I can now breathe a sigh of relief after my daughter, Devany Rebelsky Drum, survived a deadly bacteria called E.coli, which nearly killed her.

The E.coli caused her to get TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura) and HUS (hemolytic uremic syndrome) which affects vital organs and can cause permanent damage. The TTP affected Devany’s kidneys, liver, brain and intestines.

Devany fell ill five days after eating an undercooked hamburger at a family cook out. At first, her symptoms were simply cramping, diarrhea and some blood in her stools. Within 12 hours after our first visit to the emergency room (at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center), we returned with severe cramping, diarrhea and pitch black stools. Then, they did a test that showed the walls of her intestines were damaged due to the E.coli bacteria.

They then sent her to Carle Hospital in Urbana. Nothing could be done except to hook her up to fluids and pain medicine. On the fifth day of waiting to see if her body would fight off the bacteria, Devany began showing signs of blurred vision and impaired speech. At that time, they moved her to Medical Intensive Care Unit where plasma exchange and kidney dialysis began.

We learned that Devany had a rare blood type (AB-) and there was only a three-day supply of her blood on hand. With the help of Community Blood Services of Illinois, doctors and employees of Lender’s Bagels (where Devany works), a blood drive was held and what a response it was! Family, friends and folks we did not even know came forward to give blood.

Only three to six percent of the population has AB+ or AB- blood. Devany could use either type. What a scare it was to think your daughter is using 10-12 units of plasma a day, plus having blood and platelet transfusions, with only a three-day supply of her type on hand.

On the third day into her kidney dialysis and plasma exchange, she went into a seizure and stopped breathing. It was then I asked her doctor, "Has anyone as bad as Devany made it?" He looked at me and whispered "No." I had to ask that question; I had to be prepared. It had only been four years ago on September 6, 1995 that I lost my 23-year-old son to leukemia.

They put Devany into a drug induced coma because they could not control her seizures. She was placed on life support, and the kidney dialysis and plasma exchanged continued. After she awoke, she started slowly getting better. She was in the hospital for three and a half weeks and again for one week with a staph infection

I want to give a big thank you for all the wonderful people who took the time to donate blood for my daughter. I would also like to thank Community Blood Services of Illinois for their quick response to my daughter’s needs. After four months, Devany has now returned to work and is fully recovered.

Thanks again to everyone. May God bless you all.

Donna Rebelsky and Family