Emergency-so unexpected! Melinda Murray-My Sister

I am definitely not one to make a “go fund me” or get personal on social media but…….

My nephew received a call at 0100 Saturday 10/16 from Union Hospital in Terre Haute IN from an ICU nurse asking him what his moms wishes were! Last anyone heard was that she (my sister) went into surgery for an appendectomy. Apparently once in OR, her appendix was found to be ruptured, excessive adhesions were found throughout her abdomen (yes she has had some abdominal surgeries in past) and it was extremely difficult to remove the appendix. In fact it was necessary to also do a bowel resection. She lost a lot of blood, hypotensive and ended up in ICU with systolic pressures in the 60’s! So that warranted a call from ICU since they were having trouble getting her pressures above 70 systolic. She was maxed out on Levo, they added Vasopressin and multiple units of PRBC’s, FFP. She was oozing. Hgb had been <6.

I flew out immediately, getting here at 0100 Sunday morning. The nurses here allowed me to stay in her room overnight. She remained intubated and weaning from drips all day Sunday and was extubated Monday 10/18 at 1300. Once extubated, she did not respond to even the simplest commands, eyes would follow you around room but no emotion, flat affect no speech. CT scan negative, EEG placed and it was found she was having continuous small focal seizures.

Currently, 10/20, she remains on EEG. There is no change in neuro status, on an anticonvulsant but focal seizures continue.

I am of course extending my stay here in IN. In saying that my expenses are accumulating as well (hotel, car rental, meals, flight changes).

My sister lives with a family friend in a small trailer. She does not have enough space for me and does not have a vehicle for me to utilize. I am not sure how long I will be out here but I know I can’t leave until she is settled in a rehab which may take another week or two. Her son has to return Friday 10/22 so he can return to his newly acquired job. My other sister is coming in from Sacramento tomorrow 10/21 and will be here until Sunday 10/24.

I, of course have a FT job at Mesa Community College in AZ but am unable to work “extra” to cover these expenses on top of my home expenses due to being here. My wonderful husband is on the road in his big rig doing what he can as he always does but I was honestly NOT prepared for this emergency.

So if any of my FB friends would like to contribute so I can stay here as long as I can to ensure my sister is settled in rehab, I would appreciate it! Feel free to share post as well. I will be paying this forward for years to come.

Thank you