A teenager whose body was suddenly ravaged by meningitis has had all four of her limbs amputated and suffered from severe burns to her skin, it emerged today.
Kaitlyn Dobrow, 18, has undergone nine life-saving surgeries since being admitted to hospital after coming down with flu-like symptoms.
She also suffered such severe skin damage that she remains in a burns unit at the UC Irvine Medical Centre in California.
Kaitlyn has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease which causes meningitis and blood infections. It is fatal in one in ten cases.
Her mother Kathi said her daughter felt ill a month ago and was so weak from flu-like symptoms that she was unable to get out of bed.
After being rushed to hospital her condition deteriorated so much her family thought she might die.
To save her life and stop the disease from spreading both her arms and legs were amputated. The legs were amputated below the knee while her arms were amputated below the elbow.
Doctors have warned the family she might need further surgery.
Writing on a fundraising page, Kathi said: 'So far, after more than a month in the ICU, she has had six surgeries, with more to come. Due to components of this horrific illness, she has had amputations of all four limbs.
'She also suffered severe skin damage and is on the burn unit to address her skin wounds.
'After she is released from the hospital, she will go to a rehab center for physical therapy to learn all over again how to do the basic things in life and to care for herself, but with only partial arms and legs. She will eventually be fitted with prosthetics.'
Kathi writes that the family will have to sell their current home to cope with Kaitlyn's disability when she returns home.
'We may have to sell our current house as it has no bedrooms on the first floor, but in any case, we will need to make modifications to whatever house we live in, as well as purchase a vehicle, as both house and vehicle will need to be equipped to accommodate her needs,' she writes on a page set up on the Giving Forward website.
The page contains photos of Kaitlyn swathed in bandages as she recovers in hospital with her dad Don and brother Ian by her bedside.
'Kaitlyn has had an amazingly positive and courageous attitude throughout this illness and is determined to have a happy, fulfilling life, believing that God has an awesome plan for her future. She is my hero,' writes Kathi.
Describing the moment her daughter fell ill, Kathi said: 'Kaitlyn Dobrow is our 18-year-old daughter. She was a typical busy teenager, and had tons of energy.
'She worked, danced, boxed, and did mixed martial arts. She loved cooking and going out with her friends, rarely being at home.
'On February 11, 2013, Kaitlyn worked from 3:00pm to 11:00pm at the hotel where she was employed and then went to the gym.
'She got home and went to bed around 1:00 a.m. on February 12, 2013. Between 9:00 and 9:30 am that morning, Katie woke up and told me that she had a horrible headache and her entire body was in pain.
'I assumed she had the flu. I gave her some Advil and she went back to bed. The Advil provided no relief, and by 2:30 or 3:00pm that afternoon, she was unable to get out of bed. I called the paramedics who took her to the ER.
'There, she was diagnosed with Meningocococcemia and she was admitted to the ICU.
'For the next week, her condition worsened, and we were so afraid we were going to lose her. Thankfully, she survived. '
Donations to the family came be made through the Give Forward webpage set up for Kaitlynn.
Health officials in Orange County have issued a warning to other parents to be on the lookout for symptoms of meningitis that they believe originated in Tijuana, Mexico.
At least five people have already died from the disease in the city.
Kaitlyn Dobrow, 18, has undergone nine life-saving surgeries since being admitted to hospital after coming down with flu-like symptoms.
She also suffered such severe skin damage that she remains in a burns unit at the UC Irvine Medical Centre in California.
Kaitlyn has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease which causes meningitis and blood infections. It is fatal in one in ten cases.
Her mother Kathi said her daughter felt ill a month ago and was so weak from flu-like symptoms that she was unable to get out of bed.
After being rushed to hospital her condition deteriorated so much her family thought she might die.
To save her life and stop the disease from spreading both her arms and legs were amputated. The legs were amputated below the knee while her arms were amputated below the elbow.
Doctors have warned the family she might need further surgery.
Writing on a fundraising page, Kathi said: 'So far, after more than a month in the ICU, she has had six surgeries, with more to come. Due to components of this horrific illness, she has had amputations of all four limbs.
'She also suffered severe skin damage and is on the burn unit to address her skin wounds.
'After she is released from the hospital, she will go to a rehab center for physical therapy to learn all over again how to do the basic things in life and to care for herself, but with only partial arms and legs. She will eventually be fitted with prosthetics.'
Kathi writes that the family will have to sell their current home to cope with Kaitlyn's disability when she returns home.
'We may have to sell our current house as it has no bedrooms on the first floor, but in any case, we will need to make modifications to whatever house we live in, as well as purchase a vehicle, as both house and vehicle will need to be equipped to accommodate her needs,' she writes on a page set up on the Giving Forward website.
The page contains photos of Kaitlyn swathed in bandages as she recovers in hospital with her dad Don and brother Ian by her bedside.
'Kaitlyn has had an amazingly positive and courageous attitude throughout this illness and is determined to have a happy, fulfilling life, believing that God has an awesome plan for her future. She is my hero,' writes Kathi.
Describing the moment her daughter fell ill, Kathi said: 'Kaitlyn Dobrow is our 18-year-old daughter. She was a typical busy teenager, and had tons of energy.
'She worked, danced, boxed, and did mixed martial arts. She loved cooking and going out with her friends, rarely being at home.
'On February 11, 2013, Kaitlyn worked from 3:00pm to 11:00pm at the hotel where she was employed and then went to the gym.
'She got home and went to bed around 1:00 a.m. on February 12, 2013. Between 9:00 and 9:30 am that morning, Katie woke up and told me that she had a horrible headache and her entire body was in pain.
'I assumed she had the flu. I gave her some Advil and she went back to bed. The Advil provided no relief, and by 2:30 or 3:00pm that afternoon, she was unable to get out of bed. I called the paramedics who took her to the ER.
'There, she was diagnosed with Meningocococcemia and she was admitted to the ICU.
'For the next week, her condition worsened, and we were so afraid we were going to lose her. Thankfully, she survived. '
Donations to the family came be made through the Give Forward webpage set up for Kaitlynn.
Health officials in Orange County have issued a warning to other parents to be on the lookout for symptoms of meningitis that they believe originated in Tijuana, Mexico.
At least five people have already died from the disease in the city.
Show your support : http://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/1d32/kaitlynndobrowinspireshope
Source: DailyMail
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