Donation protected
On November 28, 2018 Julien Fitzgerald had a hemorrhagic carnal brain stroke which resulted in a car accident in Omaha NE. As a result of this tragic event, Julien has been left in a fight and climb for his life. He was admitted to the ICU at Bergan Mercy Hospital.
While in the ICU at Bergan, Julien was alert and talkative and although affected by the stroke, still his sarcastic, funny and loving self.
December 12, 2018 , Julien would say his last word and almost lose his life on December 13, 2018. Due to a feeding tube being inserted incorrectly, Julien aspirated which resulted in developing pneumonia leading to the ultimate fight for his life.
Julien was placed on a ventilator where he would spend the next 90 days fighting for his life. He was transferred to Select Specialty Hospital in Omaha. Julien developed a series of illnesses and infections, including a 5 cm bed sore as a result of not being turned or tended to properly, during this time.
As a result of being on the ventilator, Julien's physical and neurological health continued to decline. Doctors didn't give Julien much of a chance to recover let alone survive. Neurologists found Julien still had some fluid and swelling on his brain which at the time they felt it would subside.
By the grace of God and the prayers of many, Julien started showing improvement and was taken off the ventilator on February 6, 2019 and with little assistance started breathing room air on his own. He started physical therapy right away.
Julien's recovery continued, but was slowed by a number of illnesses, infections and critical health issues. As a result of getting pneumonia for the fourth time, doctors placed Julien back on the ventilator and his health started to decline again.
On February 27, 2019 , Julien defeated pneumonia once again and was off the ventilator for the last time! Neurologically he started making small improvements. He started moving his left hand and his right side, that had some paralysis, started to get some movement back. He started tracking with his eyes and grasping with his fingers. Neurologically he still wasn't progressing like Doctors hoped he would be.
March 27, 2019 by God's will, Julien mouthed his first words, 'ouch' during physical therapy. He continued to show progress on his own timeline.
Julien's family prayed that he would be able to continue to his recovery at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln. Prayers were answered and Julien was approved for transport to Madonna on April 3, 2019.
On April 8, 2019 Julien became a resident of Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and began his long painful road to recovery. He began to move and wiggle his toes and move his arms. His medical team had him sitting up in a chair on day 1. Then on April 10, 2019 he sat in a wheelchair and we took him outside for the first time since the accident. It was a bright sunny day, so bright that he had a hard time opening his eyes but he smiled a huge smile!
May 6, 2019 Julien aspirated due to his inability to digest the food being given to him via his feeding tube. He was transported to Bryan LGH where he was treated for his 6th round of pneumonia. The medical team at Bryan were able to treat Julien and after a week, he was transferred back to Madonna.
While at Madonna, Julien has began to make small improvements but the road to recovery will be long and the chance Julien will every be able to live or take care of himself is unlikely.
Our family continues to pray and the strain and toll it has taken on our family words cannot even begin to describe. We continue to pray and are blessed that everyday Julien opens his eyes, it's one more day we have him in our lives.
Our mother Cynthia is 75 years old and has been by Julien's bed side everyday since November 28, 2019. For those of you who know our mom or been blessed to meet her, she is one of the most gracious, kind, loving, caring, funny, sweet, a huge heart, giving and the most generous women I know. She's given every emotion and everything she has watching her oldest son battle for his life. She taught us at an early age that you give and serve others not because you have to but because it's the right thing to do. She touched and blessed so many lives and her faith and love for God continues to give her hope.
Our father Leroy is 80 years old and has become my mom's shadow. They divorced when Julien and I were 5 yrs old. They say that tragedy tends to bring people closer, without a doubt, Julien's stroke has brought them closer. Our father is the family philosopher and Fitzgerald family patriarch and with my mom has been by Julien's side since his accident. He loves to tell stories and you can find him sitting by Julien's side telling him (or anyone within an ear shot) a story or updating him on current events.
We are launching the "Friends Of The Fitzgeralds" campaign to help support the Fitzgerald Family and raise awareness of the impact a stroke can have not only on an individual but a family.
If you know the Fitzgerald family or know Julien, we asked that you share his story and pray for God's healing!
Julien's road to recovery will be long but by the grace of God and the support of his friends, family and those who know the Fitzgerald family, we know this campaign will not only benefit the Fitzgerald family but those people, families impacted by stokes and the amazing organizations fighting to raise awareness, educate, help and support Stroke research and education.
