Kendall’s healing and recovery

On Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, our beloved Kendall Martin was in an ATV accident in California (greater Los Angeles metro area). While the others in the vehicle came away with minor or no injuries, Kendall suffered devastating and severe injuries to her dominant (right) hand.

Kendall has received expert care at Cedars Sinai hospital from world-renowned hand specialists. The journey has already been arduous; as of this writing, Kendall has undergone two surgeries. The first intensive surgery addressed her degloving injury to her hand. She needed pins and wire to reconstruct her fingers and bones and also required a complete revascularization of the vessels in her hand and wrist. The second was to assess the tissue on her hand itself, and to irrigate the area as it attempts to merge with her body. A third surgery, occurring on April 19, is another attempt to save the hand itself: she will have a Pedicle Groin Flap surgery. This procedure is intensive and the recovery process will require her to remain in Los Angeles for another month at least.

More surgeries are expected over time, along with intensive rehab. It is not clear if Kendall will ever have function in her right hand. To this point, pain management has also been particularly challenging, and Kendall has often been in agony.

Kendall has an amazing team on her side, including her loving family and an army of friends and loved ones. Her two young children have returned to Virginia, and her partner Brandon is flying back and forth to care for his family on opposite sides of the country. The extent of this devastating accident will not be known for some time.

At this time, we are appealing to all who know and love Kendall, and to others whose lives Kendall has touched, for help. Medical bills and other incidental costs are starting to pile up. This GoFundMe has been created to help cover the following costs and others that will arise. We will update this information as things become more clear:

+ Airbnb lodging for Kendall during her LA recovery and her caregivers – Estimated at $2,000/week

+ Cost of flights for Brandon and other caregivers – estimated at $5,000

+ Gasoline for commutes from Riverside to Los Angeles for family caregivers – estimated at $500

+ Medical costs not covered by Kendall's insurance plan – estimated at $150,000

+ Anticipated rehab costs - estimated at $8,000

+ Food/Meals for Kendall and caregivers – estimated at $4,000

We will continue to post updates to this GoFundMe as we have them. Kendall has a very long road ahead of her, and is being buoyed up by love, support, and prayers of, and funny memes and GIFS sent by her large community of family and friends. Please join us in showering her with prayers and warm thoughts.

Thank you for contributing whatever you can, and for your continuing prayers and warm wishes for Kendall and her recovery. Please share this widely.

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****UPDATE April 20, 2023****

Kendall's surgery on April 19 did not go exactly as planned. The good news is, when the surgeon cleaned off the dead skin on her palm, they discovered living tissue beginning to form! Because of that, they decided her hand needs more time to attempt healing before making any major decisions. She came out of her surgery with a VAC wound care.

On Friday, April 21, Kendall will go back into the OR for a debridement, dressing change, and to inspect for more tissue growth.

The hope as of now is that on Monday April 24 Kendall will return to surgery for hopefully a skin graft, rather than the pedicle groin flap. Nothing is off the table, so we return to waiting and hoping for good growth.

Kendall's wonderful surgeon gave her a full report today, and reminded us that this is a long road. Regardless of what happens on Monday, she'll need to remain in LA (if not in the hospital) for weeks, not days, before she'll be able to return to Virginia and her family. The hospital has begun the process of investigating what her return home may look like, in terms of her continued care and extensive therapies ahead.

Kendall got other good news today - the acupuncture team saw her and will be able to give her treatments while she remains at Cedars-Sinai! She also was able to spend some time in the outdoor area, enjoying some much needed sunshine and fresh air.

Your kindness is overwhelming and a much needed ray of light in an otherwise very difficult and scary situation. Thank you.

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*** UPDATE April 24, 2023***

On April 24, 2023, Kendall underwent her 5th surgery. During this procedure, the surgeons planned to explore the progress of her healing and recovery, and make a determination about whether a skin graft was the appropriate next step, or whether a Pedicle Groin Flap would be necessary. Thankfully, they discovered that healthy tissue had continued to regenerate, and thus proceeded with a skin graft. At this time, it is not expected that Kendall will need a Pedicle Groin Flap. The skin grafts came from Kendall's skin on both legs, and the grafts were successful.

Next steps will hopefully center around observation and healing. Kendall will remain in LA for the time being, so that her doctors can continue to watch her progress and so she'll be able to receive any additional surgeries or treatments necessary. It is hoped that she will be cleared to travel back home to continue her healing in a month or so.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of Kendall, her family, and her caregivers. Kendall strongly believes that everyone’s prayers have been powerful throughout this whole ordeal. She is comforted and buoyed by each and every one of you. Thank you.

And thank you for helping to share this GoFundMe far and wide - and for all of you who have made a contribution to support the medical and other costs that have begun to accumulate.

*** UPDATE April 29, 2023***

Some more positive news to share in this update -

April 26 was discharge from the hospital day! Kendall is adjusting to recovery in this new environment – there are more creature comforts and privacy, but being outside of the medical environment presents its challenges, and pain is always lingering.

Kendall will remain in Los Angeles a while longer for additional follow-up appointments. It’s step by step, day by day – the next step is a follow-up appointment on May 1, which will determine the next phase of Kendall’s treatment and recovery process.

Please continue to lift up prayers and send Kendall warm and loving messages. Please also continue to share this GoFundMe to help support Kendall’s recovery. Thank you!