Elissa Darrow – ICU Hospital Updates
Thank you for stopping by this page to check on the medical updates of Elissa Darrow. We will list the most recent updates at the top of this page.
Update Sept. 29, 2021
We were holding off on an update because we were hoping to post something positive. Unfortunately there have been several set-backs these past 10 days.
We are all staying hopeful, but it is taking a toll on my mom. To be honest, it is taking a toll on all of us. Everyone’s support during this time has been amazing. Each day is a battle and she is getting tired. We need her to stay strong.
Please keep sending all your positive energy her way and continue to send cards, messages, email HERE. and txt her. We want to lift her spirits.
She has enjoyed reading the cards and opening the care packages you have sent.
If you would like to send a card, you can drop off or mail it to
Angels Community Outreach
c/o Elissa Darrow
334 South Broadway
Pitman NJ 08071
We are taking it day by day. Thank you all so much for reaching out… It means the world to our family during this difficult time. My sisters and I are also making sure we take care of our personal mental health. If you text us and we do not reply, please know we are seeing your messages and appreciate how much everyone cares. It’s just hard to respond to everybody.
The Darrow’s
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Elissa Update Sept. 18th, 2021-
Last night was a tough night. Headaches and low oxygen levels. I just don’t want to end up back in the hospital. Meet my Therapist- Licorice has been at my side non stop. Ignore how glamorous I look in this photo but this little girl has been taking such good care of me. She lays across my chest and just purrs. I love all the attention she is giving me.❤️🐾 Animals just know how to provide comfort and therapeutic care. Harry, who used to be so loving, is scared of my oxygen. This is the look I get when I get too close to him. He still seems to mosey on by to check on me but no rubs allowed I guess until no oxygen. 🤷🏻♀️ Another thing to motivate me to get off the oxygen so I can hold and cuddle my boy again.
When you touch a cat with your spirit, in return they touch your soul with their heart.
Also Big thanks to Kelly, James, and Heather. They are a group of fabulous neighbors/friends that wanted to do something special for me once I got home from the hospital. They are working on making the porch my little oasis! I am not sure every thing they have in store but Leah had 2 rocking chairs
(assembled by Stephanie W. -thanks!) shipped to me and Mark (MAJ Painting) is here power washing. Everyone has been so kind to me. 💜 From the cards, meals to dropping off gift baskets/goodie bags and even flowers! I am humble… **I am not used to all of this. I really do not know them that well. But each told me how I was there for them when they needed someone so they wanted to return the favor. -E
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Sept 14, 2021
Elissa Update Sept. 14th, 2021- I have officially been home for a little over a week! And I can finally take 15 steps without stopping! It takes me 2 stops to get to the bathroom. BAM! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I will be posting that status.
I want to take a moment to say thank you and give you a little update. Going through this has been complete hell. COVID-19 affects everybody so differently. I’m really not ready to talk about what I went through at the hospital. I’m so emotional every time I think about it. The nurses weren’t sure I was going to make it out I was one of the lucky ones that got to go home.
It might sound corny but honestly this was my aha moment. My life is half over and I want to live the second half of my life differently. I laid in the bed not able to move, but hearing everything around me. When I’m ready I will talk more about it but I just can’t do it now.
Sometimes things happen for a reason. And I think maybe me being slowed down is going to be a good thing for Angels. It is going to give me a chance to do all the behind-the-scenes things that I wanted to do for a long time. No I’m not going to push myself too much. My top priority is ME… getting strong and healthy again. I feel working on something is so important for me. It will keep my mind off things and it will give me purpose. Plus I love helping people. It makes me so happy to see that my Purple Power Team stepped right up and continued to run Angels without me and did not shut down. I love seeing everything that we’re doing right now to help those in or community. and that we didn’t just shut down.
I can’t say enough amazing things about the Doctors, Nurses and staff Jefferson Health – New Jersey Washington Twp. Hospital. I have so many stories to share with you.
