Support Julie's Road to Recovery After Coma

Dear Friends, Family & Strangers,

I'm writing on behalf of Julie "Q" Khieu and her family. If you know Julie, or any of her family, it doesn't take an introduction to know how genuinely kind and giving they all are.

I first met Q when a mutual friend invited me to her 25th birthday party two decades ago. This created a longstanding inside joke and instant friendship! Immediately I was drawn to her warm and welcoming energy, not to mention her humor and laugh. Over the years we grew closer as friends, and the more I observed or learned of her story, the more my respect and admiration for her grew.

Julie Khieu's greatness is forged from overcoming obstacles in her life. Starting at a very young age, Julie and her family had to flee the only home they'd ever known, in pursuit of their safety and freedom. This journey had them fearing for their lives as they navigated camps and crossed continents. Fortunately for them and all of us, they survived and eventually settled with family in Northeast Ohio. It goes without saying how the Khieu family are engaged and supportive members of our Northern Ohio communities - from North Royalton to Put-In-Bay. Their family farm gives back to the community in many ways from providing fresh and local produce, to a beautiful home and lake with community space and lodging. Julie went on to receive an education while becoming a single mother and starting a career. Despite the initial challenges, Julie rose to her greatness and thrives. She raised a son, now a young man, Regan, who she adores. She's established a successful career and life for herself that we are all very proud of!

Even still, life has ways of throwing curveballs that we can't see coming. It is on this note that Julie desires to share her story and update.

From Julie:

"In April 2024 I felt sick while traveling and working in Boston. It became serious enough that one night in my hotel room, I couldn’t breathe, so I called 911. All I remember is getting placed onto the stretcher and after that nothing...

I was diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia and I fell into a lengthy coma.

Shortly after, my organs started to fail, including my kidneys and lungs. I was hooked up to all kinds of machines to keep me breathing and alive. Given that I was in another state, they weren't entirely sure of all my personal details at first like my next of kin. After managing to find my family, they urgently advised them to travel to Boston as soon as possible as Doctors feared I wasn't going to make it. Due to a lack of oxygen from my lungs failing, and despite being on ECMO, I suffered a stroke on my left side.

I survived, and finally woke up from the coma in July 2024! I was then able to get a medical evac flight and transferred to an ICU unit in Cleveland, where I remained until October 2024.

I had come off dialysis, but I still had a tracheotomy and remained on a ventilator, as well as a feeding tube, until November 2024. I was completely immobile and bedridden, but was able to move to a skilled care and rehabilitation center where my recovery journey began.

My recovery process is very long and slow, but I am able to talk and eat again. I am still working with physical and occupational therapy each day to try and get my life back."

These are just the first steps for Q to get her life back. During this entire process, medical bills have been adding up creating more stress. The medical evac flight alone was $80,000! As we know, skilled rehab care facilities cost an enormous amount every month. These are just two expenses out of many incurred and to come. On top of medical bills, there are still regular monthly bills being paid, etc.

We kindly ask for your support for Julie's recovery after illness and coma. Every dime raised will support this cause and ensure Julie assimilates back into her normal life with ease and without prohibitive burdens.

On behalf of Julie and the Khieu family, thank you kindly for your consideration and support. Julie is truly humbled and grateful for your support and kindness. Thank you.