Hi! My name is Kaylee Casteel and we are organizing this fundraiser for our our dear, sweet friends, Brad & Savannah Rushing. In February, Brad began having debilitating gastrointestinal issues causing him to lose an ample amount of weight. If you know Brad, the last thing he wanted to do is seek medical help but due to his pain and issues being so severe he eventually made it to the ER. He was given IV fluids, steroids, etc. and discharged. Improvement was seen initially but didn’t last very long as his condition began to worsen and he continued to lose weight. Due to this, he went back and was finally admitted to CHRISTUS in Longview. Shortly after being admitted and testing, Brad was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis secondary to Crohns Disease. If you’re not familiar with these, Crohns is a chronic IBD disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract and Ulcerative Colitis affects the colon directly. Both are believed to be an autoimmune reaction. Due to this, Brad has hard a very hard time absorbing any nutrients. Brad has had multiple colonoscopies, biopsies, blood transfusions, and medications. The most recent being a low-dose chemo in hopes of lowering his immune system to get it to stop attacking itself causing more issues. Due to his low immune system he has also contracted MRSA in the hospital, which has prompted to stop this medication for the time being. This week we received news that Brad will be transferred to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas once a bed is available in hopes of avoiding surgery, which would mean removing his colon. If surgery is avoided this would mean Brad is on medication for the rest of his life to manage Crohn’s disease. With all of this being said, Brad is a contractor and has since had to stop working due to being in the hospital therefore has been out of work since March. Savannah is doing her best to continue working but has had to significantly cut back on catering, personal training, and realty (She’s a Jill of all Trades) in order to be at the hospital with Brad. Brad did not get medical insurance until a couple of weeks ago and is currently on a waitlist for disability. These two are not the type to ask for help in any way, and Savannah is doing a phenomenal job holding down the fort! However, we are creating this fundraiser to ease any financial burden and stress they may have whether it is medical bills that will be piling up or their monthly expenses. If your heart leads you to donate, this money will go directly to them and it will be immensely appreciated. If you can’t, we can never have enough prayers! ♥️ Any updates I receive will be posted here!

UPDATE 6/15 5:50PM - A bed has become available at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. Brad is being transported via ambulance and Savannah is meeting them there. Praying they receive more answers and guidance! UPDATE 6/16 10:20AM - Brad is settling in! Both him and Savannah are so grateful for all of the support, love, and kindness everyone has shown thus far. This morning they spoke with Dr. Rodrigues, he is the surgeon should Brad need surgery. He told them that he was just the door to get them there and he is assembling a GI team to prevent surgery. He held Brad's hand and said the most sincere and beautiful prayer over him, leaving both Brad and Savannah in tears but proving that they are in the right place and God is SO good! I have increased the monetary goal for our sweet friends, as we all know bills will continue to come in but a HUGE thank you to everyone that has donated so far! ♥️

UPDATE 6/17 - This morning Brad had another colonoscopy and the doctors were able to provide a visual showing the severity of inflammation and ulcers. There were servers polyps but the doctors took more biopsies. They also found out that Brad has contracted C. Diff which can be serious, especially for someone in his condition. The doctors are addressing the MRSA and C. Diff before moving forward with treatment. A small setback but nothing that he can’t handle! Please keep the prayers coming for our sweet friends. ♥️