A British mum is trapped in Gran Canaria facing huge medical bills after falling critically ill.
Karen McIntee, 58, and her sister Isy Macleod flew to Gran Canaria for what they hoped would be a relaxing holiday - but had only been on the sun-drenched island for a few days when Karen began feeling unwell.
Isy described how she found her sister unconscious one day and called emergency services immediately, before Kare, from Plymouth, was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with a lung infection.
Karen became desperately ill, with doctors placing her on a ventilator and into a medically induced coma.
Now her family are urgently trying to fly Karen home and have set up a fundraiser in hope of raising the money for the trip in a private air ambulance, reports Plymouth Live.
Describing the horror ordeal, Isy, aged 56, said: “I had to make the most difficult phone call of my life, and let Karen’s daughter, Emily, know how sick her mum was. She flew over straight away, and spent her birthday at her mum’s bedside. The doctors told us that the outcome wasn’t very positive.
"We refused to believe this was the end for her, and all of you who know her, know she’s a fighter, and that’s exactly what she did. In the space of a month, Karen’s been woken from her coma, and now she’s completely free of the drugs that were keeping her asleep. She’s had a tracheostomy and is still on a ventilator, and all she wants to do now is go back home.”
Still unwell, Karen needs to be flown home to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth from the medical facility in Gran Canaria to continue her recover. All of Karen’s hospital medical bills have been paid, but getting her back home is a different story. The only way that can happen, is by private air ambulance, with a doctor and nurse looking after her.
Her daughter, Emily said: “She was told she had pneumonia and was put into a medically-induced coma and on a ventilator for two weeks. The hospital she remains at has been absolutely amazing and they have woken her up, and have reduced her medication.
"She now has a tracheostomy which is still a ventilator and she is unable to talk, the language barrier is very difficult and we are having to use Google Translate. We just want her home and the only way this can happen is by air ambulance repatriation, so she can continue her recovery back in Plymouth.
"If everyone could please share far and wide would be greatly appreciated and a small donation if possible. We just want her home!”
The family desperately needs some help to raise the funds and bring Karen home, as soon as possible. You can donate via the fundraiser here.
