Please Help Kelsey and Her Family Recover!

Hi, I'm Stacy Read, Kelsey Read Willmering's oldest sister. Unfortunately, I have some rough news to share with those who know and care about her, before asking for help.

This past Sunday 3/20/22, Kelsey went to an urgent care because she was having breathing problems. Kelsey was born with issues with her lungs and asthma, and unfortunately, this has followed her into adulthood. At the urgent care her oxygen level was too low and we were told she would need to go to the hospital if her oxygen level didn't rise.

As you can imagine since we're putting I'm putting this out there, that is what happened. On Monday 3/21/22 Kelsey was admitted to the ICU at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. At first, they thought she might have Covid, so she was on a Covid floor, but thankfully that was a false positive and she should be on a non-covid floor now. Kelsey is on a ventilator to help her breathe as her oxygen levels wouldn't stay high enough on their own. She's also on dialysis to clear the CO2 out of her blood, as her lungs haven't been able to keep up. She has been unconscious since Monday - but she did finally wake up today Saturday 3/26/22 - which was a great surprise for us all! While she's awake, I don't know if she'll be staying awake and she's still hooked up to all her machines. She can't speak yet, but knowing she woke up and recognized her husband, Eric, is still so wonderful!

We do not know how long she will be in the ICU, much less the hospital. We do know this is going to cost a number so large so likely can't pronounce it. Her family's income was just cut in half as she obviously can't work and we don't know when that will change. Kelsey started a new job about six months ago. We're still in contact with her employer and I hope she will be able to stay, but she's hasn't worked there 12 months yet and doesn't legally qualify for FMLA so this is all up in the area - adding to the anxiety.

I'm hoping by creating this fundraiser I can help her family out a bit - as well as let everyone know how Kelsey is doing. Kelsey has a husband, Eric, and two children, Nick and Chloey, who are all really scared and confused. There is so much to worry about right now, but I'm hoping that bills can be one thing they don't have to think about.

Anything that is donated will go straight to the Willmering family to pay for household bills, groceries, and medical bills. Any amount, no matter how small, will be appreciated. If you're not able to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser. We appreciate all our friends, no matter how they contribute, and I don't want anyone to think they need to donate if that's a concern. Just thank you for being there for all of us!

Please know that Kelsey has a strong support system and we will be here with her through this, to do whatever she needs to recover. We greatly appreciate any help and support that can be sent our way right now. Thank you!