Family Hardship, Illness

10/07/2016 2:00pm
Well as some of you already know, I have recently fell Ill again. I have decided to put this add back up to show those who do not know my story. Tragic to the least and very tough on the family.

Now let's skip ahead exactly 4yrs to date! You can see where I'm going with this, few months back I went to the walk in clinic. I wasn't feeling well. You have a cold the doctor tells me, ok antibiotics and off I go. Now fast forward numerous doctor visit's. I am home on leave from work, wearing a heart monitor due to rapid heart rate and palpitations, extremely fatigued and sore to the touch. I have had headaches consistently for two weeks, cold sweaty hands, tingling in my finger's as well as my legs and feet. Body aches that I cannot describe and pressure in my back and chest, extensive lab work has recently been done knowing I don't have a cold or the flu.
Not being able to work, due to illness can cause havoc on ones life. I was not prepared financially for this and it could take some time. I have insurance right now which is wonderful, but it doesn't cover "life's" expenses. Now imagine my view being a single father. I am asking of you fellow friends, relatives, brother and sisters of "America" I boldly ask for your assistance in this troubling time, because "life's emergency's do happen and asking for help never hurt's"

Thank You all for reading my article, I am for ever grateful. Fill free to share, and send healing thoughts.



 2012                 Emmitt was admitted into St. Alexius hospital on Monday June 25th with a fever of unknown origin lasting two weeks prior to being hospitalized and had been feeling ill for roughly 5 months. Doctors were stumped. He had to undergo a painful lumbar puncture (spinal tap), a series of x-rays, Cat scans, blood and urine tests to start. It was determined that he had abnormal urine and multiple lesions on both of his lungs. The team of doctors grew day by day. Emmitt was treated with IV antibiotics and IV pain medications for days with no results and no signs of infection. They began consulting specialists such as infectious disease doctor, pulmonary (lung) doctor, autoimmune doctor, eye doctor. They started writing possible illnesses on his board that would become ruled out and erased, each time diminishing hope as they could not properly treat him before finding out what was wrong. Emmitt and his family went through a rollercoaster ride of suspected illnesses ranging from bacteria, autoimmune, cancer of the blood and each with grim hope for life and vitality. Pastors visited daily with prayer. He then began developing lesions on the body which allowed the doctors an opportunity for more testing. They took a lung biopsy and skin biopsy and waited for the results while his symptoms continued to progress with a high fever for 18 days, deep skin lesions, a severe headache that no IV drugs could provide relief. He developed thrush from the antibiotics, he vomited, and he was constantly being iced to keep the fever from putting him in a critical state. Finally on the morning of July 2nd the infectious disease doctor narrowed it down to two suspected diseases. Lymphomatoid  Granuolomotis , a rare form of cancer of the blood vessels and Vasculitis, both with a grim prognosis. Emmitts wife began to make arrangements for Mayo Clinic but by midafternoon a twist of fate came through. The biopsies provided a surprising result called Necrosis (dying of the skin). Finally after 8 days the doctors had a confirmed diagnosis, Disseminated Histoplasmosis- a severe fungal infection cause by bat droppings in dust by inhalation which lined up in time frame with a building Emmitt tore down on March 2nd. The infection was disseminated and septic meaning in his entire body and blood. They immediately began treatment of IV infusions daily. After 72 hours he was released home but had to spend roughly 5 hours a day at the hospital for 22 days of continued infusions. The medication was gruesome making him very ill with severe side effects ranging from allergic reactions to chronic heart palpitations, severe chills, weakness, vomiting.  He also developed fluid around his heart and had to be treated with steroids. His kidneys were not functioning well and were dangerously close to needing dialysis. After the IV infusions were completed he was able to begin oral medication which continues to make him ill. Four months into treatment and the lesions on his lungs have barely receded. Emmitt is on a slow path to recovery. Emmitt lost over 20 lbs. during the course of his hospital stay. Most of the medical expenses accrued have been covered through Workforce Safety which is estimated in costs of well over a quarter of a million dollars. Since falling ill he now has a back issue. An uncovered MRI and several doctor visits have revealed multiple bulged discs and one that is ruptured or protruded. Workforce Safety claims no responsibility even though it is believed that after the bed rest and weakness of his body that when he began movement again that this back injury occurred. Emmitt is receiving unemployment which is the family's only source of income. His wife Kristin suffers from a chronic illness and has been unable to work for 3 years and is awaiting disability as she works on her claim. They have 2 daughters, a  3 and 14 year old to provide for. They have fallen so far behind on bills and living expenses due to the significant loss of wages and inability to work. This has been and continues to be an incredible hardship for Emmitt, his wife Kristin and their children.