From Vietnam to Ventilation

Auri left for Vietnam 2 weeks ago to celebrate her 18th. It was meant to be a low-key, adventurous way to remember a milestone birthday. She should be home by now but she's in an Intensive Care Unit, unable to see, unable to move herself and at times, needing help with her breathing.

Blood tests, chest X-ray, mri, lumbar puncture are all clear. With no definitive answer, the team of neurologists are leaning towards Auri having a very rare neurological condition called Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS). An autoimmune disease where her body, instead of attacking an infection, is attacking itself. Leaving her paralysed. While prognosis is good when caught and treated early, recovery can be a very long and slow process.

Right now, I, her mum, am stuck in New Zealand. The last 48-hours+ have been hell. My child lays sedated, unmoving in a hospital bed in a foreign country, not understanding the language being spoken around her and I need to get to her. And for me to get to her, I need to bring her big sister, Caea, home first for the stability and emotional wellbeing of the younger siblings - they could not cope with 3 of us gone from home. Caea was due to fly back to London to resume work and life but she's been sitting vigil at Auri's bedside for the 4hrs a day she is allowed in to visit.

Unfortunately for us, it's the end of school holidays and flight prices from from Vietnam are astronomical. Normally id be far too proud to ask for any help but the reality is, Auri needs me.