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Financial assistance sought for child with meningitis
By TOM GERMOND
| Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 |
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LARGO – Fundraising efforts are under way for a 3-year-old girl suffering from bacterial meningitis.
Kaeci Wagner of Largo came down with a slight fever and vomiting on Wednesday, Oct. 29, according to a news release from Christ the King Lutheran Church. The fever left but came back a couple of days later and rose to 104 degrees.
Reached by phone Nov. 20, Tina Wagner, the girl’s mother, said that her daughter had been complaining about a headache. But when Kaeci’s neck began to hurt and she became delirious, Tina suspected that her illness was more serious than flu.
Kaeci was rushed to Bayfront Hospital’s emergency room, where she was put on antibiotic medicines.
She was rushed into emergency surgery on Nov. 2 to relieve pressure to her brain. She was in a coma. Taken off the ventilator on Friday, Nov. 14, Kaeci is now breathing on her own; she said a few words on the morning of Nov. 20.
“She’s responsive,” Tina said.
Tina said her daughter had all vaccinations but the strain of virus is a type the medical team treating the little girl has never seen before. So far the strain has no known origin.
“We were told it is a new strain,” Tina said.
Though she doesn’t “want to start a panic,” the family wants to make people aware of Kaeci’s disease.
The youth’s doctors think Kaeci may be able to have physical therapy sometime soon. She may have to learn many of her abilities, such as walking, speaking and feeding herself. As of Nov. 20, she was just starting to eat.
On a positive note, Tina said Kaeci was in good health; Tina was told that Kaeci has good muscle mass.
The family does not have any medical coverage. The church and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans had a fundraising dinner for the family on Nov. 14.
“They are going to need a lot of money for this,” said Bob Schiffer, a spokesman for the church. “She (Kaeci) has been in the hospital for three weeks.”
Contributions to help with the family’s medical expenses can be made out to Christ the King Lutheran Church, with Wagner Family Fund in the notation line, and sent to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 11220 Oakhurst Road, Largo, FL 33774.
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Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008
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