Katy O’Hern Medical Fund

Dear family, friends & community, we are reaching out to gather support for Katy O’Hern and her family. Many of you know Katy, Jo, Kiana, JJ, Maddox, and Colin from their countless volunteer hours over the years at the schools, various sports programs, and involvement with the youth here.

After on and off again flu-like symptoms for a week, Katy was taken to French Hospital ER Saturday July 24th. She was given fluids and anti-nausea medicine, and discharged. On Sunday the 25th, when her symptoms worsened, she was taken back to French Hospital, and was told she never should have left in the first place. After a slew of tests and procedures, they said it was likely Septic Colitis / Pyelonephritis and administered antibiotics.

On Tuesday morning, In the middle of prepping for a Gastroscopy, for reasons still unknown, Katy exhibited “stroke” like symptoms, causing the rapid response team to rush in and take her to the ICU. There would be 2 more such episodes in the following days.

She has remained in ICU since. While continuing to show progress, they still don’t know exactly what is causing her illness. They have run every test they can think of: xray’s/catscan/mri/spinal tap/echocardiogram/bloodwork, biopsies, and more. We have heard everything from covid/stroke/seizures/sepsis/bacterial meningitis, but so far she is passing all the tests. She has no medical history or issues, so this is confusing and very stressful, to say the least. As of this posting, the medical expenses alone are nearing $10,000 in out of pocket costs with still no end in sight. Physical therapy was attempted on Friday but that seemed to make things worse so was stopped. In the last 2 days, blood clots formed, so that is yet another setback they are dealing with.

Katy, Jo, and their family are very proud and private people. They would never ask for help for themselves, and will most likely try to bear the financial burden on their own. Katy is missing work, and will be out for the foreseeable future. Jo has had to break from his full-time sales work to be at the hospital with Katy, and will care for her once she is discharged. It is going to be a long process, with many unknowns.

This GoFundMe is made to help relieve some of the stress that is sure to come from medical bills, future therapies, procedures, & all other expenses or bills that will arise. The kids Ki , JJ, Maddox & Colin are all doing their best to help where they can, and have been very resilient in how they have been handling this.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and if nothing else, please send positive energy, well wishes and prayers this way.

With love & hope.