American Woman Trapped in Greek Hospital for Over a Month after Cancer Diagnosis
By Alexandra Klausner
Published on Sep. 22, 2023, 4:51 p.m. ET
An American woman named Sandra Gutierrez traveled to Crete, Greece, in late August to attend a wedding and enjoy some sightseeing with her sister. However, what was supposed to be a joyful trip quickly turned into a nightmare when Gutierrez discovered bruises on her arms and legs shortly after arrival, as reported by Today.com.
With a history of anemia, Gutierrez initially dismissed the bruises as nothing serious. However, a friend who works as a physician’s assistant advised her to undergo a blood test as a precautionary measure. The test revealed that the 43-year-old had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer.
To make matters worse, Gutierrez found herself trapped in a hospital far away from home. Due to her condition, she was at risk of developing a fatal brain or lung hemorrhage, which would have been exacerbated by the pressure in an airplane cabin, making it impossible for her to leave Greece.
“The shocking thing was (they said), ‘You can’t leave at all. You cannot leave because you will hemorrhage. You cannot even go to Athens right now,'” Gutierrez explained. “There are certain things my body has to do before they can say I can safely go back (home) on a commercial flight.”
Gutierrez anticipates being in Greece for at least a month, as acute lymphoblastic leukemia requires immediate in-hospital treatment for better outcomes. However, her inability to travel has left her with significant medical expenses to bear in a foreign hospital.
Despite her insurance denying direct coverage for the medical costs, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist Gutierrez in paying for her treatment. At present, she has raised over $98,000 of her $200,000 goal. Gutierrez expressed feeling like she has been thrust into a foreign country with a different medical system.
Not being able to attend her friend’s wedding or take the planned side trips with her sister has been particularly heartbreaking for Gutierrez. She had suffered from a two-week-long period before traveling to Crete, but attributed it to irregular periods in the past. The bruises she discovered after a bachelorette party prompted her to seek medical attention.
Besides her bone marrow cancer, Gutierrez was also diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulation, which causes blood clotting. Fortunately, the doctors were able to treat it. Once her platelets return to normal levels, she will be able to return home, likely in late September. She will begin chemotherapy treatment in Greece and hopes to complete her treatment with Dr. Gail Roboz, a leukemia specialist at New York Presbyterian, when she returns home.
Gutierrez’s story serves as a reminder for everyone to pay attention to their bodies and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. “Slow down and really (listen) to your body. I wasn’t slowing down enough,” she advised.
To support Sandra Gutierrez and contribute to her medical expenses, visit her GoFundMe page.