Brad Austin Medical Fund

Hey guys! Thank you so much for taking the time to hear our story.  My husband Brad was diagnosed and hospitalized almost a month ago for an infection in his spine also known as discitis. Which basically means that the discs in his spinal column have became infected, inflamed and swollen. The doctors believe that this all started when he got stung by a swarm of yellow jackets  (12 to be exact lol!) About a week before this all started.  Their theory is that a few of the sting sites became infected and caused bacteria to enter into his blood stream and from there travel to and wreak havoc on his spinal column/discs. About a week after the yellow jacket ambush he started experiencing lower back pain and fever which very quickly progressed to excruciating pain and the inability to walk or even sit. To make a long story semi-short he ended up in the hospital where he has had a few MRI's, major antibiotic therapy, a PICC line placed and has a medical team consisting of a neurosurgeon, infectious disease doctor and an internal medicine doctor. The initial plan was to do 6-8 weeks of IV antibiotics then at the end of those 6-8 weeks have a follow up MRI and possibly surgery if the infection is not completely gone. Well... we are now on day 24 and his body or the infection rather had not responded to the antibiotics at all and unfortunately the infectiion has spread to the nearby vertebrae and bone marrow. The last MRI not only showed zero improvement but it also  showed much more advanced disease. He is still in unbearable pain and his spirit is broken as you can imagine. For a man who is used to working hard every single day at his job and providing for his family, being completely stuck inside a tiny hospital room, unable to walk with out a walker (and believe me, even that is a major challenge!) Is pretty depressing! Our number one concern is getting Brad, our husband and daddy home to his girls. But I would be lying if I said our financial situation f of great concern. Brad is out of sick time so he is no longer receiving pay checks. I work some here and there but trying to juggle work, being home with my gmlirls and being at the hospital with my husband has proved to be quite difficult. I've not even begun to think of the medical bills that we will accrue from this but to be honest I'm very concerned about how I'm going to continue to pay our bills mainly our mortgage, electric, vehicle notes and insurance as well as food and gas money as we are basically living on the go lol! It's a very long way from way out in the sticks where we live all the way to Willis knighton pierremont where Brad's set up residence for now! About 50 minutes one way to be exact! We have a car that gets great gas mileage BUT of course it's not running at the moment (push button start wont work, the keyless entry sensor is apparently not working and the keys need to be reprogrammed which I dont have them time, money nor way to even get it to the dealership anyways lol!) I am driving Brad's truck for now which absolutely guzzles the gas and believe it or not, THE AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT TODAY!  I kid you not! LOL! Me and the girls were sitting still in this crazy Shreveport/bossier lunch time traffic and out it goes! And let me just say, Me and my youngest Hattie Belle do not do well with heat lol! Anyways, I feel like I'm just sounding like I'm having a bug ole pitty party but truly I'm not! We have seen such love  kindness and generosity from so many throughout this that we are truly humbled and our hearts are so  full  just knowing we are cared for by so many! We had a previous go fund me that was taken down by the creator a few days ago but so many wonderful people have already donated to us and we were able to pay our mortgage and have extra to live off off this month from the $1600 that was raised from that account! I could list example after example of how the Lord has meet each need we have been faced with thus far and I know in my heart he will continue to see us through! I've rambled on way longer than intended so ill close with this...I truly hope this doesn't sound like we are begging for money because that is definitely not the desire of our hearts. But I will tell you this, I am begging for your prayers! This has turned out to be much more serious than I ever imagined and if I'm being totally honest I'm a little scared. But deep down I know the Lord is in control and he will see us through, I just have to keep reminding myself of his word and of his faithfulness. He has already shown us more favor than we could ever deserve.  Thank you so so very much to those of you who have already donated, called, messaged,  visited, bought us food, helped with the girls, sent cards, prayed for us, I could go on and on. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you and appreciate you more than you know. I pray the lord blesses each and everyone of you beyond measure.
          We love you all very much,
          Brad, Anna, Landry Kate and Hattie Belle ❤