I have a long recovery ahead of me. Covid has damaged my lungs. I have shortness of breath can not breath without oxygen and I have very little strength extremely fatigued. I’m having a hard time keeping my oxygen levels high and if I move they dropped dramatically. Someday just to look at txt message, email or FB exhausts me. But I LOVE seeing them, they motivate me. Some days I have horrible headaches and sleep most the day. I also have what they call Covid brain fog. It is hard to explain but I feel like my life is in a loop. It has affected my short term memory.
We have all kinds of therapy and an exercise plan to keep me mobile. My spirometer is my best friend! As I get stronger I will post more. Send me all your positive energy and keep motivating me because some days are harder than others.
-Elissa
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Sept 10, 2021
Elissa Darrow- Angels Community Outreach Director Update – Sept. 10th, 2021. We finally had an appointment with one of my mom’s doctor and got the ball rolling on several other appointments that need to take place. They were able to get us an expedited, emergency appointment with a pulmonologist this Monday, September 13th. Katelyn and Lindsay have moved home to New Jersey for the next several months to assist with mom’s care.
Brenna– Will be handling most of the tasks for Angel Community Outreach, our family’s nonprofit founded in 2009. Since my mom typically runs things, we’re all stepping up to make sure the mission still continues at this time. Brenna will be addressing mom only when needed, as her top priority is to rest.
Lindsay will physically be at Angels Community Outreach every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday 8:30-12:30 with her list of duties. She will mostly be at the front counter to cover things as donors come in.
Katelyn is helping more with the medical end of things for my mom. She will be present on Saturdays when possible. Also, Katelyn works two full-time, remote jobs M-F, so she will try to assist with Angels when she is able to outside of her work hours.
Mom has her good days and her bad days. She is 100% on oxygen and is still extremely weak/winded. Over the next two months she needs to concentrate on getting strong, doing physical therapy and hopefully weaning herself off the oxygen. As mom gets stronger, Brenna will be working on projects/ideas with her. She does want to work on Angels “stuff” as she gets stronger it’s a good distraction and is good for her mental health. Plus she loves helping people and that will make her smile knowing that we’re continuing to carry on. Nothing warms her heart more than helping people.
Furthermore, many of you have been reaching out asking how you can help or for care package ideas, which is such a sweet gesture!
Below we have made a list of some ideas.
**Her favorites / Gift item ideas**
Mom’s favorite candy Swedish Fish
She likes pumpkin bread / zucchini bread
Mom loves candles
She Loves Wonder Woman and P!nk
Her favorite color is Purple
Adult coloring books
Colored pencils / markers
Flowers to brighten her room
Cards- she has enjoyed reading the cards or us reading the cards to her
K-Cups (Mom LOVES her coffee!!)
She likes to play Animal Crossing, so if you would like to share your user name, I’m sure when she gets stronger she would love to play with you. You can send us your username and what game system you have, and we’ll add you to her friends list!
**Gift Cards**
Target
Food Store
Spotify (this is what she uses to listen to music)
Amazon Kindle (she loves to read)
Apple gift card for her iPad
Meal prep company gift card – Hello Fresh, Blue Apron ect.
Any local restaurant
GrubHub
DoorDash
You can also send her encouraging emails HERE.
We are thinking about doing some kind of fundraiser / online auction to continue to raise money to cover medical costs and daily bills/mortgage. Mom will not be able to work for an extended period of time. If anyone has ideas, please txt me at (856) 625-8652 or email us HERE.
If you are going to donate financially, please make checks out directly to Elissa Darrow; this makes it easier for us to deposit it into her account to pay her bills and expenses.
Another way to help is simply sharing our GoFundMe link with your community and on social media. This is where we will continue to update mom’s progress. And it will possibly give others a chance to donate.
We will pin mom’s update to the top of the Angels Community Outreach Facebook page, so please continue to check to see how her recovery process is going!
Again, thank you all so much for reaching out. It means so much to our family during this difficult time. My sisters and I are also making sure we take care of our personal mental health. If you txt us and we do not return the txt, please know we are seeing your messages and appreciate how much everyone cares. It’s just hard to respond to everybody.
-Angels Community Outreach
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Sept 5th, 2021
MEAL TRAIN INFO-
Elissa Update Sept. 5th, 2021- BIG HAPPY NEWS- My mom is home! My sisters have arranged for my mom to recover at home; the 3 of us will be taking care of my mom full-time so she does not need to be admitted to a physical rehab facility.
