Emma Kate Ashby Medical Expense Fund

My name is Dorre Speer and my sweet niece, Emma Kate Ashby (age 10), was admitted to Pediatric ICU last Friday in Temple, Texas. She was diagnosed with life threatening bacterial meningitis. Her infectious disease doctor found the infection began in her sinuses. It is extremely rare for this bacteria to lead to meningitis and her doctors say she won the medical lottery. She is estimated to be in the hospital for approximately 14 days and on heavy IV antibiotics 21-28 days to fight the bacteria. She has been so incredibly brave and strong fighting this.

She underwent a successful surgery on May 4th, to clear the sinuses in her nose and ears; in the attempt to target the source of the bacteria to reduce inflammation near her brain. This will hopefully allow for the IV antibiotics to begin working at their fullest. She also has hearing loss that they are continuing to treat via tubes placed in her ears. Please join us in praying that the damage is not permanent and no further hearing loss occurs. We will know more as time progresses.

My sister and brother-in-law, Ashley and Joe, and our combined families have received so much love and support this last week, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you all. God is with Emma, and we just ask for continued prayers as our sweet little girl begins this journey of healing. She has many doctors and a long recovery ahead in the hospital and once she is home.

So many people are reaching out and asking how they can help via GoFundMe, so I set this up for them. This is the simplest way to help bless their family with a medical fund for Emma, if you feel called. This will be a long road to recovery with many months of doctors, home treatments, OT/PT therapy, and more after they are released from the hospital.

Prayer in number is powerful and we ask for all we can get!! Prayers for the antibiotics to continue to fight for Emma’s non existent immune system, hearing to be fully restored, her to have the strength to continue to fight, and her anxiety in the hospital to be calmed. This has been so much on her.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity, outpouring of love and kindness, and prayers for Emma and our family.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you,
I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10