RIGBY The 11-year-old daughter of Paul and Cami Kartchner of Rigby, Zoe Kartchner, is gradually making a full recovery from an aggressive flesh-eating bacterial infection that nearly killed her.
Zoe, the fourth of six children in the family, got the bacterial infection in early June after playing in a nearby canal with her siblings and cutting her knee on a rope swing during a fun-filled day with her family.
Due to the depth of the wound, sutures and medical treatment were necessary. Zoe was returned to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls after the stitched incision became infected and bloated. There, a surgeon removed the abscess and kept her overnight for observation and IV medications.
But as the infection worsened, Zoe was life-flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City on June 12 for urgent surgery, and she has remained there ever since.
Doctors were worried that Zoe might not survive at one time. Zoe lost a significant amount of blood, underwent painful skin grafts and operations, and spent ten days in a medically induced coma.
According to Zoe’s family, the life-saving blood donations she got during her treatment are the reason she is still alive today.
In Zoe’s honor, they are now organizing a community blood drive in collaboration with the Red Cross. The drive is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22 from noon to 6 p.m. in the Rigby East Stake gym (4012 East 300 North). Beth Radford, Zoe’s aunt, is assisting with the coordination.
She was saved in large part by blood and blood products. According to the experts, giving blood is the best thing someone can do to help. EastIdahoNews.com was informed by Radford. We want to assist refill the blood she has gotten and more because we are so appreciative of it.
The Kartchners express their sincere gratitude to family, friends, and complete strangers throughout Idaho and Utah for their love, prayers, and support.
Paul and Cami, who are private individuals, have been overburdened at this trying period. To keep everyone informed while yet enabling them to concentrate entirely on Zoe’s recovery, they created the Facebook group Zoe’s Journey.
Zoe, who has a strong, independent personality, is currently stable, according to her family, although she is still in the hospital and will need a long time to heal. A significant milestone was reached when Zoe was finally transferred out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, according to a July 1 update on the Zoe’s Journey Facebook page.
According to the family, she continues to struggle with discomfort, anxiety, and controlling her body temperature. However, we are moving forward and hoping for a positive trend.
Her mother said, “I want Zoe to know how many people love her.” She has a lot of people that care about her, and I don’t want her to ever know it.
You may watch the report of Zoe’s recovery that was done by Salt Lake City station KSL.com here.
Those who would like to donate blood in Zoe’s honor can register here for the Red Cross Blood Drive on July 22 in Rigby, Idaho.Or through the following flyer:
