SALT LAKE CITY — An Idaho family is rallying for support as their daughter, Zoe, battles a severe infection at Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital.
Zoe, an 11-year-old girl known for her nurturing spirit and independence, is the fourth child in her family of six.
Described by her mother, Cami Kartchner, as a tomboy, Zoe recently embarked on a Sunday walk in Idaho Falls that would change their lives.
After watching her brother try a rope swing, she decided to take a leap of her own, but in the process, she fell into the water, injuring her knee.
While the family initially thought the injury was minor, requiring only stitches, Zoe’s condition took a dramatic turn shortly after.
At first, her leg began to swell, causing concern for her parents, leading doctors to perform surgery to address the infection.
Cami revealed that doctors discovered an abscess during the operation, but despite their efforts, the swelling continued to worsen.
“It started to move up her leg and into her abdomen,” she explained.
Due to the severity of Zoe’s condition, she was life-flighted from Idaho Falls to Utah, where doctors had to remove skin from her belly button to her hip to treat the infection effectively.
In a tense moment, the medical team worried that Zoe might not survive the ordeal.
“They had to give her a whole bunch of blood, more than what a trauma patient from a serious accident would get,” her father, Paul Kartchner, stated.
Zoe was placed into a medically induced coma for ten days, unintentionally spending her 11th birthday in this state.
Her family has prepared a pile of gifts to give her once she feels well enough to appreciate them.
Since waking up from the coma, Zoe has exhibited a quieter demeanor, often looking out the window and expressing her longing to join family activities, such as watching fireworks on the Fourth of July.
The Kartchner family has learned to navigate this challenging chapter, understanding it is just the beginning of a lengthy recovery process.
On Tuesday, they announced that Zoe would be moving from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, beginning a new phase in her healing journey.
Another surgery is scheduled for Thursday, aimed at starting skin grafts to cover the exposed muscles along her ankle to belly button area.
Despite the daunting road ahead, her family has not received any estimates on how long Zoe’s recovery will take or when she will be able to return to her normal activities.
Community support has poured in from across Idaho and Utah, with many sending prayers and messages of encouragement that read, “Zoe Strong.”
Cami emphasized the importance of this support, stating, “I want Zoe to know how many people love her. I don’t ever want her to go a day in her life without knowing how many people care about her.”
In a show of solidarity, a boys’ soccer team from Idaho Falls donned “Zoe Strong” headbands during a tournament, and local residents have organized blood drives and T-shirt fundraisers to further support Zoe and her family.
While they are uncertain about the medical expenses they may face, the Kartchner family remains focused on prayer and faith for Zoe’s recovery.
Paul noted, “The thing we feel has been the most help is people’s thoughts and prayers.”
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