Team Meredith

Before Christmas Meredith became ill with what her family thought was the flu. On December 28 she was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with sepsis. She went into septic shock and within hours was on life support.  At one point the ventilator wasn't enough and she required Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, to sustain her. Luckily one of two hospitals in the state with this technology was local, so she and her family have been able to stay close. For ten more days, Meredith fought hard until the infection was no longer critical, but she still needed life support. She is just now backing down to less aggressive measures, but will require long term medical care and therapy for an unknown length of time.

The rule of thumb for this type of illness is one week of physical and other therapies for every day of hospitalization. Right now we are at 16 days and counting. The financial cost above insurance for the hospital stay alone will be extraordinary. Months and month of therapies and medications will add to that burden.

Meredith is a full time college student who also works part time. She supports herself and works hard. These things will have to be put on hold while she heals and fights to come back. She's fighting so hard and her parents and brothers are fighting hard with her.  Her three aunts, Barbara, Petey, and Jami want to be able to help her in other ways. So we are asking that if you have a little extra to share, please help out this wonderful young lady. All monies raised will go towards medical bills and allowing Meredith to remain independent while she finishes her medical treatment.  Her father, William "Bill" Petrus, will be making the withdrawels.