Hi my name is Lynne Stephens, My daughter is Marci Chase and I am Kaelan’s Grandmother. I have created this Go Fund for their little family dealing with a huge family tragedy.
On June 28, Marci and her 3 children, Scott, Calli and Little Kaelan were embarking on their annual start to summer vacation to Columbia Falls, MT USA to visit family, friends and enjoy US Forth of July.
On the night of the 29th Kaelan started feeling under the weather. It seemed maybe he was a bit exhausted but rested and had snuggles with Mom. Didn’t appear things were too bad, he was grouchy about taking some Tylenol to help. Over the next few days Kaelan was up seeming ok, but then would start feeling under the weather again. But after some rest and medicine, he would be back to himself.
By the time Kaelan woke up in wee hours of Wednesday July 2, things had taken a drastic turn. Kaelan was now running a fever of 104 which couldn’t come down with any form of medication. He was very incoherent, lethargic, he had such a blank stare…
Immediately he went to Logan health urgent care. The doctor was very concerned and did a chest X-ray and instructed Marci, Kaelan needed to be taken to Emergency at Kalispell Logan health. He had what appeared to be White lung pneumonia in his left lung. He was essentially drowning in his own fluids, he couldn’t hear air moving.
Once we arrived at emergency triage, the dr had forwarded all medical information and Kaelan was taken to the PICU.
Over the next several days, a lot of tests were preformed, trying to see what was causing this. Kaelan continued to worsen, needing medical intervention as well as high flow oxygen to see if any air could get into his little lung. Running broad spectrum antibiotics consistently and many, many tests. Finally a CT scan was needed to see why he wasn’t getting any better, we were not prepared for what was about to come… Kaelan now had a pocket mass in his upper left chest cavity, and the bottom portion of his lung was starting necrosis which required further medical intervention immediately.
So now at this point, surgeons assessed moving forward to ensure they could get this under control and pause anything further and start drainage from mass.
As of today, Kaelan has now been in Kalispell, MT 8 days. The other 2 children are apart with family and friends, But Marci and Kaelan are now stuck there. We were told 2 days ago he would be Lifeflighted back to Calgary but red tape got in the way. The families travel insurance has now run out, the insurance underwriters are demanding they return to Calgary as they are no longer covered.
At one point, insurance wasn’t willing to pay for the Lifeflight home which Kaelan needs to Alberta children’s hospital. Then telling Marci she needed to cover. Which wasn’t feasible. Eventually stating, it could come out of hospital payments. But that would short the hospital funds to cover expenses, only to leave the family with possible unpaid hospital bill.
As of July 9th, it was confirmed, yes insurance would cover the flight, possibly from Vancouver to Kalispell then to Calgary for Marci and Kaelan, but maybe within 24-72hrs.
But, no paperwork was faxed confirming this by 5pm mountain time… No definite timeline…. Marci was told they need to look on (find a bed) to see if there is a bed available based on the Families postal code and closest hospital.
Several calls have been back and forth with insurance underwriter. Marci and Logan health administration have been trying anything to get Kaelan a bed, confirming lifeflight, faxing all patient reports but still nothing yet, Leaving Marci and Kaelan in limbo in Montana.
I know this is a lot for The Chase family right now, Chris has been unable to be with them due to being away for work
Kaelan is slowly improving, but there has many set backs. Which he will need to be in the Children’s hospital possibly for up to another 10days moving forward for his strong IV antibiotics, possibly more testing. We don’t know how this will all play out, I’m worried this may become a very expensive. I’m hopeful some of financial burden can be lessened ie; insurance payments, medical bills, etc hopefully not….be one less thing the family will have to worry about.
At the latest financial update today, Marci could be financially responsible for any where from 20,00- 60,000 USD that will not be covered by the Family’s travel insurance moving forward. Until we can get them home, hospital costs continue to rise.
Logan health has been amazing, working with Marci and Kaelan is continuing to receive the best care possible until we can get a resolve to the life flight home.
UPDATE!!!!! WE HAVE A BED AT CHILDREN’S!!!!! POSSIBLE LIFE FLIGHT TODAY!!!
At this time we request the families privacy, I will continue an update on Marci and Kaelan coming home as I know.
