Johnson Family Medical Fund
Donation protected
May 7th, 2017:
Four-year-old Edward had been sick for several days and asked to go the doctor. The doctor ran tests and x-rays and diagnosed little Edward with strep and walking pneumonia. Edward went home with his mom, Rhonda, with antibiotics to help him get better.
May 10th, 2017:
Three days later, Edward's fever had not broken and he developed a rash. After another visit to pediatric urgent care, his x-rays showed abnormalities of his left lung. With the limitations of radiographs, the doctor wasn't sure if it was the pneumonia, an actual mass in his lung, or fluid around the lung. All 3 possibilities meant one thing: Edward had to be admitted to Children's Hospital.
May 12th, 2017:
After two days of intense IV antibiotic treatment and Edward still running a continuous fever with no improvement to his lung images, doctors decided a chest tube was necessary to drain the fluid from around his left lung. Edward underwent a 3 hour surgery to place the tube. He was then bedridden due to the suction connected to the chest tube that was required to pull out the fluid around his lung.
May 18th, 2017:
After 6 days with the chest tube, and being bedridden, over 1000 mL of fluid had drained from around Edward's left lung.
May 23rd, 2017:
But finally, FINALLY, (2 weeks after being admitted to the hospital) Edward was able to have the chest tube removed so a PICC line could be placed. This meant the goal was him going home with IV antibiotics very soon!
But sometime on May 22nd or early May 23rd, though, Edward's mom, Rhonda, had a heart attack. She was admitted to UAB Hospital to be monitored and check for blockages in her heart. Thankfully no blockages were found, but rather it was a stress induced cardiac episode. Nonetheless, Rhonda has to be on several medications, completely change her diet, and cannot go back to work for over a month.
May 24th, 2017:
Rhonda was discharged from the hospital to try and rest before returning to Children's Hospital.
May 25th, 2017:
The very next day more pockets of fluid were found on Edward's lung. Surgery would be required.
May 26th, 2017:
Edward went back to surgery to remove the PICC line and re-place the chest tube. Edward would not be going home soon.
That brings us to today, May 27th. It is currently estimated that Edward will be in the hospital until at least June 2nd.
A parent has had to be present with Edward at all times since he was admitted over 3 weeks ago. Thankfully, Rhonda's spouse Jaimie has been able to take paid time off from work. But Jaimie must return to work on May 29th - two days from now! And Rhonda has been receiving no paychecks while staying with Edward, and will not receive another paycheck until she can return to work - probably in July.
One person's pay is not enough to cover their essential needs: rent, utilities, groceries, medication copays (which have significantly increased since Rhonda's heart attack), and insurance premiums. We do not know if there will be costs for after hospital care for Edward that will not be covered by his insurance.
Edward is my brother. Rhonda is my mother, too. She has spent her entire life serving and helping others. My husband and I live far away but helping in every way possible, including many we won't advertise, but we cannot cover all these costs. We need your help!
Asking for financial help is never easy. By donating even $10 and sharing this far & wide, I know we can come together and help a family that truly deserves it!
#edwardandrhondajohnson
Love and thanks,
Erin
Four-year-old Edward had been sick for several days and asked to go the doctor. The doctor ran tests and x-rays and diagnosed little Edward with strep and walking pneumonia. Edward went home with his mom, Rhonda, with antibiotics to help him get better.
May 10th, 2017:
Three days later, Edward's fever had not broken and he developed a rash. After another visit to pediatric urgent care, his x-rays showed abnormalities of his left lung. With the limitations of radiographs, the doctor wasn't sure if it was the pneumonia, an actual mass in his lung, or fluid around the lung. All 3 possibilities meant one thing: Edward had to be admitted to Children's Hospital.
May 12th, 2017:
After two days of intense IV antibiotic treatment and Edward still running a continuous fever with no improvement to his lung images, doctors decided a chest tube was necessary to drain the fluid from around his left lung. Edward underwent a 3 hour surgery to place the tube. He was then bedridden due to the suction connected to the chest tube that was required to pull out the fluid around his lung.
May 18th, 2017:
After 6 days with the chest tube, and being bedridden, over 1000 mL of fluid had drained from around Edward's left lung.
May 23rd, 2017:
But finally, FINALLY, (2 weeks after being admitted to the hospital) Edward was able to have the chest tube removed so a PICC line could be placed. This meant the goal was him going home with IV antibiotics very soon!
But sometime on May 22nd or early May 23rd, though, Edward's mom, Rhonda, had a heart attack. She was admitted to UAB Hospital to be monitored and check for blockages in her heart. Thankfully no blockages were found, but rather it was a stress induced cardiac episode. Nonetheless, Rhonda has to be on several medications, completely change her diet, and cannot go back to work for over a month.
May 24th, 2017:
Rhonda was discharged from the hospital to try and rest before returning to Children's Hospital.
May 25th, 2017:
The very next day more pockets of fluid were found on Edward's lung. Surgery would be required.
May 26th, 2017:
Edward went back to surgery to remove the PICC line and re-place the chest tube. Edward would not be going home soon.
That brings us to today, May 27th. It is currently estimated that Edward will be in the hospital until at least June 2nd.
A parent has had to be present with Edward at all times since he was admitted over 3 weeks ago. Thankfully, Rhonda's spouse Jaimie has been able to take paid time off from work. But Jaimie must return to work on May 29th - two days from now! And Rhonda has been receiving no paychecks while staying with Edward, and will not receive another paycheck until she can return to work - probably in July.
One person's pay is not enough to cover their essential needs: rent, utilities, groceries, medication copays (which have significantly increased since Rhonda's heart attack), and insurance premiums. We do not know if there will be costs for after hospital care for Edward that will not be covered by his insurance.
Edward is my brother. Rhonda is my mother, too. She has spent her entire life serving and helping others. My husband and I live far away but helping in every way possible, including many we won't advertise, but we cannot cover all these costs. We need your help!
Asking for financial help is never easy. By donating even $10 and sharing this far & wide, I know we can come together and help a family that truly deserves it!
#edwardandrhondajohnson
Love and thanks,
Erin
Organizer
Erin Nicole
Organizer
Birmingham, AL
