Emily’s Story

Site created on July 23, 2020

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using this platform to keep family and friends updated in one place. We greatly appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this unforeseen time.

When Emily was three years old, doctors discovered that she had a rare condition called AVM (Arteriovenous malformation) - if you’re not familiar this means the arteries and veins in an arteriovenous malformation can rupture, causing severe bleeding and can be life threatening due to hemorrhaging. Emily had eight episodes of hemorrhaging before emergency surgery when she was three.

Dr. Waner performed her surgery in Arkansas when she was a child and she has had no issues for over 20+ years.

Last week, out of nowhere, she began to experience severe pain and loss of mobility in her hand (where the previous surgery was) and there were obvious visible changes in her hand/wrist.

Last Friday, things took a turn for the worse. Emily and her husband ended up at University of Washington ER in Seattle. They received the news that surgery is needed - immediately.

From Friday until Monday, testing was done in Seattle. Because this is so rare, she needs to have this surgery to remove the AVM with a team of surgeons in NYC.

On Tuesday, they flew to NYC. Due to Covid restrictions, having more tests done and also waiting to have a team of surgeons available, surgery is scheduled tomorrow morning at 5:00 AM PST to remove the AVM.

We will know more today after Emily meets with Dr. Waner in what to expect for the future.

As most of you know, Emily is a loving daughter, sister, wife and mom. She’s also an incredible wedding photographer and self proclaimed master gardener. This has completely flipped her world upside down. Please be fervent in prayer for her, Nathan, Niyah, Eli, and her family.

**Also— they have been thrown into a financial situation that has added additional stress. Last minute airfare, at least 13 days in a hotel, meals, taxi rides. . . and they have a Christian medi-share ( due to being self-employed) & don’t know how much will be covered. $10,000 had to be paid out of pocket yesterday as a downpayment. There is a gofundme if you feel led to help in this area:   https://www.gofundme.com/f/tpnq5-emily039s-medical-expenses?utm_source=messenger&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cf%20share-flow-1&fbclid=IwAR3wR-7BecmJM4Cp4PyffZaGOHf-GChfhzv39YsWTG7bm63qO7tKTUcBU1Y   

Venmo is:  @emilymollerphotography

Newest Update

Journal entry by Haleigh Engels

Yesterday was Emily’s first Physical Therapy appointment! This was to establish a long term care plan - unfortunately, she failed all her exercises, which was to be expected, but still very discouraging + disappointing for her. 

All of the adrenaline of what Emily has endured the past two weeks has worn off, and the past few days have been extremely difficult for her. Being away from her kids for so long, to being back home and not able to do anything, to her not being in her own home and able to do simple task. Not only that, but also reflecting on the trauma she endured from traveling with Covid restrictions, the actual operation, and more... It’s all been a lot for her to handle. 

As most of you know, the AVM was extensive. It was wrapped tightly around her Ulnar nerve causing lack of blood flow to vital parts in her hand, now resulting in loss of mobility in her hand and fingers post surgery. On top of that, the nerve pain that followed the operation is the biggest valley for Emily right now. At this point, Doctors have said that the long term prognosis would be hopefully around Christmas for some gain of mobility back. However, the nerve damage that has debilitated her, has an unknown recovery time.

Please continue to pray for pain management, helping hands, and for there to be healing mentally + physically.

• meals are very appreciated as there are two families living under one roof and little time between appointment and babies to make food. You can find their meal train link under “ways to help”

Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Emily Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation powers a page like Emily's for two weeks.

If you donate by May 12, your gift will be doubled, up to $10,000, thanks to a gift from Living Water Foundation.

Comments Hide comments

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top