Help Zoe Heal
Donation protected
January 12, 2017 Zoe Maney was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Myasthenia Gravis. The diagnosis came after 4 months of intermittent issues with severe vertigo, seizures, panic attacks, severe joint pain, chest pain and double vision.
On January 18th, Zoe was admitted to Connecticut Children's Medical Center to the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) with respiratory failure as a symptom of Myasthenia. She had an anaphylatic reaction to one of her medications shortly after, and needed to be intubated and put on a ventilator.
Since then she has had surgery to remove her thymus gland, which is responsible for her disorder. The hope is that she will eventually have a full recovery, but it is a very complex and long path to get there with no end in sight right now.
The medication she needs to be on for the Myasthenia has caused issues with her heart rate dropping dangerously low into the 20's at times. Her doctors are considering the need for a pacemaker.
Zoe remains in the PICU with a breathing tube and on a ventilator for about 3 weeks now. They have tried extubating her, but her lungs and diaphragm have been weakened by the Myasthenia. If she is not strong enough to breathe on her own in the next week, the doctors will also consider a tracheostomy.
Her breathing and heart rate issues are really holding her back from any significant recovery progress. She is unable to speak or eat, so she has a feeding tube and communicates through writing on a white board. She has a central IV line in her leg as well.
Zoe's mom Andrea is a single mom and is currently on unpaid FMLA leave from her job. With no real end in sight, this of course is a huge financial concern. The doctors suspect that Zoe will need to remain in the hospital for at least a couple more months.
Any funds raised would be used towards Zoe's medical care as well as basic living expenses for their family while her mom is not working. It has been suggested that Zoe would qualify for a service dog to assist her once she is out of the hospital. At this time they are looking into options as this is also a huge expense.
Andrea is a friend of mine that I originally met through our sons' Boy Scout troop. I have given her full access to all of the funds raised on this page. She will be providing updates here on Zoe's progress.
Thank you so much for your support!
On January 18th, Zoe was admitted to Connecticut Children's Medical Center to the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) with respiratory failure as a symptom of Myasthenia. She had an anaphylatic reaction to one of her medications shortly after, and needed to be intubated and put on a ventilator.
Since then she has had surgery to remove her thymus gland, which is responsible for her disorder. The hope is that she will eventually have a full recovery, but it is a very complex and long path to get there with no end in sight right now.
The medication she needs to be on for the Myasthenia has caused issues with her heart rate dropping dangerously low into the 20's at times. Her doctors are considering the need for a pacemaker.
Zoe remains in the PICU with a breathing tube and on a ventilator for about 3 weeks now. They have tried extubating her, but her lungs and diaphragm have been weakened by the Myasthenia. If she is not strong enough to breathe on her own in the next week, the doctors will also consider a tracheostomy.
Her breathing and heart rate issues are really holding her back from any significant recovery progress. She is unable to speak or eat, so she has a feeding tube and communicates through writing on a white board. She has a central IV line in her leg as well.
Zoe's mom Andrea is a single mom and is currently on unpaid FMLA leave from her job. With no real end in sight, this of course is a huge financial concern. The doctors suspect that Zoe will need to remain in the hospital for at least a couple more months.
Any funds raised would be used towards Zoe's medical care as well as basic living expenses for their family while her mom is not working. It has been suggested that Zoe would qualify for a service dog to assist her once she is out of the hospital. At this time they are looking into options as this is also a huge expense.
Andrea is a friend of mine that I originally met through our sons' Boy Scout troop. I have given her full access to all of the funds raised on this page. She will be providing updates here on Zoe's progress.
Thank you so much for your support!
Organiser and beneficiary
Karen Tolman Yencho
Organiser
Vernon, CT
Andrea Maney
Beneficiary