People have asked how to help us, and we thought this meal train will greatly help our family at this time. At least we will not have to worry about meals and taking care of my mom at the same time. She still cannot breath on her own and on supplemental oxygen therapy and she is not mobile. She is also dealing with Covid fog/memory loss. The neurological effects are present. She will have a very long recovery and rehabilitation ahead. It is going to be an extensive process that will require continued physical therapy and a variety of healing modalities.
At this time we are reaching out for help. The recovery is not just physical, it’s financial. We are all mentally drained and need to rest and help mom become strong again.
She is Wonder Woman so I have no doubt she can do it! We will update everyone as we can, but please be patient with us or check the Angel Facebook page. We will pin updates to the top of the page. It means a lot to us that so many are checking in on us. If we do not respond right away you will know why.
The biggest way you can help right now is by sharing this meal train link.
We will update the meal train as needed.
Angels Community Outreach is open, up and running 100%. My sisters and I have stepped up and we have an awesome Purple Power Team that will keep everything running. I know this is something that is very important to my mother. And when she is strong enough she will be able to work from home on the backend of stuff. It will be quite some time before she will physically be able to do anything but we have our Purple Power Team that is in place and working hard. My mom lives to spread kindness and make people smile so it even seems more important we continue to carry this out.
Besides my 2 sisters and I, she has 4 healing fur babies that are already helping her mend.
Thank you everyone! Keep sending all your positive energy her way and continue to send cards, message, email and text her. It truly lifts her spirits!
-Brenna
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Sept 4, 2021
PLEASE SHARE- Thank you NBC10 Philadelphia! Many of you know that our Director, Elissa Darrow is in the ICU/Hospital fighting Covid-19 on a breathing tube. Please send all your positive energy to her. Angels Community Outreach is fully open and running. Our PURPLE POWER TEAM is ready to give a HAND UP to those in need. WATCH HERE!
Questions? Please text 856-625-8652.
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Aug 29, 2021
Hi, this is Brenna Elissa’s daughter.
**Elissa Update Sun Aug 29**
Just a quick update. Mom did not have a good night last night. She continues to struggle to keep her oxygen levels up. Please keep sending those good vibes, thoughts etc.
-Brenna
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Aug 28, 2021
Hi everyone 👋 This is Katelyn Darrow. My Mom wanted me to relay this message on her behalf… 💜
Message from Elissa (director of Angels Community Outreach) –
I want to take a moment to tell you a few things. It has taken me over a day to try to write this because I’m so exhausted, weak and I have very little strength. Seeing your messages and encouragement has helped me immensely. I can’t express what I have been through. I will have to do that another time. The last three weeks has turned my life upside down. I became sick coughing and immediately went and had a Covid test, which came back negative. A few days later I got worse… went for another Covid test, again came back negative. I went to Urgent Care because my Doctor is still not seeing patients in person. Urgent care confirmed I had bronchitis and I again tested negative for Covid. I went home with meds only to extremely worsen over the next 24 hours. The bronchitis had now turned into pneumonia. I found myself not even able to stand, breathe or walk. Big thanks to Brenna for watching over me!! I went to the ER and found out that the Bronchitis had been significantly taken over with pneumonia. I truly don’t remember much after that. I was in and out of consciousness not sure what was even going on around me. I was laying in a bed hearing horrible things around me. Being asked my last wishes. My chest so heavy I could not breathe. At this point I was so weak I had now contracted Covid. Covid took over my lungs. I couldn’t breathe anymore and I was put on a breathing tube. The questions I was asked I never thought I would have to deal with. The Doctors and Nurses have been absolutely wonderful. So many humiliating and humbling situations that they made so easy for me. I’m just learning to sit up in bed now and I am still on a high force breathing tube. I have very little lung capacity. I have a very long recovery ahead. I am so happy to say I have been moved to a step down ICU bed. Your good vibes and messages are helping me be strong and fight hard. I have always been a healthy person and I don’t really get sick. I’ve only been in the hospital to have my children so this all through me for a huge loop. I have so much more to say but I’m too exhausted to put it into words at this time. Please continue to send me all your good vibes this way. I’ve been through Domestic Violence and beat so much sadness and turmoil in my past. So many hard battles. I AM Wonder Woman and I WILL fight this and WIN! If you know me, you know I am extremely set in my ways and I do not take no for an answer. I’m going to take little baby steps and I will get there! Laying in the bed in and out of consciousness I just kept playing the Wonder Woman stance, song and episodes over and over again in my head because I’ve always been obsessed with Wonder Woman Lynda Carter! I am also obsessed with P!nk She has a newer song out with her daughter Willow called “Cover Me In Sunshine”. I played that song over and over again in my head all day laying in bed not able to move. It reminded me of the Special Bond I have with my three girls. They ARE MY WORLD!! And of course I played in my head P!nk’s song “Raise Your Glass”. One of my favorites! This is all I can muster up right now.
-Elissa “AKA Wonder Woman” has this! I have too many crazy things on my Bucket List I need to check off yet✅ -BAM💙💛♥️! I miss my fur babies something fierce❤️🐾.
Please remember you can still get Covid if you have the Vaccine.
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Aug 25, 2021
Thank you so much to everyone who is sending Elissa texts, emails, Facebook messages, etc… even if she is unable to respond right now, we have been reading her all the comments over FaceTime, and it has been lifting her spirits tremendously. Please continue to send positive messages and well wishes!
Additionally, if anyone would like to send a card, we welcome that! 📫💌 While she is still in the ICU, we want to plan for best case scenario – which is that she will come home! We would love to have cards to read her once she is eventually discharged from the hospital. If you feel called to send a card, please mail it to 334 South Broadway, Pitman NJ 08071.
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Aug 25, 2021
Hi everyone this is Brenna posting to my Moms page. I want to say thank you to anyone that has been txting, emailing or sending my mom Elissa Facebook messages. She may not be responding BUT she is seeing them and it is really lifting her spirits tremendously to see you are taking the time to even just txt, email or FB message hello. Honestly it really does help her. Keep it up! And if you have not sent her a message and would like to please feel free to do so. You can txt her, send her a Facebook message or email her HERE.
-Brenna
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Aug 22, 2021
Many people are reaching out and asking for updates at this time; unfortunately there is not any new information to share.
Elissa is still in ICU, and her oxygen levels are unstable. While she isn’t able to verbally communicate too much, we have been FaceTiming her everyday. We’ve also been reading her all the well wishes, and I think it’s the one thing that is lifting her spirits right now. She is not able to have any visitors in the ICU at the moment, as she needs to stabilize over the next few days. We have so much gratitude for those who have donated to medical expenses, shared kind words with us, and asked about our mom’s condition. As soon as there is an update, we will share it.
I’m feeling mentally drained at the moment and have not had the energy to respond to everyone. But I appreciate all of the messages I have been receiving 💜🙏
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Aug 22, 2021
UPDATE ON ELISSA — Many people are reaching out and asking for updates at this time; unfortunately there is not any new information to share.
Elissa is still in ICU, and her oxygen levels are unstable. While she isn’t able to verbally communicate too much, we have been FaceTiming her everyday. We’ve also been reading her all the well wishes, and I think it’s the one thing that is lifting her spirits right now. She is not able to have any visitors in the ICU at the current moment, as she needs to stabilize over the next few days. We have so much gratitude for those who have donated to medical expenses (if you feel compelled, here is the link), shared kind words with us, and asked about our mom’s condition. As soon as there is new information, we will share it. We’ll also attempt to respond to comments + questions when we can, but the top priority is caring for our mother at this time. Thank you again for all the love and support.💜
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Aug 20, 2021
If you’re following this Angels Community Outreach page, you probably know my mother, Elissa Darrow! She has been running Angels alongside me since I started the organization back in 2009 — and after I moved to California for college in 2015, she continued running the organization; it’s become her heart and soul. She is constantly helping others, and for those who know Elissa, she never asks for anything in return. She gives and gives and gives, and puts her own needs aside.
