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Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation | ECMO

ELSO Patient & Family Support Resources

Welcome to the ELSO Patient & Family Support page. ELSO provides resources and community for those that are, or have been, impacted by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and related technologies and services. We hope to complement resources that may be available through health systems and other means, while also creating a space to offer support for patients and families.

This information is not to be used in place of what your doctor says. Please know that your situation may be different than others that your see on this page

What is ECMO?

What is ECMO?

Research Corner for Patient & Family Support

Research Corner for Patient & Family Support

Extracorporeal Life Support | ECMO

Patients’ Emotional Stories of Surviving with ECMO and ECLS Support

View stories from the loved ones of patients and patients themselves who were treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS). These emotional stories drive home the fear, pain and ultimate relief that many patients experience through life-saving extracorporeal support.

Jay's Story

After 24 h in the emergency room (ER), my first reaction when the doctor said they finally had an intensive care unit (ICU) bed was relief. I didn’t know enough (or wasn’t thinking clearly enough) to fully appreciate what that meant. We arrived at the ER on a Sunday night, with Jay battling what turned out to be “impressive” pneumonia in both lungs. I had walked by a group of ER doctors huddled around an X-ray that was all white. I didn’t realize until later that it was Jay’s.

Wh...

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Tonia's Emergency

Tonia Elrod is the epitome of success and hope.

Story credit to Matt Martin

The Procter & Gamble executive has worked hard to achieve great accomplishments in her career. She lives a happy life with her husband, Adam, and their three children—Caden, Gavin and Maley.

But on Feb. 2, 2019, her life would take a turn in a direction she could never have imagined.

Despite appearing healthy and active, the 45-year-old suffered a massive heart at...

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Ariel's Story

“Yes, like the Little Mermaid,” she laughs, expecting the Disney movie reference that has come her way for the past two decades. However, since her birth the 22-year old’s identity has been immersed in something much more meaningful than anything under the sea. Just ask Ivor Berkowitz, the pediatric intensivist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center who remembers the “come urgently” call from a fellow in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) like it was yest...

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Explore All Patient Stories

 

Explore All Patient Stories

Contribute Your Story

If you would like to send us your story or to ask a question, please contact us.?

Family@elso.org

ELSO ECMO Patients & Families

 

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