Support for Janelle and family

On Thanksgiving Day my sister, Janelle Marro-Byrd, was rushed to the hospital after vomiting blood and losing consciousness. Minutes after arriving, an aneurysm on her hepatic artery burst, and she began a massive hemorrhaging of blood. After 6+ hours of emergency surgery, just to stop the bleeding, and over 50 units of blood transfusions, the vascular and general surgeons were able to save her life. She remained in the ICU where just a couple of days later, she went into surgery again so they could determine the actual cause: a previously repaired aneurysm had become infected, fused itself to the stomach and burst directly into her stomach and small intestine which also triggered a second aneurysm. As a result, every internal organ became compromised and in shock. For the past month she has remained in the ICU in critical condition, on continual dialysis and assisted breathing, and in extreme pain.

As of this week, she is facing more life-threatening complications. Due to the recent vomiting of blood, we’ve learned that there is still internal bleeding. If it is unable to stop on its own, further surgery will be required to remove some or all of the infected organ, which would permanently affect her quality of life and require lifelong, continued medical care. The reality is that any surgery at this stage, especially one this intensive, would be extremely high-risk for someone in her condition and could result in the worst-case scenario.

Janelle is truly one of the kindest and sweetest people on earth who has lived and worked selflessly her entire life – first as a social worker helping those in need and now as a mother of two beautiful girls (Sophia -10 & Ally - 5). She has not seen her girls since entering the hospital and will miss them terribly this entire holiday season. At this point, the most hopeful scenario is that she would spend another month or more in the ICU and then be transferred to a rehabilitation facility where she will spend several more months.

As we wait to learn what the next steps in Janelle’s care will be, we are asking for support in funding her already insurmountable medical bills. Funds will go directly to the cost of her care. Our hope is to alleviate some of the pressure that the bills will place on her and her family while she continues to be hospitalized and as we anticipate more, future procedures. We and Janelle greatly appreciate any and all support.

Thank you,

Joseph Marro & family