*LittleSpicyWarriorFund

Elayna Shaw is a spicy red headed 3 year old that became very ill after getting the Flu. On December 31st 2023 she started to become feverish and not feeling well. The week prior to this COVID had ripped through the household hitting everyone. (With Mindi & George Elayne’s parents having to take off from work). Mindi was able to return to work as a respiratory therapist for a day and a half before having to take off again due to Elayna being sick enough to take to the Emergency Room at Noyes Memorial. At which time the Medical Staff stated to give supportive care for her fevers. She was also diagnosed for POSITIVE Flu A. Elayna came home for a day and a half before having to go back to the Emergency Room at Noyes due having a fever, being lethargic, and dehydration. This was overnight and they again sent Elayna home stating they are seeing this last a while. When Mindi arrived home with Elayna she noticed as a Respiratory Therapist that Elayna was having labored breathing, along with high fevers, not eating in a week, and worried about dehydration. So, Elayna took an Ambulance to Golisano’s Children’s Hospital at Strong’s Emergency Room. They preformed many tests and were able to get Elayna right in. The Chest X-Ray showed a large pneumonia in her left lung. Elayna was admitted to the 7th Floor for treatment of pneumonia, fevers, etc. on Monday January 6th 2023. Elayna had many ups and down. She was having a hard time breathing for the next few days but the Medical team wanted to see if antibiotics would help her. They ended up ordering pain meds for this little Warrior and put her on High Flow Oxygen. They did another Xray on Wednesday January 8th at which time they found Elayna had a large  Empyema (a collection of pus in the pleural cavity, gram-positive, or culture from the pleural fluid) At which time they decided that Elayna would need to have an emergency procedure in the OR to have a left chest tube placed to drain this and Reinflate her lung on that side. Meanwhile she is on several antibiotics and isn’t awake much because she’s very uncomfortable and extremely sick. She has had good days but with the good come bad as well. Her chest tube was doing what it was suppose to and her entire team of Surgeons were completely surprised at how much was draining from this tiny little girls chest. (Over 300cc’s) while this was doing what it was suppose to they also found out that her Albumin was low so she was not getting rid of extra fluid so it was leaking into her muscles and she was becoming very puffy and swollen. They started her on Albumin to replace the lack of it in her body. She also started to get Lasix to help her kidneys get rid of extra fluid. They lastly started her on another antibiotic to help fight infection. On Saturday January 13th Elayna’s medical team found another infection that had deflated her right lung and took her to the OR to place a right side chest tube in addition with the left. Also, a PIC line due to her IV access becoming an issue and she pulled her NG tube out the evening before on accident. The PIC line will also start to replace some nutrition that she is lacking because she has not eaten since before New Years Eve. Elayna’s Mom is forced to take FML leave. She has been at her bed side since the start of this sickness. Her Father George has tried to go back to work twice now and had to leave because Elayna needs his bedside as well. Elayna is very very sick. She had a very long road to recovery. Her parents are being forced to take time off from work and have already used any PTO/SICK time. I am Elayna’s Aunt (Mindi’s sister) my name is Brandi and I can see that money is going to become an issue if it’s not already. I am firmly asking for denomination  donations for Elayna’s medical expenses, and to help supplement funds that they are unable to be making due to not working. Funds that can be used for gas, parking, food, bills, and or medical bills. I know that the economy is terrible, but any donating wether just a few dollars or more would help. If we all team up and donate even a small amount, it will add up quickly. We ask if your unable to donate that your prayers will still be gladly accepted. Elayna is the strongest 3 year old I have ever seen. She has been such a warrior since getting sick. Please keep praying. Updates will be given on Facebook. Elayna is moving to the PICU and will need one on one care with her medical team and nursing safe today. Her other two sisters are being taken care of by Aunts/Uncles, and Grandmas. Please consider a small donation for Elayna’s Cause. If your unable to donate please just pray in her honor. We need all of the prayers to surround this very sick child with healing hands.