Maryland Woman Stranded in Panama After Stroke

A Maryland resident, Kalin Rytina, is facing a critical medical situation in Panama after suffering a stroke while traveling home from a vacation in Guatemala with her boyfriend. Initially experiencing disorientation and nausea, her condition worsened significantly upon reaching Panama, necessitating immediate hospitalization.

Doctors diagnosed Rytina with two blood clots in her neck arteries, leading to the stroke. She has been in the hospital for over a week, with her family deeply involved in coordinating her care and awaiting assistance from the U.S. embassy. The medical bills have rapidly accumulated, exceeding $45,000, as her insurance has not yet been accepted.

Community support has been substantial, with an online fundraiser generating over $24,000 and neighbors providing aid. Rytina's family is working to arrange her transfer to a U.S. hospital, with recommendations for facilities in Houston, Texas, or Miami, Florida, due to concerns about the feasibility of a direct flight back to Baltimore.

Kalin Rytina is also a primary caregiver for her disabled and chronically ill mother. This current crisis has created a role reversal, with her family now stepping in to care for her during this challenging time.