Big Jim's Memorial/ Medical Fund
Donation protected
Many of you know my Uncle Jim a.k.a Big Jim (James Capurso); he has always been an important person in my life. He has always been there for me and for everyone he knows. He is the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. He is a fifty-two year old, six-foot eight inch teddy bear. He is a loving husband to my Aunt Susan and a father of two wonderful sons Jimmy, 21 and Jesse, 16.
It all started on Saturday January 26th, my uncle wasn't feeling well so he went to the hospital to see what might be wrong. They sent him home later in the night saying it was only the flu, and prescribed him three antibiotics. He progressively felt sicker and sicker, and by Wednesday the 29th he couldn't breathe and barely even walk. My Aunt called 911, he was transported by ambulance to Stony Brook Hospital, where he was admitted into the ICU and was fully sedated and intubated within three hours. After some testing, results showed that he had full blown double pneumonia in both lungs, the flu and a thing called ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a life-threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood.) On a scale of one to ten, his case is the rare number ten. We were told he would most likely not survive the first few days.
On top of all of this there have been a few complications along the way, four days after being admitted a sonogram of his chest revealed a foreign object high up in his stomach. A plastic guide with a metal tip from the IV in his groin was not removed; a two hour emergency surgery was performed to remove it. Since this has happened he has endured fevers up to 104.5 degrees. Also as a result five blood clots were found, so another emergency surgery was performed to insert an umbrella filter, which was put into his main artery to prevent cardiac arrest.
My Aunt Susan has not left his side since the ambulance brought him to the hospital. She is always there with him and sleeps on a bedside cot. My Uncle cannot be left alone for a minute, as she is his eyes and ears, so he receives the best medical care possible. My Aunt no longer has any more time off from work. Her company, 1800flowers.com will hold her position for twelve weeks with no pay, but she will be required to pay her family medical insurance during this time. My Aunt Susan and my cousins Jimmy and Jesse could use our help.
We really don't know what the future will hold; we were told he could recover, but not completely due to the destruction in his lungs. Should he get through all of this, the recovery process could take up to a year or longer. Given his height and weight he will need a lot of things in the future as time goes on, possibly a rehabilitation center stay; a new bed or equipment to have at home. For now it's just one moment at a time:one day at a time
Thank you all for the continued love, support and prayers during this time. My Uncle has the biggest heart out of anyone I know. He needs all of the support that we can possibly give to his family during this time.
Xoxo,
Erica
It all started on Saturday January 26th, my uncle wasn't feeling well so he went to the hospital to see what might be wrong. They sent him home later in the night saying it was only the flu, and prescribed him three antibiotics. He progressively felt sicker and sicker, and by Wednesday the 29th he couldn't breathe and barely even walk. My Aunt called 911, he was transported by ambulance to Stony Brook Hospital, where he was admitted into the ICU and was fully sedated and intubated within three hours. After some testing, results showed that he had full blown double pneumonia in both lungs, the flu and a thing called ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a life-threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood.) On a scale of one to ten, his case is the rare number ten. We were told he would most likely not survive the first few days.
On top of all of this there have been a few complications along the way, four days after being admitted a sonogram of his chest revealed a foreign object high up in his stomach. A plastic guide with a metal tip from the IV in his groin was not removed; a two hour emergency surgery was performed to remove it. Since this has happened he has endured fevers up to 104.5 degrees. Also as a result five blood clots were found, so another emergency surgery was performed to insert an umbrella filter, which was put into his main artery to prevent cardiac arrest.
My Aunt Susan has not left his side since the ambulance brought him to the hospital. She is always there with him and sleeps on a bedside cot. My Uncle cannot be left alone for a minute, as she is his eyes and ears, so he receives the best medical care possible. My Aunt no longer has any more time off from work. Her company, 1800flowers.com will hold her position for twelve weeks with no pay, but she will be required to pay her family medical insurance during this time. My Aunt Susan and my cousins Jimmy and Jesse could use our help.
We really don't know what the future will hold; we were told he could recover, but not completely due to the destruction in his lungs. Should he get through all of this, the recovery process could take up to a year or longer. Given his height and weight he will need a lot of things in the future as time goes on, possibly a rehabilitation center stay; a new bed or equipment to have at home. For now it's just one moment at a time:one day at a time
Thank you all for the continued love, support and prayers during this time. My Uncle has the biggest heart out of anyone I know. He needs all of the support that we can possibly give to his family during this time.
Xoxo,
Erica
Organizer
Erica Manglaviti
Organizer
Riverhead, NY
