Medical repatriation to NZ for our grandma
Donation protected
It is now 23nd January 2024 & day 63
On the 27th Dec my mum was moved to the Townsville Rehabilitation Unit.
She is still unable to speak in sentences, feed herself or walk without assistance. If you ask her a question she will respond with either no expression or a near mute no or a yes with raised brows and nod.
After discussions with her health care team and family we've decided that what is best for her wellbeing and recovery is to return to a health facility in Auckland where she is surrounded by loved ones daily. Atm its just been tag teamed with either myself or an aunt as none of us live in Townsville.
I asked her if she wants to recover in Nz and she gave a big nod and raised brows. This makes sense. Nz is her safe place, she wouldnt want her grannies seeing her in such a dire, vulnerable state.
Please note, as she had three separate flight bookings with three different insurance covers, NONE cover this misfortune as their end dates were for the duration of each booked flight block, so all costs for her return must be covered by other means.
The NZ consulate are unable to assist in any way and advised that other NZ citizens in our situation have had success with crowdfunding. Indicative figures for a medevac flight from Townsville to Auckland could be up to $100k depending on her medical needs.
Considering my mum's inability at the moment to swallow automatically, a nurse-accompanied flight could be regarded as a highly risky option but an option if deemed safe enough. If a nurse accompanied flight is approved it will be substantially cheaper. It will involve a transfer from Townsville to Bris hosp overnight then Bris to Auckland.
My mum is high risk of seizures. She suffered a seizure when she was transferred from the hospital to the rehab unit and had to be re-admitted briefly to the medical ward.
For those new to this predicament my mum travelled Auck - Melb on the 9th November for my cousins wedding. She then detoured to us in Cloncurry on the 17th November. Fatigued which we put down to a long flight then drive to get to us we let her rest. By Tues 22nd Nov she was in Cloncurry hosp, Wed 23rd Nov in Mt Isa ICU then Thurs 24th in an induced coma in Townsville ICU.
She had a UTI that turned into delirium then sepsis, a cold that turned into pneumonia and as she was/is immunocompromised she contracted HSV encephalitis and she is deemed medically incapacitated. She is unable to feed herself, stand or walk without assistance and is a mere shell of the independent woman she was
Herpes Simplex Virus encephalitis is pretty much the 'don't kiss my baby' virus. As she is immunocompromised a 'simple' cold sore bug has infected the left side of her brain with catastrophic consequences.
Grateful she is still earth side, however to thrive and recover I truly believe being in Nz is where this will happen. Australia won't deny her medical treatment however after a certain period there will be daily costs here, on top of a family support persons accomodation.
Her recovery will be long, arduous and slow, but there is progress in every day. For that we are thankful!!
I am so so sorry that this has happened to my mum. I am so grateful to have such a supportive husband, family, friends, Principal, colleagues and community. It's been a wild turn of events.
I am at a complete loss as to where to now. I cannot access any of her bank accounts/super without Power of Attorney. This is in the process and will take time as it must go before a judge in Nz as she is deemed incapacitated.
I would absolutely love for my mum to be back in Nz by the end of Feb the latest, sooner than later so her village can just cover her in absolute love & light and she can heal. Townsville Hospital and the Rehabilitation Unit staff in all departments have been amazing!
She thrives in the company of family and familiar faces! Her sad eyes just light up. I am just so utterly sad for her, her grannies and at a complete loss.
Literally, Jesus take the wheel
She is still unable to speak in sentences, feed herself or walk without assistance. If you ask her a question she will respond with either no expression or a near mute no or a yes with raised brows and nod.
After discussions with her health care team and family we've decided that what is best for her wellbeing and recovery is to return to a health facility in Auckland where she is surrounded by loved ones daily. Atm its just been tag teamed with either myself or an aunt as none of us live in Townsville.
I asked her if she wants to recover in Nz and she gave a big nod and raised brows. This makes sense. Nz is her safe place, she wouldnt want her grannies seeing her in such a dire, vulnerable state.
Please note, as she had three separate flight bookings with three different insurance covers, NONE cover this misfortune as their end dates were for the duration of each booked flight block, so all costs for her return must be covered by other means.
The NZ consulate are unable to assist in any way and advised that other NZ citizens in our situation have had success with crowdfunding. Indicative figures for a medevac flight from Townsville to Auckland could be up to $100k depending on her medical needs.
Considering my mum's inability at the moment to swallow automatically, a nurse-accompanied flight could be regarded as a highly risky option but an option if deemed safe enough. If a nurse accompanied flight is approved it will be substantially cheaper. It will involve a transfer from Townsville to Bris hosp overnight then Bris to Auckland.
My mum is high risk of seizures. She suffered a seizure when she was transferred from the hospital to the rehab unit and had to be re-admitted briefly to the medical ward.
For those new to this predicament my mum travelled Auck - Melb on the 9th November for my cousins wedding. She then detoured to us in Cloncurry on the 17th November. Fatigued which we put down to a long flight then drive to get to us we let her rest. By Tues 22nd Nov she was in Cloncurry hosp, Wed 23rd Nov in Mt Isa ICU then Thurs 24th in an induced coma in Townsville ICU.
She had a UTI that turned into delirium then sepsis, a cold that turned into pneumonia and as she was/is immunocompromised she contracted HSV encephalitis and she is deemed medically incapacitated. She is unable to feed herself, stand or walk without assistance and is a mere shell of the independent woman she was
Herpes Simplex Virus encephalitis is pretty much the 'don't kiss my baby' virus. As she is immunocompromised a 'simple' cold sore bug has infected the left side of her brain with catastrophic consequences.
Grateful she is still earth side, however to thrive and recover I truly believe being in Nz is where this will happen. Australia won't deny her medical treatment however after a certain period there will be daily costs here, on top of a family support persons accomodation.
Her recovery will be long, arduous and slow, but there is progress in every day. For that we are thankful!!
I am so so sorry that this has happened to my mum. I am so grateful to have such a supportive husband, family, friends, Principal, colleagues and community. It's been a wild turn of events.
I am at a complete loss as to where to now. I cannot access any of her bank accounts/super without Power of Attorney. This is in the process and will take time as it must go before a judge in Nz as she is deemed incapacitated.
I would absolutely love for my mum to be back in Nz by the end of Feb the latest, sooner than later so her village can just cover her in absolute love & light and she can heal. Townsville Hospital and the Rehabilitation Unit staff in all departments have been amazing!
She thrives in the company of family and familiar faces! Her sad eyes just light up. I am just so utterly sad for her, her grannies and at a complete loss.
Literally, Jesus take the wheel
Organiser
Sepa Sala
Organiser
Mount Louisa, QLD