Anonymous Donor Brings Laura Beckett Home

RSA patient was stuck in German hospital after developing MRSA infection

By DAWN TIMMENEY

Updated 12:14 AM EST, Fri, Jan 30, 2009

As the air ambulance carrying his sick wife touched down at Atlantic Aviation at the airport, Karl Beckett still couldn't believe the love of his life was home.

This was the moment he had been praying for the last three months.

"We’ve never been apart since we've been together. This is the first time we've ever been apart. Thanksgiving, Christmas, all that, it was just horrible," Beckett said.

Laura Beckett had been stuck in a German hospital since November where she developed a debilitating infection while being treated for RSD, a painful nervous system disorder.

Her family, unable to pay more than $71,000 for an air ambulance to bring her home, turned to NBC10.
An anonymous viewer came to the Beckett's aid, and so did many other generous people.

"You always see it on TV but you never realize stuff like this does happen," Beckett said.
Karl and the couple’s two sons were there as the plane doors opened.Laura’s son Karl said his emotions ran the gamut as he saw the plane come in.

“A little bit of everything. Mixed emotions, excited, happy, a little sad, my heart was racing. I just want her to get her the proper care she needs," said Laura’s son Karl.

The couple's daughter Jillian, who was on the plane and has been by her mother’s side, was overcome with emotion.

The family can't believe so many people, friends and strangers, came forward to help them.

"I had a gentleman come to the door and anonymously give me a check. It was amazing,” said Karl Beckett.

Craig Poliner of Med Escort worked with the anonymous donor and coordinated Laura’s trip home.

"This is something that doesn't happen every day and so it is it's quite remarkable that somebody stepped up...one of your viewers and we were able to get her home,” Poliner said.

"[The donor] hasn't come forward yet, but when he does I’m gonna give him the biggest hug in the world," Karl Jr. said.

Laura can't speak or move her legs or arms, but she knows that she's back home.

The flight crew said everything went smoothly on the return.

She was immediately taken to a local hospital where doctors will re-assess her condition.

Of course we'll keep you posted.

Trapped in a Medical Nightmare

NJ woman travels to Germany for banned medical treatment, ends up fighting for her life!

By KATHIE MCDERMOTT

Updated 12:20 PM EST, Thu, Jan 22, 2009

Family Photo

Laura Beckett suffers from RSD which produces extreme pain. She traveled to Germany with hopes of relieving that pain through a procedure that is banned in the United States.

Karl Beckett of Magnolia, NJ is forced to talk to his wife Laura through an Internet connection. That’s because she's been in a German hospital since November 1st.

“Hi hon, I love you. Stick your tongue out and let Jill know you can hear me. You need you to hang in there and keep fighting," Beckett tells his wife via the video-conference.nig

Laura suffers from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), a nervous system disorder leading to constant and extreme pain.

"She would actually start crying in pain…basically had to crawl upstairs,” Beckett said.

Laura ended up in a German hospital because the treatment she hoped would relieve her pain is banned in the U.S.

Called “Special K,” doctors give large amounts of the anesthetic Ketamine to induce a five-day coma.

Karl says local doctor Robert Schwartzman suggested the trip.

"He said the treatment in Germany was the only hope of getting her any relief.”

But then, Laura’s family says she developed a MRSA staph infection two days into her treatment.

MRSA is resistant to many antibiotics and Beckett said it has caused so much damage that now Laura can't use her arms or legs. She also needs help breathing and can't talk.

Their 23-year-old daughter Jillian is in Germany with her mom and sends video home.

Dr. Schwartzman declined an interview, but said through a spokeswoman that the German coma cure is offered as an option for those who have not benefited from other treatments.

He said nothing like this has ever happened before and that his office is doing everything possible on behalf of Laura.

Karl says he doesn't blame anyone but is unprepared for getting his wife home.

An air ambulance would cost over $71,000 -- money the laid-off heating and air conditioning worker says he doesn’t have.

He says a generous acquaintance paid about $41,000 for the Ketamine treatment, but that money has run out.

Karl says Laura’s absence is hardest on their youngest son.

Laura has medical insurance, but it won't cover the cost of getting her back to South Jersey. So the family remains stuck in medical limbo with no idea how or when they'll get Laura home.

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