Princess Warrior - Collette’s Story

Princess Warrior - Collette’s Story

It started for our normal and healthy 3 year old, Collette, when she and her Mommy, Katie came for their annual visit from Rawlins, Wyoming to Texas and Collette got a cold leading to a sinus infection that did not respond to antibiotics. This ultimately caused 3 seizures with the last seizure approximately 13 minutes long resulting in a 911 call and transport to Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. After an 8+ hour wait, doctors ran blood work and several additional test, including a CT scan which revealed a massive infection in the left sinus and a line of infection from the sinus to the brain. Her doctor immediately made arrangements to transfer to the downtown campus where she would receive an MRI under sedation and the neurosurgeons would be readily available if needed. Upon arrival to Texas Children’s Hospital downtown, Collette was greeted by a host of teams including an ENT team, neurology team, and Infectious Disease team who are all overseen by a Pediatric team. The MRI was done under sedation along with a nasal scope and swab to obtain more information. The Neurosurgeon spoke to us after the MRI reviewing that a 5-6cm line of infection between the two lobes of the brain plus a pocket of infection had been found. He offered 2 options: brain surgery or wait to see if the 3 very powerful antibiotics were working. He was leaning toward brain surgery until we shared with him that we had seen a small glimpse of Collette that morning-she was laughing and making jokes. Katie showed him a picture of Collette with her messy (very messy) bun and big smile. The neurosurgeon was open to waiting a bit longer but prepared us that brain surgery was not off the table. The ENT team told us later that afternoon that they wanted to do a surgical procedure on her sinuses and flush out the left side and “break down the walls” in the sinus cavity that had trapped this horrible infection and allow for drainage. Collette had eaten a couple bites cake which made surgery that night out of the question and the sinus procedure would be done the next day. They did do the sinus procedure on Thursday and reported a massive infection in the left sinus that they were able to clear most of it out by flushing. Friday morning we were told Collette has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and her antibiotics would be adjusted accordingly. Later Friday evening the Hematology team joined our group of teams and we learned of a blot clot in her brain and were started on twice daily Lovenox injections for 3-6 months to break up the clot. All Teams say they are amazed at how good she looks outside vs how bad things are on the inside. The teams are now preparing us for a 4-6 week stay at Texas Children’s for IV antibiotics and then close monitoring from home for the following 6 months or so. Collette’s Daddy is a Correctional Officer in Rawlins and is now faced on making multiple plane trips down to Houston to be with his wife and only child. At this point, it is a waiting game for Collette until she can have the follow up MRI on 5/27 to determine if we continue the multiple and powerful antibiotics or have to have brain surgery.

The lengthy hospital stay, multiple flights to and from Houston along with the extended stay in Houston for follow up monitoring while the Lovenox therapy continues will create a financial, emotional and physical drain on the Kroner Family. If you are able and willing to donate it would be greatly appreciated. If so moved please share Collette’s story and please pray for Collette. She has a long road to recovery ahead of her.

If you’d like to donate directly, I can point you in the right direction.

❤️ Thank you