When Christopher Lopez Jr. was 10 years old, he liked playing with his two younger brothers, liked watching “Two and a Half Men” and Jack Black movies, and loved Mario video games. And he was a happy, healthy child. Tragically, the appendicitis was missed, resulting in a ruptured appendix, septic shock, and cardiac arrest. He was resuscitated nine and a half minutes later and although he survived, his life was never the same.
Almost four years later, Christopher’s current life bears little resemblance to those carefree days. The prolonged episode of cardiac arrest starved Christopher’s brain of oxygen, resulting in trauma that had lasting physical effects on him. He is non-verbal, unable to walk, has a feeding tube, is on a ventilator with a tracheostomy, is on a ventilator at least 10 hours a day, and is on a ventilator 24 hours a day. of sleep is necessary. Time care.
Christopher, now 14, his mother Renee Lemos, his father Christopher Lopez Sr., his 11-year-old brother, and his 10-year-old sister continue to live together in a modest apartment in Sylmar. ing. Although it has been many years, everything inside is dramatically different than before.
Today, the meticulously organized house is filled with numerous boxes containing various medical supplies, and there is a hospital bed in the room where Christopher spends most of his days. Powdered milk, clothing, sanitary products, cleaning supplies, etc. are stacked neatly separated. Items needed to care for Christopher.
Despite his extreme limitations, Christopher recognizes his family, understands basic language, and still enjoys watching his favorite shows. And when she sees her, especially her mother, she smiles.
“When I come home, he’s always so happy and he always has a big smile on his face,” Lemos said, adding that the moment “makes my day” and keeps her going. He added that it was helpful.
The night everything changed
“It’s a long story, but [and] It’s heartbreaking,” Lemos said of the events leading up to the night that irrevocably changed their lives. Christopher had been feeling unwell due to the weather, but was well enough to perform in the school’s holiday show that day. His family didn’t find out until much later. It was learned that he had a rare form of appendicitis, which caused a leak that later led to a near-fatal case of sepsis.
On the surface, Christopher seemed fine, but two days later his condition suddenly worsened, becoming lethargic and only responsive when his mother spoke to him directly.
Delays in care at Olive View ER
“I noticed how much he was starting to sweat and his body was starting to feel cold. [so] I called the paramedics,” Lemos said. He was taken to the emergency room at Olive View UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar, where his condition worsened and his appendix ruptured, followed by cardiac arrest.
“He coded in my arms and it took him nine and a half minutes to revive him,” she said.
It was the longest nine-and-a-half minutes of her life, Lemos said through tears.
“It was December 15, 2019,” she said, detailing the trajectory of events. That night, Christopher was airlifted to the University of Southern California in Los Angeles County, where she remained until February 17, when she was transferred to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). He was released from CHLA in mid-March, “the day before COVID-19 hit and the world shut down,” Lemos said.
“We had to [take classes] To learn how to care for him at home. [didn’t want] to send him to [a long-term care] facilities,” she continued, adding that coronavirus restrictions have limited in-person support services, further complicating an already difficult situation.
“Since then, life with Christopher has been very difficult. Everything in our lives has changed,” Lemos said. “It’s been hard on all of us financially, work-wise, mental health-wise, it’s been hard on all of us, and it’s been hard on all of our children. Before all this happened, we were normal. It was a family of
Lemos believes medical negligence at the emergency room, including a delay in getting admitted to the hospital and seeking medical attention before his symptoms worsened, contributed to Christopher’s complications and current condition. He said that She believes she should have recognized the seriousness of the situation right away. Especially since Christopher fell into the age group where appendicitis is most common, from the age of 10 to the age of 30. Unfortunately, the rate of misdiagnosis of appendicitis in children from 2 to 12 years of age is 28% to 57%, according to statistics from the National Institutes of Health, and almost 100% in children under 2 years of age.
“No one was taking the time to give him the attention he needed,” Lemos said.
