Emotional Send-off for a Rock Hill Mom at a Pennsylvania Hospital

Healthcare Professionals Line-up for an Emotional Farewell

Doctors and nurses at a Pennsylvania hospital joined in a touching and emotional send-off for a Rock Hill mom earlier this week. Ciara Dierking, who was rushed into the hospital in critical condition in late December 2023, had spent more than a month under intensive care while her condition remained unstable.

A continuous streak of prayers from the family, combined with an extraordinary effort from the medical staff, helped Ciara survive this challenging period. After last week, it was decided that she would be airlifted to a specialized hospital in Charlotte for further treatment.

The staff at the Pennsylvania hospital lined the hallways, providing an emotional farewell to Ciara and her family. A wave of emotions washed over David Dierking, Ciara’s husband, as he embraced the medical staff, leaving the hospital where his wife fought for her life for over a month.

The Unforeseen Incident

Ciara along with her husband, David, and their two sons, Colton and Jackson, had traveled to Pennsylvania to visit their family during the Christmas holidays of 2023. When Colton fell ill there, he was taken to urgent care. He tested positive for both the coronavirus and strep infection, which required surgery after discovering two abscesses in his neck. Fortunately, he is recovering well.

However, Ciara also fell ill during the trip and was admitted to a hospital where she was diagnosed with Influenza B, group A Strep, and Pneumonia. Doctors discovered her body was in septic shock as the toxins got into her bloodstream. Ciara was put on life support, and at one point, the prognosis looked bleak. The medication required to save her life led to the removal of her arms and legs.

Miraculous Recovery

As of this Monday, Ciara’s condition has noticeably improved — a result friends and family say is nothing short of a miracle. She has been taken off life support, her kidneys are functioning again, and she is scheduled for a procedure to assist her right lung, which had been leaking air. Through it all, Ciara has managed to maintain her faith and optimistic disposition during this unimaginable journey.

“We’ve seen many miracles along the way. I hope that she will continue to have a great attitude and just let God use her in this situation. I believe God had a purpose, and hopefully she can touch a lot of lives through her ordeal. That’s really what I hope for her, that she can help others because of what she’s been through”, says Brenda Smith, Ciara’s mother.

Unwavering Support from the Community

The solidarity and support from the Rock Hill community, their church, and the kind residents of Pennsylvania have been invaluable. A Go Fund Me page created by the family to aid with Ciara’s escalating medical expenses has managed to raise close to $120,000. The page ‘Ciara & Colton Updates’ has also been set up to keep well-wishers informed about their progress and recovery, and the community is encouraged to follow the journey.