Help mema recover from a serious spinal injury

Hi, my name is Miro, and I am fundraising for Karen Stevens, or Mema, my mother-in-law.

Four weeks ago, Mema became unwell with what she thought was a pulled muscle in her neck from her cleaning job. She was told by the doctor to rest and to come back in a few days if it didn't improve. She didn't get that opportunity and was rushed to hospital on 28th July in a critical condition with an acute onset of sensory and motor deficits in the lower body and arms. After rushed testing and MRI scans in the emergency department, the doctors confirmed she was suffering from a staph infection that had damaged her spine's surrounding nerves, tissue and bone. That evening she underwent emergency surgery to remove bone and drain abscesses that were compressing her spinal cord (double laminectomy).She was moved to ICU for her recovery and looked to be stable. On Sunday, 31st July, things took a turn for the worst and after another emergency MRI, the doctors advised that the infection had now entered the spinal canal, and travelled further up the spine damaging the C2-C7, Affecting not only her sensation and movement but also her ability to breathe independently.

After a meeting with the doctors, they strongly suggested another surgery to flush the spine and drain further abscesses that were now compressing the cervical area of the spine . We were informed that she might not make it out of surgery, and her prognosis looked to be quite bleak even with the surgery.

But, the strong, determined lady we know did make it out of surgery and, after four days on the ventilator, progressed to a tracheotomy for a week and then to no assistance required for breathing. A massive feat after the doctors advising they were unsure if she would ever breathe again unassisted.

After three long weeks in ICU and finally stable, she has been moved to the hospital and is awaiting a placement at the spinal unit at Fiona Stanley to commence her rehab.

She has a long, long road ahead of her regarding her recovery and is yet to regain movement in her legs, with limited movements in her arms. The doctors asked her her ultimate goal, and she replied, "to walk again". Doctors have advised her not to set her expectations too high but to take each day as it comes. After being given a 10% chance of survival, she has defied all odds, and we are confident with hard work, she will regain some normality in her life with time.

Mema has the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone. She hates asking for help even when faced with the biggest adversity of her life. We want to help her focus on her recovery without the stress of worrying about no income and no financial support.

Karen has lived in Australia for eight years but was not a citizen due to needing to reside for ten years before eligibility; unfortunately, she will receive no government support. All monies will go to her recovery whilst in Australia and the costs to get her back to NZ when she is medically stable to travel, she will then continue her rehab at the Burwood spinal unit in Christchurch, NZ.

Thank you so much for your support ❤️