Carmella Strong
Donation protected
My Niece Carmella has been enduring a lot, and our family is hoping to help my Sister and Brother-In-Law in anyway we possibly can. If you are able to donate anything at all, and/or keep her in your thoughts & prayers, we are truly forever thankful!
Here is her medical journey, which started back on August 22, 2023…
My Sister & BIL noticed random bruises on Carmella and small red dots near her collar bone. They made a pediatrician appointment on August 22nd and took her after school. Within 10 minutes of being there, they were straight to the ER for Bloodwork. Little did they know, she would be admitted & staying there for 5 days.
In those five days, Doctors noticed extremely low platelet levels. They tried IVIG to get her levels up. With the platelets not increasing, they decided to do a Bone Marrow biopsy to rule out any cancers. Thankfully that came back clear. That’s where they then diagnosed her with ITP. Essentially, ITP is when your immune system aggressively & mistakenly attacks your platelets. After 5 days she was discharged and her level was at a 20. (Normal: 140) Carmella was as low as 7 during those five days. Carmella has been on medications/steroids and has been to a blood doctor once a week to check levels. During those 4 weeks they just kept dropping & Doctors changed multiple medications to get her levels up. Due to her very low platelet level, Carmella can not attend school or perform any physical activities. If she hits her head or scrapes her self in any way, she will not clot and then there is an entirely different situation among them.
We are now heading into Week 6. Week 5 (last week) Carmella was admitted back in the hospital with extremely low platelet levels (4) and VERY low Hemoglobin. Last week, she received a blood transfusion. Although a successful blood transfusion, she developed an infection and is on multiple antibiotics. She had a fever of 103 that was going up & down for multiple days and her body was struggling to fight it. In order to receive certain medication, she needed to be fever free for 24 hours. Thankfully, her fever has finally subsided and she has been fever free since Friday evening, 9/29.
She has received platelets and her platelet count has increased, but has a lot more increasing to do. Tomorrow, 10/2, Carmella will be undergoing her 2nd Bone Marrow Biopsy for further examination.
Although my Sister is a SAHM, my BIL has had to take unexpected time off work to support their family. Costs such as ICU stay, multiple bone marrow biopsies, multiple platelet and blood transfusions, heart scans and ultrasounds, (to name a few) are increasing and we are hoping to be able to provide some relief during this extremely difficult time for their family.
Carmella will continue to be in the ICU & when she leaves the Hospital, will be continuing her medical journey. We are hoping to support the Raguz family in anyway possible. Thank you so much for reading Carmella’s story, your support, your thoughts & prayers. I hope to provide updates as they come.
#CARMELLASTRONG
In those five days, Doctors noticed extremely low platelet levels. They tried IVIG to get her levels up. With the platelets not increasing, they decided to do a Bone Marrow biopsy to rule out any cancers. Thankfully that came back clear. That’s where they then diagnosed her with ITP. Essentially, ITP is when your immune system aggressively & mistakenly attacks your platelets. After 5 days she was discharged and her level was at a 20. (Normal: 140) Carmella was as low as 7 during those five days. Carmella has been on medications/steroids and has been to a blood doctor once a week to check levels. During those 4 weeks they just kept dropping & Doctors changed multiple medications to get her levels up. Due to her very low platelet level, Carmella can not attend school or perform any physical activities. If she hits her head or scrapes her self in any way, she will not clot and then there is an entirely different situation among them.
We are now heading into Week 6. Week 5 (last week) Carmella was admitted back in the hospital with extremely low platelet levels (4) and VERY low Hemoglobin. Last week, she received a blood transfusion. Although a successful blood transfusion, she developed an infection and is on multiple antibiotics. She had a fever of 103 that was going up & down for multiple days and her body was struggling to fight it. In order to receive certain medication, she needed to be fever free for 24 hours. Thankfully, her fever has finally subsided and she has been fever free since Friday evening, 9/29.
She has received platelets and her platelet count has increased, but has a lot more increasing to do. Tomorrow, 10/2, Carmella will be undergoing her 2nd Bone Marrow Biopsy for further examination.
Although my Sister is a SAHM, my BIL has had to take unexpected time off work to support their family. Costs such as ICU stay, multiple bone marrow biopsies, multiple platelet and blood transfusions, heart scans and ultrasounds, (to name a few) are increasing and we are hoping to be able to provide some relief during this extremely difficult time for their family.
Carmella will continue to be in the ICU & when she leaves the Hospital, will be continuing her medical journey. We are hoping to support the Raguz family in anyway possible. Thank you so much for reading Carmella’s story, your support, your thoughts & prayers. I hope to provide updates as they come.
#CARMELLASTRONG
Organizer and beneficiary
Jenna Cardamuro
Organizer
West Palm Beach, FL
Jacqui Raguz
Beneficiary