Hi Everyone!

My sister, November, gave birth to her 4th child, Fern, in March of 2024. November and her family live in the small town, but amazing community of Tillamook, Oregon. She was born and raised in Tillamook and is a 6th grade teacher at the upper-elementary school there as well.

During the recent delivery of her youngest child, there were many complications. November ended up losing 12 bodies worth of blood— exhausting all the resources in the small hospital. From there, November was to be life-flighted to Providence St. Vincent’s Hospital. The weather was un-permitting for the helicopter to land there, so they landed in Aurora, Or. From Aurora, November was ambulanced to the Providence St. Vincent in Portland. During the ambulance ride, November had to be resuscitated multiple times. As she arrived to the hospital, November went “code-blue.”

November was in the hospital for over 4 weeks, however she still has a long road of healing to go. During the traumatic birth, November sustained a traumatic brain injury from the blood loss and lost all kidney function. The recovery road has resulted in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Since the kidney dialysis center at the Tillamook Hospital closed within the same month November needed it, she has been commuting to Forest Grove (45 min away) 3 days a week to receive hemodialysis. She is currently doing the tests and taking the steps to get onto the kidney transplant list.

Until November is able to get a kidney transplant, which is on average a 3-5 year wait, this commute will be necessary for her to live.

November loves her family, community, and her workplace dearly. This has been a difficult situation for all who are involved. However— November is strong willed and determined to not allow this to set her back. Teaching at East Elementary is her dream job and she is set on returning in the Fall; using her remaining maternity, disability, sick, and vacation leave on her dialysis days. The days she’s been home during these recent months have resulted in many appointments and other medical visits. Although November has insurance through the school district, her family is anticipating the medical bills to be coming in soon.

Thank you for your consideration and support during this unprecedented journey. Please help bless this young family!