Healing and Peace for Julie and Tyler
Donation protected
To all who love Tyler and Julie Hale (and there are many), we need your help. As many of you know, two weeks ago, our dear friends suffered a great physical and emotional tragedy.
On February 10, at 12 weeks pregnant, Julie began experiencing what she thought might be severe flu symptoms. At the time, Tyler was traveling for work in Washington, D.C. As the pain intensified and she found herself struggling to breathe, Julie barely made it to the phone to call 911. This call saved her life.
Paramedics responded quickly and drove Julie by ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center near their home in Portland, Oregon. Trauma doctors discovered massive internal bleeding in Julie’s abdominal cavity and rushed her into emergency surgery. At one point, as many as 30 people were working to stop the bleeding and keep her alive.
The situation was beyond critical—Julie’s life was on the line. The trauma surgeons were not even sure if she’d make it from the emergency department to the operating room. The hospital called Tyler in the middle of the night to say that Julie might not live through this. Unable to do anything, Tyler called their families who helped get him on the first flight back.
Once in surgery, the doctors were astounded with the amount of blood in Julie’s abdomen as they struggled to find the source of the bleeding. Julie was losing so much blood that surgeons were forced to drill a hole in her right tibia to immediately administer massive blood transfusions keeping her brain and body alive. Julie received 17 packets of blood, multiple units of plasma and several transfusions of emergency platelets...enough to replace a normal blood supply two times over.
Due to the intensity of the blood transfusions, Julie developed compartment syndrome in her right leg, a rare and life-threatening condition when dangerously high blood pressure impedes blood flow to and from affected tissue. To save her leg and her life, fast-acting surgeons made two long and deep cuts into her leg to relieve the pressure and restore blood flow.
By the time the surgeons found and stopped the source of the bleeding, there was tragically no way to save Julie and Tyler’s baby. The doctors had no choice but to conduct an emergency full hysterectomy, leaving Julie with an incision stretching from her breastbone to her pelvis that needed 36 staples and countless internal stitches to close.
Nearly two weeks after surgery, Julie is still recovering in the hospital.
Shortly after doctors saved her life and while still recovering in the ICU, Julie underwent a second surgery to close the smaller of her two leg wounds. The larger wound is still open and being treated with a wound vac to promote healing and protect against infection. The wound vac must be changed every other day and doing so is an extremely painful procedure. A skin graft will be required to close the large wound, which doctors have warned will be even more painful than the wound itself.
The staples have now been removed from Julie’s abdomen, but she is still experiencing lots of pain from the traumatic life-saving measures. Her recovery will be long, painful, and require lots of physical therapy.
The Backstory
We are overwhelmingly grateful Julie is still alive, but deeply saddened by the loss of their baby. Each day brings a complex mix of emotions as Julie and Tyler mourn their young child and their future ability to conceive.
This tragic episode is heartbreaking and brings a new finality to a seven-year journey with infertility.
Over the years, Julie and Tyler have gracefully navigated the complex and expensive world of infertility, an all-consuming and at times crippling trial. And yet, throughout the entire process, they have remained immensely positive and hopeful.
After numerous procedures, three surgeries for Julie, and multiple IVF cycles, they miraculously became pregnant. It was a time of joy and celebration shared with family and close friends as they anticipated becoming parents.
Given all they have been through and fought for to conceive, the tragic loss of their baby and any hopes of experiencing the joy that comes with carrying new life into the world creates a deep emotional scar.
Our Wish for Julie and Tyler
There is no other way to say it—the fact Julie is alive is cause for celebration and joy. She is incredibly strong and has handled this experience with grace and determination. Tyler is the perfect partner to support Julie during this tragedy. Their journey with infertility has always been something they tackled as a team; this latest and most devastating loss is no exception.
Tyler and Julie were hesitant to reach out to their community for support as we all know they are humble and don’t want to “burden” anyone. A small group of family and friends have helped them see that the burden would be to not allow the community that loves them to help during their time of need.
Tyler and Julie have dedicated their lives to the service of others and have given so much to all of us and their community over the years. It is time for us to send a wave of emotional and financial support back to them.
We ask on behalf of Tyler and Julie that you give whatever you can to help them pay for their hospital bills, continuing physical therapy as Julie reclaims the use of her leg, lost wages, counseling and mental health support, and to help recoup some of what they’ve spent on fertility treatment. We know that with everyone’s support they will come out this experience stronger, brighter, and ready to continue giving their hearts and gifts to the world.
We will keep you all updated in the weeks and months ahead. In addition to financial support, please continue sending Tyler and Julie your daily prayers, positivity, and messages. They love video messages of encouragement.
Tyler and Julie have also asked that you consider donating blood in Julie's honor. Donating blood saves lives. Julie's life was saved in part because of donated blood. To find a blood drive near you, visit www.redcrossblood.org.
