Raelynn’s Road to Recovery ❤️‍

Hi, my name is Tara and I set up the GofundMe for my niece, Raelynn Tarman. Raelynn is the most spunkiest, quick-witted 5 year old you would ever meet. She never misses a beat and never sits still. Most importantly, she has the biggest heart for everything and everyone.

On Friday July 30, Raelynn woke up complaining of a fever, lower back pain, and was unable to put weight on her left leg and couldn’t walk. Her mom Amber, took her to urgent care where they originally tested her urine to rule out a UTI/kidney infection and took a hip X-ray. Both test came back negative and they were left with no answers. After being told it might be a pinched nerve, they went home, but the pain did not improve.

Fast forward to Sunday, they went to Chambersburg ER where they performed a CT, urine test, and lab work. The CT scan showed inflammation of the spine/left hip, however was diagnosed with a viral infection that settled in her joints and a Urinary Tract Infection. She was sent home on antibiotics, bed rest, and to follow up with the pediatrician. The pediatrician later ordered repeat blood work, however; all inflammation markers in her blood work showed improvements. As time went on, Raelynn continued to have more pain and began to not be able to walk entirely without assistance.

On August 6, her parents (Curtis and Amber) decided to make the decision to take her to Hershey Medical Center. They did repeat blood work, a urine test, and was later admitted to have an Ultrasound and MRI completed on August 7. The ultrasound of her back was negative so we prayed there were answers that the MRI would show. Raelynn was unable to lay still for the MRI so the decision was made to sedate her enough so they could complete the MRI.

After a long wait, the doctor updated her parents that the MRI showed an infection (Abscess) along her spine. The doctors then explained that they would need to do surgery right away to clean out the infection or she would risk paralysis. The surgery was completed, however to get all of the infection, they had to cut through muscle and into her spine (L3-L5).

At this point, we are unsure how soon/how much function she will have in her legs. But we are hopeful that with months of physical therapy, she will regain function and return to her spunky self.

During this time, the family will be down to a single income and Curtis commuting from Hershey and home to be with their other two daughters (Brylynn & Scarlett) who miss their sissy so much. Anything will help the Tarman’s get through this unforeseen time and will help with Raelynn’s Road to Recovery!

More importantly, they could use all the prayers they can to get through each day that is yet to come.

Thank you all so much!