In Memory of Bradley Bartz

Some know of my dads condition, and some don't. But, my dad is very sick. On Monday February 29,2016 my dad was admitted to the ER, at Baylor Scott & White Grapevine for at the time we don't know what for except he wasn't himself. The doctors and nurses were set on that he had fluid around his heart, But didn't know why it was causing him to be short of breath so they hooked him up to a bi-pap machine to help him breath. Later, that day he was moved up to a room in the CUB (cardiac universal bed). Tuesday, he had a pulmonalogist see him for slight fluid in the lung, and then another surgeon who was going to do a Paricardial window, which was going to allow for the fluid around the heart to be drained out. The Paricardial window procedure occurred on Wednesday March, 2. After the surgery he was taken to the ICU, this is where he has been for two weeks. After the surgery his blood cultures came back with a blood infection called gemella pericarditis. Then there were more infections that appeared. His doctor that performed the ablation, was concerned that he had burned through his esophagus and that was where this was coming from, but multiple CT scabs, and X-rays with dye didn't show that. On Friday, March 4, 2016 there was an episode where we found out he has punctae bleeds on his brain, that could have been there since before he was admitted. The weekend went by and there was hardly any change, after multiple CT scans and being on an intubator, they decided on Saturday March, 12 it was time for a tracheostomy this would ultimately be beneficial for him. Sunday, March 13, we were able to read his lips better and understand what he was trying to say. Sunday night, Monday morning he became less responsive, on Monday a nurse that was in his room rotating him believes that he was having a seizure, After two CT scans and an EEG, they decided that it would be good to put in a transfer for sending him to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Tuesday March 15 he was transferred. There he would be hooked up to a continuos EEG to see if his brain was seizing. He would also be able to get an MRI where he wasn't able to fit in the one before. Thursday, my mom told me that the infection from his heart, and blood had made it up to his brain. We are still waiting for many more answers. All I ask of everyone is to say a prayer for my dad, and our family. This has not been easy on my mom, or us. There is still so much to be found out, and there is a possibility that he will have to go to rehab after this.

This story was written by Allyson Bartz, daughter of Brad,

My name is Bryan Bartz, son of Brad.

Our mother Lori, has been at the Hospital for many weeks without being able to work. She has used nearly all of her PTO and with my Dad not working, this will start to put a serious financial strain on all of us, 

Any money donated will go towards any type of Bill imaginable. We have set a modest goal to start out with, but if we get an overwhelming amount of support we will raise the bar higher, 

I have been living in Oklahoma for 3 years now and it is heart breaking that I have to sit back and find out whats going on from a distance. 

No matter what people are able to give us, we will forever be thankful for your generous support.

This is a trying time for our family and it is never easy going through life with something like this always on your mind but you know you must put on a brave face and get through the day because you never know what lies ahead.