Help Mallory Get the Care She Needs

Mallory’s journey started on September 11th, 2023, with what was supposed to be a routine gallbladder removal at an outpatient surgery center. Unfortunately, the aftermath of the surgery turned into a nightmare. Although the surgery itself was successful in removing her gallbladder, which had stones and lesions, her recovery took a severe and unexpected turn.

After two hours in recovery, Mallory remained unconscious. A healthcare worker informed her worried parents that they had been unable to wake her up, and were unsure of the next steps. Despite Mallory coughing up blood, struggling to breathe, and having an oxygen level in the upper 70’s even while on supplemental oxygen, the surgery center was hesitant to call 911 or transfer her to a hospital. Her parents insisted on her being transferred to a hospital, refusing to leave without it happening.

Upon arrival at the hospital, Mallory’s oxygen levels had plummeted into the 60s. A CT scan revealed she had aspiration pneumonia, and her lungs were hemorrhaging. She spent five grueling days in the ICU on 15 liters of oxygen, battling sepsis, anxiety, and emotional turmoil from the surgery. Following her ICU stay, Mallory was on oxygen around the clock for a week. Complications continued when she contracted COVID-19 two months post-surgery.

Despite consulting numerous specialists in cardiology, pulmonology, primary care, and at a sleep center, along with seeing a therapist, Mallory’s health issues persisted. She since has been diagnosed with PTSD. To say a few out of many; She experiences episodes of severe lightheadedness, hypoxemia, syncope, low blood pressure, tachycardia, fatigue, blood pooling in her legs, dysautonomia, and debilitating migraines. Unfortunately, these symptoms are continued today.

These symptoms forced her to quit her job, pause her college education, and put her love for the gym on hold. She was also diagnosed in high school with Bicuspid Aortic Valve. Two months before surgery it was mild, but now the echocardiogram has shown moderate changes. All of this has caused many problems to her whole body. Several doctors have tried medications that have been trial and error. Her cardiologist, and primary care physician recommended she seek help at Vanderbilt.

Mallory's referral to the Vanderbilt Autonomic Clinic was submitted in April, but the clinic had a two-year waitlist. The cardiologist and neurologist appointments were scheduled for January of 2025. However, her condition has remained so debilitating that her parents took her to the ER at Vanderbilt. After a nine-hour wait in a hallway bed, she finally received diagnoses of tachycardia, dysautonomia, and migraines. Despite this, follow-up appointments with the recommended specialists were still months away, scheduled for November and December. She has since been back to see the cardiologist and neurologist. They did mention migraines, diagnosed long COVID, treated her as if she does have POTS with tests to follow up, and borderline Chiari Malformation, found in a recent MRI.

Last week, the doctor's office called with a cancellation to work her in for testing on May 28th, that was originally scheduled for October of this year. Mallory went in for all the testing and will see an amazing doctor next week for the results that were originally scheduled for November. This is to diagnose the type of dysautonomia she has, leaning towards POTS. Testing in the Tri-Cities showed she was just 2 points away from a diagnosis of POTS with tachycardia. These nine months have been filled with frustration, crying, disappointment, severe anxiety, weight loss, many symptoms, and overwhelming challenges - physically, mentally, and financially. She is still on oxygen at night and feeling rough most days, with debilitating symptoms. They are hoping for some answers, and medication to help.

Mallory’s story highlights the immense challenges faced in the healthcare system, especially when dealing with complex and debilitating conditions that require specialized care and timely intervention. Mallory has three more trips to Vanderbilt already scheduled for appointments in the next several months. The costs of these trips—copays, gas, hotel, and food—add up quickly, to close to $500 each.

As a community, we want to help Mallory and her family with these expenses so they can focus on her care and getting her life back to normal. As for someone in her 20’s, she feels like her life is “on hold.” Her faith, and strength during these nine months have been amazing. Her anxiety has been tough, but she still has hope in the big picture, and God's plan because in the end, He is in control.

Please consider donating to support Mallory's journey to recovery. Every contribution helps, no matter how small. Thank you for your generosity and support. If you are unable to give, please keep Mallory and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

As Mallory often quotes this verse from the Bible, “The pain you’ve been feeling, cannot compare to the joy that is coming.” - Romans 8:18 - and we do believe in that!