American woman, 28, suffers horrific medical emergency while on dream vacation... as she family face five-figure bill to bring her home

By JAMES GORDON, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 02:54, 20 June 2026 | Updated: 02:56, 20 June 2026 A healthy 28-year-old American woman's dream horseback riding vacation ended in a nightmare after she suffered a devastating stroke. Kalin Rytina, of Maryland, was returning from the trip to Guatemala with her boyfriend when she collapsed during a layover in Panama. She was admitted to intensive care after developing concerning neurological symptoms which turned out to be a stroke, leaving her stranded in a foreign hospital as her family races to bring her back to the United States. The young state employee remains hospitalized in Panama City with medical bills already approaching $45,000. The frightening ordeal began on June 7 while Rytina was traveling through Panama on a layover flight following her vacation. According to her family, the Eldersburg resident suddenly started losing consciousness, triggering an emergency medical response. Doctors found that she had suffered a stroke. Further testing also uncovered a blood clot, adding another dangerous complication to an already critical situation. Rytina is at the Pacífica Salud Hospital, where doctors have been closely monitoring her condition while her family remains at her bedside.  Kalin Rytina, 28, suffered a stroke while traveling home from a vacation in Guatemala and has spent nearly two weeks in a Panama City intensive care unit The Maryland woman was fit and healthy and enjoyed horseback riding during her trip before developing sudden neurological symptoms during a layover in Panama on June 7 Her father, Mike Rytina, and younger sister, Madi, rushed to Panama after learning of her hospitalization. The family says the experience has been overwhelming emotionally and financially. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Rytina's childhood friend Megan Wright has raised $38,000 so far and become a lifeline for the family as medical expenses continue to pile up. 'The costs associated with her care have already reached approximately $45,000 and continue to grow,' Wright wrote on the fundraiser. 'What started as an unexpected medical emergency has led to a series of tests, treatments, and new discoveries that continue to add to the financial burden.' Wright said doctors continue to learn more about Rytina's condition while additional treatment needs emerge. The fundraiser describes Rytina as a Maryland state employee who serves as a caregiver for multiple family members at home. 'At home, Kalin is a MD state employee as well as lives with and cares for her disabled mother, her grandmother, and her furbaby Axel,' Wright wrote. She added that Rytina has long been known for putting others first. Rytina's father, Mike, left, and younger sister, Madi, immediately flew to Panama to assist with medical decisions and support her recovery Dad, Mike Rytina, described it as 'really heartbreaking' watching his previously healthy daughter struggle to speak and eat after the medical emergency 'She is more often than not the one who takes care of others without being asked, shows up when someone needs help, and puts the needs of her family and friends before her own. 'Kalin's absence and current condition have left a significant gap in the daily support and stability her family relies on,' Wright wrote. Mike Rytina told The Baltimore Sun that his daughter had been healthy before the shocking diagnosis and that doctors still have not identified what caused the stroke. 'She was totally healthy,' he said. The uncertainty has only added to the anguish facing the family. 'It was really heartbreaking in the beginning, when your vibrant, young, healthy child is suddenly finding it hard to speak,' Mike Rytina told the newspaper. The family has also struggled with logistical challenges while navigating a medical crisis in a foreign country. Mike Rytina told the Sun that language barriers complicated communication with medical staff and that assistance from US officials was not what he had expected. 'The US Embassy in Panama has been zero help, to be honest with you,' he said. 'I thought they could help us out, being a US citizen and all.' However, a State Department spokesperson disputed the suggestion that the government had not assisted the family. Kalin's younger sister, Madi, is seen curling up next to her sibling in her hospital bed Kalin, second from right, is seen alongside friends and family  'Our US Embassy in Panama and Consular Services team in Washington DC have been in direct contact with the family of Kalin Rytina at this difficult time,' the spokesperson said in a statement provided to The Baltimore Sun. The spokesperson added that embassy officials had provided support and information regarding the services available to Americans hospitalized overseas. The Daily Mail also approached the embassy for comment Despite the hardship, there have been encouraging signs in recent days. In an update posted to the fundraiser on June 17, loved ones revealed that Rytina's condition continues to improve. 'Kalin continues to make progress each day,' the update said. According to her family, she is now taking medication orally instead of through an IV, eating solid foods and participating in physical therapy. The update also revealed that she has been able to get out of bed and walk around while recovering. Her latest scans reportedly showed a slight reduction in brain swelling, while doctors found no signs of bleeding or fluid buildup in her brain cavities. The family said Rytina has even managed to watch some of the World Cup from her hospital room. 'We are hopeful that she may be able to be transported back to the United States on Sunday,' the update said. 'She misses home very much and is looking forward to being closer to her loved ones.' Doctors discovered Rytina had suffered both a stroke and a blood clot, significantly complicating her medical condition Kalin Rytina, far right, is seen alongside her sister, Madi and another family member  The latest prognosis was looking better for Rytina, who has been up and watching the World Cup If doctors approve the transfer, the family hopes Rytina can return aboard a specialized medical transport aircraft and continue treatment at Baltimore's Sinai Hospital. The next phase of her recovery remains uncertain. Wright warned that doctors still do not know how much rehabilitation Rytina may ultimately require or when she will be able to fully resume her normal life. 'Although only 28, she continues to face many unknown challenges during this time and in the near future,' Wright wrote. 'More than anything, I just want my independent, resilient, compassionate best friend back. I want to see her continue the life she has worked so hard to build and return to the people who love her.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the State Department and US Embassy in Panama.   No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. 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