My name is Jonathan Blake Scott. I am 33 years old and was born in Boaz, Alabama. I am married to my wonderful wife Kayla, and have a 10 year old son named Riley. We currently reside in Baldwin County, AL. I am also a United States Coast Guard disabled veteran.
On July 21, 2008 I joined the United States Coast Guard. I joined the military to establish the best future for my family and to support and defend this great nation that I love. My wife had congestive heart failure, requiring a cardiac pacemaker, and joining the military was our best hope for stability and survival.
After completing basic training, I was assigned to the U.S.C.G. Cutter Barbara Mabrity home ported in Mobile, Al. Our primary mission was to inspect, service, and maintain aids to navigation stretching from Baton Rouge, LA to Apalachicola, FL.
Once I had become fully qualified aboard the ship, I was able to apply for “A” school which would lead me to the west coast. I received orders to Petaluma, CA where I would begin 27 weeks of Electronics Technician training in October 2009. I graduated from “A” school in May 2010 with the opportunity to come back to Mobile.
We moved back to Alabama in June 2010 where I would report to Electronics Support Detachment Unit in Mobile. At the ESD, we repaired vhf/uhf communication platforms, navigational radar systems, telecommunication systems, and computer networking. We serviced assets such as patrol boats, river tenders, aids to navigation teams, small boat stations, DGPS sites, and many other alike.
During this time I would begin to experience sever acid reflux and persistent vomiting after eating. Although I had these issues I was able to live a fairly normal life. After multiple attempts to reduce the amount of acid and nausea, I was recommended to have additional testing. During the testing I was found to have an upper hiatal hernia as well as sever erosion in my esophagus which would need surgery to be repaired. At that time I weighed 172lbs.
I had the first operation in September 2011 which was called a nissen fundoplication. My life was forever more changed. After the surgery I was unable to swallow food, and placed on a full liquid diet. I would have multiple procedures to stretch my esophagus out but I continued having dysphasia. After six months it was decided that I would need to have the procedure taken down and redone.
I would return for the second procedure in March 2012 weighing in at 134lbs. During the procedure the doctors found that my GE junction and esophagus had adhered together causing me to be unable to swallow. They would also find that my stomach muscles had little to no motility. I was then diagnosed with idiopathic gastroparesis, which would require me to need a gastric stimulator implanted.
In August of 2012, I would return for a third procedure for the stimulator implantation. It was helpful, but would not be enough to sustain on my own. My body did not have the ability breakdown our store any of the nutrients that it got. After three months of deliberation, I would be placed on an IV feeding tube.
I would remain on TPN for the next six months 24 hours a day 7 days a week. During the six months I was hospitalize three times with staph infections with dangerously high fevers. During this time I was preparing for the fourth procedure. My body had to become more stable before they could operate.
In March 2012 I had a procedure that would allow my pylorus muscle to remain open so any food that entered my stomach would no longer sit and rot. At this time the doctors would also relocate my stimulator in a more operable position. I would soon be placed off of TPN due to another infection. After a full medical review, I was medically discharged from service in October 2013.
After three years I’m still hanging on. Although things have gotten better, I still remain very ill. My disease brings new challenges each and every day for our family. Due to my disease my body doesn’t utilize or store any nutrients. I remain with the nausea and vomiting. It has made me become a diabetic with my glucose levels dropping with no warning and left me currently weighing 120 pounds. My bones have become very weak and brittle and are at high risk for fracture. Our expectation at this point is going back on TPN to help build muscle mass and increase my weight.
We are currently awaiting the arrival of our next family member, my diabetic alert service dog. My service dog will be my team mate and best friend. He will be able to detect any drop in my glucose levels 10 minutes prior to an attack. Having him will mean that I will be able to move more freely through the day without being so worried on when the next attack comes. He will never leave my side. He is also fully trained to help with my PTSD, anxiety, depression, and mobility assistance. Having him will also allow my wife and child to become at ease and not worry so much about me. We are ready for the next chapter in life to come!
We are greatly thankful for all the help and support. Please help by sharing our story to all of your family, friends, co-workers, and any who would be interested in helping. No stone left unturned. Thanks and God bless!