Support the Sievers Family: Fund Wendi's Recovery
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Those of us who got the influenza virus this season, or know someone who did, know it’s a particularly aggressive and miserable strain.
But for Wendi Sievers, it’s been life threatening.
Wendi went to St. Luke’s hospital in Boise on Valentine’s Day, a day she should have been celebrating with her husband, Jason, and three kids. She hadn’t been feeling well. Doctors diagnosed her with influenza, and checked her into the hospital because of the severity of her symptoms.
But Wendi was at a disadvantage as soon as the virus began to take hold.
She’s been living with an autoimmune disease called Common Variable Immune Deficiency, or CVID, which requires monthly infusions of antibodies. People who have it are highly susceptible to infections, particularly in the lungs and sinuses, and they are especially prone to developing pneumonia.
Within a few days, it became clear that the flu virus was threatening her lungs, and she was developing pneumonia. Due to her deteriorating condition, Wendi was moved to the Intensive Care Unit, where she was heavily sedated, then intubated, so that a ventilation machine could help keep her lungs functioning. Due to this medical intervention, Wendi was unconscious and unable to communicate for almost a full week. This caused additional stress for Jason, who suddenly found himself having to make treatment decisions for Wendi without her input or consent. For their three kids, however, it’s been especially difficult. Although they are well taken care of by Jason and their grandmas at the moment, not being able to see, touch or talk to their mom is something they’re just not used to. Needless to say, it’s been rough.
After two straight weeks in intensive care, medical bills are racking up.
Thankfully, Wendi was moved out of intensive care on March 5. However, even after she is able to go home, she will most likely need physical therapy to regain her strength, particularly her lung strength. Wendi’s CVID will likely extend this recovery and continue to drive up the family’s medical costs. At a minimum, the Sievers family is facing at least five weeks of lost wages.
Wendi’s new insurance plan benefits through Trader Joe’s went into effect in early February, just a couple of weeks before her hospitalization. Since it’s a new plan, the Sievers aren’t sure how much of their medical costs will be covered. As you can imagine, Jason has been too busy to delve into the details of the new insurance benefits. However, some of Wendi’s lost wages could be reimbursed through her short-term disability insurance and Jason is relieved at how accommodating and helpful the financial office has been at St. Luke’s so far.
Still, he can’t help but wonder just how much this medical emergency and extended stay in ICU will cost his family.
If you can, please help us relieve some of the financial burden for Jason and Wendi, so they can focus on her recovery, not the bills.
But for Wendi Sievers, it’s been life threatening.
Wendi went to St. Luke’s hospital in Boise on Valentine’s Day, a day she should have been celebrating with her husband, Jason, and three kids. She hadn’t been feeling well. Doctors diagnosed her with influenza, and checked her into the hospital because of the severity of her symptoms.
But Wendi was at a disadvantage as soon as the virus began to take hold.
She’s been living with an autoimmune disease called Common Variable Immune Deficiency, or CVID, which requires monthly infusions of antibodies. People who have it are highly susceptible to infections, particularly in the lungs and sinuses, and they are especially prone to developing pneumonia.
Within a few days, it became clear that the flu virus was threatening her lungs, and she was developing pneumonia. Due to her deteriorating condition, Wendi was moved to the Intensive Care Unit, where she was heavily sedated, then intubated, so that a ventilation machine could help keep her lungs functioning. Due to this medical intervention, Wendi was unconscious and unable to communicate for almost a full week. This caused additional stress for Jason, who suddenly found himself having to make treatment decisions for Wendi without her input or consent. For their three kids, however, it’s been especially difficult. Although they are well taken care of by Jason and their grandmas at the moment, not being able to see, touch or talk to their mom is something they’re just not used to. Needless to say, it’s been rough.
After two straight weeks in intensive care, medical bills are racking up.
Thankfully, Wendi was moved out of intensive care on March 5. However, even after she is able to go home, she will most likely need physical therapy to regain her strength, particularly her lung strength. Wendi’s CVID will likely extend this recovery and continue to drive up the family’s medical costs. At a minimum, the Sievers family is facing at least five weeks of lost wages.
Wendi’s new insurance plan benefits through Trader Joe’s went into effect in early February, just a couple of weeks before her hospitalization. Since it’s a new plan, the Sievers aren’t sure how much of their medical costs will be covered. As you can imagine, Jason has been too busy to delve into the details of the new insurance benefits. However, some of Wendi’s lost wages could be reimbursed through her short-term disability insurance and Jason is relieved at how accommodating and helpful the financial office has been at St. Luke’s so far.
Still, he can’t help but wonder just how much this medical emergency and extended stay in ICU will cost his family.
If you can, please help us relieve some of the financial burden for Jason and Wendi, so they can focus on her recovery, not the bills.
Organizer and beneficiary
Shannon Reagan
Organizer
Boise, ID
Jason Sievers
Beneficiary