The tourist left fighting for life in the US when a dream vacation turned into a nightmare is dealt another devastating blow, and now it needs your help
- Woman struggling with $211,000 bill after being rushed to US hospital
- Amanda Couchman was admitted to the ICU in LA and put on life support
- He recovered and returned to New Zealand, but has a $147,595 bill to pay
By Ben Talintyre for Daily Mail Australia
Published: 16:51, August 13, 2022 | Updated: 16:56, 13 August 2022
A tourist who nearly died after a severe bout of pneumonia landed her in a US hospital has been hit with a bill for more than $200,000.
Amanda Couchman, from New Zealand, was rushed to an emergency room in Los Angeles on July 1 after experiencing difficulty breathing.
He was immediately put on life support, and doctors soon diagnosed him with pneumococcal pneumonia.
The infection resulted in hypoxemic respiratory failure, several blood and fluid infections in the lungs.
Mrs Couchman was visiting Los Angeles for her cousin’s wedding but spent the special day in a hospital bed.
He survived and returned to New Zealand, where he received a bill for A$147,595 ($211,000).
Amanda Couchman (pictured) was taken to a Los Angeles hospital on July 1, after experiencing difficulty breathing. She was placed in the ICU and put on life support with doctors soon diagnosing her with pneumococcal pneumonia.
She was visiting Los Angeles for her cousin’s wedding and returned to New Zealand with a huge medical bill of almost $150,000 (pictured)
WHAT IS PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA?
Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by bacteria that live in the upper respiratory tract and can spread to other people through coughing or close contact.
Symptoms may include:
– fever, cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, neck stiffness, confusion, increased sensitivity to light, joint pain, chills, ear pain, insomnia and irritability
In severe cases, pneumococcal pneumonia can cause hearing loss, brain damage, and death
Her brother Shane Tuala set up a GoFundMe page for his sister to help her reduce the huge bill.
“If anyone knows Amanda you will know she has a heart of gold and is loved by many,” Mr Tuala wrote on the fundraising page.
“Any donation, no matter the size, would go a long way towards covering Amanda’s medical costs and we would be eternally grateful for any support we receive.”
The GoFundMe, started by Mr Tuala on Monday, has raised more than $13,000.
On Facebook, Amanda said it was time to “be a little vulnerable” and ask for help.
“It was without a doubt the biggest challenge of my life and the roller coaster, even though it has slowed down, (praise the lord), there are still some bumps ahead,” she wrote.
“One of them is this very, very large number that is now my medical debt.
“I hope that my payments to the hospital, which I may be making for some time, can help to honor, thank and reward the many, many amazing specialists, doctors and nurses who saved my life and who (to be honest) they saved my mind. hello as they were my little temporary family in a very foreign and sometimes very lonely place.’
Amanda said it had been difficult to ask for help, but said it would “mean the world” if people helped make a dent in the bill.
Amanda ended the post with a tribute to everyone who has sent their well wishes and already offered help.
‘My family and friends. Every prayer, every message, every playlist, every poem written, every bedtime story, every call, every voicemail, and every thought you’ve sent me from afar and continue to send me. I could never say anything to repay you all for the ways you have helped me, but… thank you from the bottom of my heart! I am truly filled and overwhelmed with the deepest gratitude and love for everyone,” she wrote.
A GoFundMe campaign was set up for Ms Couchman (pictured) to help pay the huge bill