MWC Girl Fights E. Coli Infection

A Midwest City family has been spending much of their days at the hospital as a young girl fights off an E. coli infection.

Now, complications due to the infection are making her struggle even more difficult.

Sophia Lemieux is at the Children's Hospital fighting for her life, but nobody know how she contracted the infection.

She may look weak as her tiny body lies in a big hospital bed, but she is a fighter.

"We know she's strong,” her mother Keri Lemieux said.

The battle is fierce. Not only was Sophia diagnosed with E. coli, but now her kidneys are failing because of it.

"They have her on the dialysis to give her kidneys a chance to start functioning again," her mother said.

So far, Sophia has had three blood transfusions, one of them right before this interview. She was tuckered out.

"We're getting through it,” Lemieux said.

The symptoms started last week.

"On Thursday, after school, she came home complaining about sharp belly pains,” her mother said.

She stayed home sick from school Friday. Doctors told Sophia’s mother it was probably just a virus. Sophia had vomiting, diarrhea and fever.

Things weren't getting any better, and her family brought her to the emergency room at OU Medical Center where she's been ever since.

"There is no treatment for E. coli,” Lemieux said.

And there is really no way of knowing the exact cause that could stem from farm animals, petting zoos or uncooked meats, none of which Sophia came in contact with recently.

"We're hopeful that she'll make it without any issues,” her mother said. "I never realized how serious it was until now."

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with expenses. An account has also been set up at the Oklahoma Blood Institute to accept blood donations.