Leftwich battles H1N1; benefit planned

by Mary Le Arneal
published 11/25/09

Lyndsey Leftwich is fighting to regain skills she developed as a toddler in North Bend. The 33-year-old was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus in October and was hospitalized in Denver for a month. A benefit spaghetti feed will be held for her Saturday, Dec. 5, at the VFW Hall in North Bend from 5 to 8 p.m.

Leftwich

There will also be a silent auction to raise funds. Any business or person wanting to donate to the auction is asked to call Kathy Martindale at 652-8520 or on her cell at 720-7383.

A fund has been established for Leftwich at Platte Valley Bank, P.O. Box 500, North Bend 68649.

Lyndsey was born to Bob and Sally Leftwich and lived in North Bend until the family moved to Lincoln her junior year of high school. After graduating from high school she attended University of Nebraska- Lincoln, earning a degree in criminal justice. Leftwich has a post-graduate certificate in paralegal studies from Loyola University in Chicago.

Leftwich first experienced flu-like symptoms in mid-October. On Oct. 18 she went to the emergency room with a 106 degree temperature and vomiting. On Oct. 19th her parents arrived in Denver just before she was intubated and placed on a ventilator to help her breathe. It wasn’t until Nov. 11 that she was able to get off the ventilator.

On Nov. 14 she moved out of Intensive Care and into a regular room. Her father, now of South Bend, has been staying in Denver. Her mom and sisters, Shannon of Elkhorn and Jill of Fremont, are traveling out there whenever possible.

According to Shannon, Lyndsey is able to speak but her vocal chords are still weak.

“She has started to eat real food and they should take her feeding tube out (Nov. 16),” Shannon said. “Lyndsey is not able to walk yet, but has stood and with assistance and moves from the bed to a chair. She had her first shower in four weeks on Sunday, Nov. 15, which she said felt fantastic!”

Leftwich is now in Spalding Rehabilitation in Denver where she is receiving physical therapy and occupational therapy. After being sedentary for almost a month, she is very weak.

“Lindsey currently can walk short distances with a walker,” Shannon said.
“She needs assistance with most daily activities, although she is getting stronger and more independent everyday.”

Leftwich’s immediate goal is to be functional enough to obtain a day pass to go to her home in Aurora, Colo., for Thanksgiving. Her next goals will be for her to be able to go home permanently, travel back to Nebraska for Christmas and to get back to work.

Leftwich’s employer has agreed to continue to pay her health insurance and is holding her job for her when she is ready to return. The proceeds from benefits will go toward Lyndsey’s monthly and medical expenses.

A benefit tour is being held beginning Dec. 4 in Waterloo at 5 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. It continues Dec. 5 in North Bend; Dec. 6 in Lincoln at 11 a.m. at the Burke Plaza, 6721 L Street; and Dec. 6 in Chicago.

Cards can be sent to Lyndsey at 3802 South Fraser St., Aurora, CO 80014

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