, Kelsey began having neck pain and visited both the Emergency Room and Urgent Care several times - almost daily as her pain progressed. She was treated with steroids, muscle relaxers, and pain killers which would ease her pain enough to send her home, however once these would wear off Kelsey would find herself in even more severe pain and return to the Emergency Room, sometimes waiting over six hours to be seen. This back-and-forth went on for about a week.

On Halloween night (10/31) Kelsey once again returned to the Emergency Room and an MRI was performed. A lesion was seen on Kelsey’s spine. She was immediately transferred to Albany Med and went into surgery the next morning (11/1). Once the doctors were inside, they realized it was a severe infection of her spinal cord - something rare. A culture showed the source as strep.

Questions began about how this could have happened. An echocardiogram showed that Kelsey also has a small hole in her heart (called a PFO) that she was most likely born with. When the strep infection was in her body, this hole allowed it to reach her spinal cord. A normal, healthy heart would have filtered it out or sent it elsewhere in the body (ex. lungs) which would have been less severe.

In addition, Kelsey developed pneumonia in the hospital which was making it hard for her to breathe. She is currently on a ventilator for this and therefore nonverbal.

Due to how high up the lesion/infection was on her spine - Kelsey currently does not have use of her voice, hands, arms, or legs. She is conscious and can shake her head yes or no.

Right now they are working on pain management, fighting the pneumonia, and once she is stable, repairing the hole in her heart.

Rehab and physical therapy will play a huge role in her recovery and determine her future. However, Kelsey is strong, and we all know she can do this.

She feels your love and support. I have been playing her your video messages, and showing her pictures of your dogs. We have slowly started allowing visitors as she is up for it, and hope to add even more in the coming weeks. She does get fatigued easily.

Her home, dogs, business, etc. are being managed by a team of family and friends. Her husband, Mom, sisters, and best friends have been by her side daily, ensuring she stays up to date on her skin care routine - something she takes very seriously. She is not afraid to give us an eye roll if we apply a product wrong or in the wrong order.

Please continue to pray for her recovery. She has a long road ahead of her but the road is filled with friends, family, and loved ones cheering her on.

If you’re not already aware, Kelsey had emergency spinal surgery over the weekend to remove an infection.

She is currently recovering in the ICU where she is battling pneumonia, and working on regaining feeling in her arms and legs.

Kelsey runs her own business, Greenfield Tails and Trails, where she walks, boards, and trains dogs. This fundraiser is to help Kelsey through the next few months of recovery while being out of work. As one of her clients, I can tell you firsthand that Kelsey puts more heart and dedication into her job than most people I know. She is also one of the most selfless and caring individuals I know, and is the first to help where needed. We need to lift her up in the same way!

In typical Kelsey fashion, her biggest concern right now is getting healthy enough to be back with her dogs. Any amount you are able to donate to help her focus on her recovery is greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately, she can’t function enough to use her phone yet, so she may not see any messages you send right now.