Thank you for your support!
On February 10, at 12 weeks pregnant, Julie began experiencing what she thought might be severe flu symptoms. At the time, Tyler was traveling for work in Washington, D.C. As the pain intensified and she found herself struggling to breathe, Julie barely made it to the phone to call 911. This call saved her life.
Paramedics responded quickly and drove Julie by ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center near their home in Portland, Oregon. Trauma doctors discovered massive internal bleeding in Julie’s abdominal cavity and rushed her into emergency surgery. At one point, as many as 30 people were working to stop the bleeding and keep her alive.
The situation was beyond critical—Julie’s life was on the line. The trauma surgeons were not even sure if she’d make it from the emergency department to the operating room. The hospital called Tyler in the middle of the night to say that Julie might not live through this. Unable to do anything, Tyler called their families who helped get him on the first flight back.
Once in surgery, the doctors were astounded with the amount of blood in Julie’s abdomen as they struggled to find the source of the bleeding. Julie was losing so much blood that surgeons were forced to drill a hole in her right tibia to immediately administer massive blood transfusions keeping her brain and body alive. Julie received 17 packets of blood, multiple units of plasma and several transfusions of emergency platelets...enough to replace a normal blood supply two times over.
Due to the intensity of the blood transfusions, Julie developed compartment syndrome in her right leg, a rare and life-threatening condition when dangerously high blood pressure impedes blood flow to and from affected tissue. To save her leg and her life, fast-acting surgeons made two long and deep cuts into her leg to relieve the pressure and restore blood flow.
By the time the surgeons found and stopped the source of the bleeding, there was tragically no way to save Julie and Tyler’s baby. The doctors had no choice but to conduct an emergency full hysterectomy, leaving Julie with an incision stretching from her breastbone to her pelvis that needed 36 staples and countless internal stitches to close.
Nearly two weeks after surgery, Julie is still recovering in the hospital.
Shortly after doctors saved her life and while still recovering in the ICU, Julie underwent a second surgery to close the smaller of her two leg wounds. The larger wound is still open and being treated with a wound vac to promote healing and protect against infection. The wound vac must be changed every other day and doing so is an extremely painful procedure. A skin graft will be required to close the large wound, which doctors have warned will be even more painful than the wound itself.
The staples have now been removed from Julie’s abdomen, but she is still experiencing lots of pain from the traumatic life-saving measures. Her recovery will be long, painful, and require lots of physical therapy.
The Backstory
We are overwhelmingly grateful Julie is still alive, but deeply saddened by the loss of their baby. Each day brings a complex mix of emotions as Julie and Tyler mourn their young child and their future ability to conceive.This tragic episode is heartbreaking and brings a new finality to a seven-year journey with infertility.
Over the years, Julie and Tyler have gracefully navigated the complex and expensive world of infertility, an all-consuming and at times crippling trial. And yet, throughout the entire process, they have remained immensely positive and hopeful.
After numerous procedures, three surgeries for Julie, and multiple IVF cycles, they miraculously became pregnant. It was a time of joy and celebration shared with family and close friends as they anticipated becoming parents.
Given all they have been through and fought for to conceive, the tragic loss of their baby and any hopes of experiencing the joy that comes with carrying new life into the world creates a deep emotional scar.
Our Wish for Julie and Tyler
There is no other way to say it—the fact Julie is alive is cause for celebration and joy. She is incredibly strong and has handled this experience with grace and determination. Tyler is the perfect partner to support Julie during this tragedy. Their journey with infertility has always been something they tackled as a team; this latest and most devastating loss is no exception.Tyler and Julie were hesitant to reach out to their community for support as we all know they are humble and don’t want to “burden” anyone. A small group of family and friends have helped them see that the burden would be to not allow the community that loves them to help during their time of need.
Tyler and Julie have dedicated their lives to the service of others and have given so much to all of us and their community over the years. It is time for us to send a wave of emotional and financial support back to them.
We ask on behalf of Tyler and Julie that you give whatever you can to help them pay for their hospital bills, continuing physical therapy as Julie reclaims the use of her leg, lost wages, counseling and mental health support, and to help recoup some of what they’ve spent on fertility treatment. We know that with everyone’s support they will come out this experience stronger, brighter, and ready to continue giving their hearts and gifts to the world.
We will keep you all updated in the weeks and months ahead. In addition to financial support, please continue sending Tyler and Julie your daily prayers, positivity, and messages. They love video messages of encouragement.
Tyler and Julie have also asked that you consider donating blood in Julie's honor. Donating blood saves lives. Julie's life was saved in part because of donated blood. To find a blood drive near you, visit www.redcrossblood.org.
Thank you for your support!
Organizer and beneficiary
Kevin and Ashley Sonoff
Organizer
Portland, OR
Tyler Hale
Beneficiary