Despite repeated efforts with various attorneys, it has not been able to file a medical malpractice suit, but Lemos said it expects to be able to do so in the future.
The family works around the clock.
Before Christopher became ill, Lopez worked long days at a long-term job at Galpin Motors, and Lemos worked nights at a retail store, making sure someone was always home with the kids. But when Christopher became disabled, Ms. Lemos took time off and eventually quit her job to care for Christopher.
Their days now revolve around his 24-hour care. A home nurse takes care of Christopher in eight-hour shifts three days a week, while his mother and father take turns the rest of the time, with occasional support from loved ones such as grandparents. .
To accommodate her demanding schedule, Lopez had to change jobs, which reduced her overall income. To make ends meet, Lemos is back at work, taking part-time shifts in retail.
“We both coordinate each other’s schedules and participate in Christopher’s daily care: feeding him through a G-tube, running water to keep him hydrated, washing him daily, giving him a bath. We put him in, change him, clothe him, give him medicine, and rest him. We make sure he has his schedule and monthly necessities, plus everything we pay for, at his own expense. Please,” she said. “And we have to be there for our other two kids, parent-teacher conferences, school events, drop-offs and pick-ups. All that makes it difficult to live a normal life. Become.”
Lopez said Christopher’s insurance provides regular medical transport for him to see a doctor, but he is confined to his bed at home except when he goes out.
“Christopher has always loved being outdoors, but since all this has happened, the only time he sees the sun is when an ambulance comes to pick him up, whether he’s sick or going to a regular doctor’s appointment. ” he recalled. “Other than that, he looks at the same wall all day. It’s very hard to see him like that.”
Despite the stress and isolation, Lemos said there have been positive moments, such as Christopher having weekly sessions with a communication therapist and being taught how to use gaze software on his laptop. The long-term goal is to learn to use your eyes to select words and form phrases, allowing the software’s voice to act as your own. For now, they’re celebrating their latest small victory. He assembled his six-piece virtual puzzle on a computer screen.
“It was a small puzzle, but it’s progress,” Lemos said. Although Christopher’s overall progress has been limited, he has reached several important milestones. During his hospital stay and for a long period afterwards, Christopher was in a near-vegetative state and required a ventilator for most of the day. He now remains conscious and breathing on his own for up to 14 hours each day.
Setting up a GoFundMe page
“I hope things will get a little bit easier in time, especially as Christopher has progressed little by little. [if] We can provide our own transportation for him,” Lemos said. “Then let’s all go outside for some fresh air.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to collect donations to help purchase a used medical accessible van with a lift. This allows you to safely transport Christopher on your own, go to medical appointments, or “just go outside, go to the park, enjoy nature that day,” Lopez said. .
Graffiti Artist Kickoff Fundraiser
To help them get started, Lopez’s longtime friends in the local graffiti art community organized a unique fundraiser in Pacoima this past weekend. The graffiti art themed event was held in the backyard of a private house. Organizers collected admission fees and participating artists made additional donations for the opportunity to paint blank wall spaces installed throughout the backyard. Raffle tickets to win art supplies were also sold, and proceeds from sales of food, drinks, paints, etc. were donated to Christopher. Donations totaled over $2,000.
“this [was] It’s a blessing for us,” Lemos said. “We didn’t ask for it, it was just a friend who reached out to us.” [to say], “We will help you.” I was very happy to receive unexpected support from people. ”
Although Lemos does her best to remain optimistic about the future and tries not to think about the “what ifs,” she admitted there are moments when she wonders “why?”
“Of course, it’s difficult. You wonder, ‘Why did this happen?’ Why for us, why for him? ” she said. “Christopher is an angel, of course, but he also wonders, ‘Why is he here?'”
She points out that while in many cases too much pressure can tear families apart, in her case it has brought them closer together.
“Christopher brought our family together again,” Lemos said. “He is a blessing to everyone.”
Christopher’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help purchase an accessible van and pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses. www.gofundme.com/f/1ug1tlrzqo?utm_campaign.