Cards and well wishes can be sent in care of Julien to 519 S 18th St Lincoln NE 68508 or PO Box 3890 Downtown Station Omaha NE 68108
While in the ICU at Bergan, Julien was alert and talkative and although affected by the stroke, still his sarcastic, funny and loving self.
December 12, 2018 , Julien would say his last word and almost lose his life on December 13, 2018. Due to a feeding tube being inserted incorrectly, Julien aspirated which resulted in developing pneumonia leading to the ultimate fight for his life.
Julien was placed on a ventilator where he would spend the next 90 days fighting for his life. He was transferred to Select Specialty Hospital in Omaha. Julien developed a series of illnesses and infections, including a 5 cm bed sore as a result of not being turned or tended to properly, during this time.
As a result of being on the ventilator, Julien's physical and neurological health continued to decline. Doctors didn't give Julien much of a chance to recover let alone survive. Neurologists found Julien still had some fluid and swelling on his brain which at the time they felt it would subside.
By the grace of God and the prayers of many, Julien started showing improvement and was taken off the ventilator on February 6, 2019 and with little assistance started breathing room air on his own. He started physical therapy right away.
Julien's recovery continued, but was slowed by a number of illnesses, infections and critical health issues. As a result of getting pneumonia for the fourth time, doctors placed Julien back on the ventilator and his health started to decline again.
On February 27, 2019 , Julien defeated pneumonia once again and was off the ventilator for the last time! Neurologically he started making small improvements. He started moving his left hand and his right side, that had some paralysis, started to get some movement back. He started tracking with his eyes and grasping with his fingers. Neurologically he still wasn't progressing like Doctors hoped he would be.
March 27, 2019 by God's will, Julien mouthed his first words, 'ouch' during physical therapy. He continued to show progress on his own timeline.
Julien's family prayed that he would be able to continue to his recovery at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln. Prayers were answered and Julien was approved for transport to Madonna on April 3, 2019.
On April 8, 2019 Julien became a resident of Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and began his long painful road to recovery. He began to move and wiggle his toes and move his arms. His medical team had him sitting up in a chair on day 1. Then on April 10, 2019 he sat in a wheelchair and we took him outside for the first time since the accident. It was a bright sunny day, so bright that he had a hard time opening his eyes but he smiled a huge smile!
May 6, 2019 Julien aspirated due to his inability to digest the food being given to him via his feeding tube. He was transported to Bryan LGH where he was treated for his 6th round of pneumonia. The medical team at Bryan were able to treat Julien and after a week, he was transferred back to Madonna.
While at Madonna, Julien has began to make small improvements but the road to recovery will be long and the chance Julien will every be able to live or take care of himself is unlikely.
Our family continues to pray and the strain and toll it has taken on our family words cannot even begin to describe. We continue to pray and are blessed that everyday Julien opens his eyes, it's one more day we have him in our lives.
Our mother Cynthia is 75 years old and has been by Julien's bed side everyday since November 28, 2019. For those of you who know our mom or been blessed to meet her, she is one of the most gracious, kind, loving, caring, funny, sweet, a huge heart, giving and the most generous women I know. She's given every emotion and everything she has watching her oldest son battle for his life. She taught us at an early age that you give and serve others not because you have to but because it's the right thing to do. She touched and blessed so many lives and her faith and love for God continues to give her hope.
Our father Leroy is 80 years old and has become my mom's shadow. They divorced when Julien and I were 5 yrs old. They say that tragedy tends to bring people closer, without a doubt, Julien's stroke has brought them closer. Our father is the family philosopher and Fitzgerald family patriarch and with my mom has been by Julien's side since his accident. He loves to tell stories and you can find him sitting by Julien's side telling him (or anyone within an ear shot) a story or updating him on current events.
We are launching the "Friends Of The Fitzgeralds" campaign to help support the Fitzgerald Family and raise awareness of the impact a stroke can have not only on an individual but a family.
If you know the Fitzgerald family or know Julien, we asked that you share his story and pray for God's healing!
Julien's road to recovery will be long but by the grace of God and the support of his friends, family and those who know the Fitzgerald family, we know this campaign will not only benefit the Fitzgerald family but those people, families impacted by stokes and the amazing organizations fighting to raise awareness, educate, help and support Stroke research and education.
Cards and well wishes can be sent in care of Julien to 519 S 18th St Lincoln NE 68508 or PO Box 3890 Downtown Station Omaha NE 68108
Organizer
Todd Fitzgerald
Organizer
Lincoln, NE