My sisters and I wanted to fill you in on what’s been going on with our mom. I don’t know where to start with this, and it feels extremely weird / uncomfortable to ask for help; but my mom has been in the ICU this past week with no foreseeable end in sight.
As some of you may be aware, my mom was originally admitted into the hospital with bronchitis, which then turned to pneumonia; she has blood clots on her lungs, and her oxygen levels are still extremely low, even after days of treatment. She has sepsis and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, and is truly fighting for her life.
My heart hurts, knowing there’s a possibility she may not recover – and if she does, she won’t be the same (at least for a long time, as the road to recovery will be an arduous one). She is bedridden, unable to speak and has short term-memory loss, is unaware of where she is, and the list goes on.
Right now, I’m baring my soul to the greatest degree + uttering more prayers than I ever have in my life. I know my mom’s post-care rehabilitation and road to recovery will be an extensive process that will require continued physical therapy and a variety of healing modalities. The cost of her care + other living expenses are beginning to add up and are already exceeding her medical insurance, in addition to the financial resources that my sisters and I are able to provide. I have come back from California at this time and am in New Jersey now to care for these matters, and it’s with the utmost humility + gratitude that we’re reaching out for help. Even if you cannot contribute financially, any form of support is appreciated right now. Kind/uplifting messages, silly memes, a link to a video that made you laugh one time… truly, anything. We appreciate you, as we attempt to navigate this unchartered, uphill journey with our mom. Thanks for being patient with us in this process.
If you do feel inclined to donate and are in the position to do so, I am linking all the information below. My sisters and I are managing her Venmo and Paypal, and all financial contributions will be going towards my mom’s medical bills and hopeful recovery / rehabilitation costs.
Venmo ➡️ @ElissaDarrow
Paypal ➡️ to ElissaDarrow
GoFundMe ➡️ HERE
-Katelyn, Lindsay, Brenna
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Aug 19, 2021
Not really sure where to begin with this, but my mom Elissa Darrow is having severe health problems right now. She was admitted into the hospital earlier this week and now has been moved into the intensive care unit. She was originally admitted into the hospital with bronchitis, which has turned to pneumonia; she has blood clots on her lungs, and her oxygen levels are extremely low even after days of treatment. Right now they have her on the highest dose of forced oxygen without having to intubate her. The doctors are going to wait 24-48 hours before deciding to intubate or not (if they intubate, that basically means she’ll be on a breathing tube and won’t be able to speak). Please send all good vibes… I don’t have the mental energy to engage in anything at this time; so if I’m slow to reply (or simply don’t reply at all), please know I love you and appreciate youu! I feel incredibly lucky to have the support system that I do. 🥺 My mom is truly the strongest person I know. She was a single mom when I was growing up, raising my two sisters and I completely on her own after an abusive relationship. She is my absolute role model, and it’s beyond heartbreaking to see her in this position. I’ll be going back to New Jersey sometime this weekend to be with my sisters & make decisions from there. I can’t find the right words to express what’s in my head or heart, and this is just a shout into the void… but thanks for reading, thanks for caring. ❤️🩹 -Katelyn
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Aug 19, 2021
Mom Update Thursday August 19th-
My mom is worsening, they have her on the highest dose of forced oxygen without having to put a tube in. They are giving it 24 hours before taking the next drastic step. Please send all good vibes etc. Mom says she has seen your text messages and Facebook messages but she is too weak to respond. My sister Katelyn will be flying home from Los Angeles to Jersey to help with everything and to be closer when all of this is going on. Thank you everyone!
Brenna Darrow💓
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Aug 18, 2021
Hi this is Brenna Darrow, Elissa’s daughter. Thank you for all your concern! I’ve gotten a few txt message about my mom’s condition. She is in the ICU at this time. Once we get more information and she wants it shared, we will do that. My mom is a very private person about certain things. A lot of tests are still up in the air – once things are finalized and we know more, I will post an update with her permission. I can share that her bronchitis has turned to pneumonia and oxygen levels extremely low. Again, thank you so much for your concerns and everyone who has been helping at Angels! My sisters appreciate all of you. We will be postponing the Angels Back To School Event and we will announce the date once my mother’s health gets better.
Thank you again- Brenna!
