Help Paul and the Ekdahl Family!
Donation protected
My parents have always been there for ANYONE in need, without batting an eye, giving whatever they can to help. Now it is OUR TURN to HELP them but most importantly, help my dad.
The Story:
After a day of Church and Easter greetings, at 57 years young, Paul went to the warehouse for his business to get things ready for the next work day ahead. The following morning, April 22, 2014, he got ready for work like any other day. Coffee in hand, he walked out the door and got on the road as he does daily for his career. Not 30 minutes into his day, he returned home saying he wasnt feeling well and wanted to lay down. A few minutes after laying down, he was barely responsive. A few minutes after that the paramedics arrived. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital a mile away where a scan revealed he was having a brain hemorhage. After being stabilized, he was flown to a NEURO ICU for proper care. Drainage tubes were put in place to relieve the pressure from excessive fluid in his brain. So many highs and lows occured during his hospital stay. Breathing tubes, IV meds in multiple locations, machines doing all the work for him....We didnt know if he was going to survive or what kind of damage had been done for weeks after the incident.
Fast Forward:
After an extensive hospital stay in ICU, he was stable enough to be transfered to a rehab facility that accepts patients who have a tracheostomy. He receives 6 therapies a day and even has "homework" to do. He was able to have the trache removed after intensive therapy. Paul has begun relearning the basic things most of us take for granted such as brushing your teeth or waving hello. He has come a long way in the short stay at the rehab facility but it has come to an end due to insurance. He will receive the rest of his rehab for years to come in his home and outpatient services. We are currently prepping the house for wheelchair access. I am sure it will be a bitter sweet moment the day he returns home.
As if it Could Get Any Worse:
While my mom has stayed by his side as much as possible and I have been caring for their home and animals, they had a break in at their house a couple weeks ago. The person took many things belonging to my sister, who passed away in 2009, Both of thier original wedding rings from 34 years ago, Dads wallet and keys, laptops, and other misc items. You may imagine, my mom is beside herself loosing more than materialistic items but memories and sentimental value that is irreplaceable. Such a cruel, heartless thing to do to begin with and then to do it to people who are already suffering so much is just ludacris. *Sigh*
IN CLOSING:
My goal is to raise money not only for medical bills (***nearly a million dollars already***) but to be able to keep their kitchen stocked with food and the house stocked with supplies so my mom doesnt have to worry about it as much.
Any amount is GREATLY appreciated and every cent will go straight to Paul's benefit. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! We love you all and we WILL get through this!!
PS: I URGE you, if you have not had a full check up with your care provider in the last year, please go do so as illness is not always noticable or at the surface.
With so much Love and Gratitude,
Brandy Harrison
********UPDATE: He is home!! A few close friends and family gathered outside with signs and ballons when they pulled up to the house... It was definately a bittersweet homecoming. We rolled him to his organ in the living room and he started playing right away. There wasnt a dry eye in the house!! The ramps and everything have worked out perfectly so far. The donations raised so far have helped purchase medical supplies for Paul. THANK YOU THANK YOU for your generosity so far!! Check back for homecoming pics soon!
The Story:
After a day of Church and Easter greetings, at 57 years young, Paul went to the warehouse for his business to get things ready for the next work day ahead. The following morning, April 22, 2014, he got ready for work like any other day. Coffee in hand, he walked out the door and got on the road as he does daily for his career. Not 30 minutes into his day, he returned home saying he wasnt feeling well and wanted to lay down. A few minutes after laying down, he was barely responsive. A few minutes after that the paramedics arrived. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital a mile away where a scan revealed he was having a brain hemorhage. After being stabilized, he was flown to a NEURO ICU for proper care. Drainage tubes were put in place to relieve the pressure from excessive fluid in his brain. So many highs and lows occured during his hospital stay. Breathing tubes, IV meds in multiple locations, machines doing all the work for him....We didnt know if he was going to survive or what kind of damage had been done for weeks after the incident.
Fast Forward:
After an extensive hospital stay in ICU, he was stable enough to be transfered to a rehab facility that accepts patients who have a tracheostomy. He receives 6 therapies a day and even has "homework" to do. He was able to have the trache removed after intensive therapy. Paul has begun relearning the basic things most of us take for granted such as brushing your teeth or waving hello. He has come a long way in the short stay at the rehab facility but it has come to an end due to insurance. He will receive the rest of his rehab for years to come in his home and outpatient services. We are currently prepping the house for wheelchair access. I am sure it will be a bitter sweet moment the day he returns home.
As if it Could Get Any Worse:
While my mom has stayed by his side as much as possible and I have been caring for their home and animals, they had a break in at their house a couple weeks ago. The person took many things belonging to my sister, who passed away in 2009, Both of thier original wedding rings from 34 years ago, Dads wallet and keys, laptops, and other misc items. You may imagine, my mom is beside herself loosing more than materialistic items but memories and sentimental value that is irreplaceable. Such a cruel, heartless thing to do to begin with and then to do it to people who are already suffering so much is just ludacris. *Sigh*
IN CLOSING:
My goal is to raise money not only for medical bills (***nearly a million dollars already***) but to be able to keep their kitchen stocked with food and the house stocked with supplies so my mom doesnt have to worry about it as much.
Any amount is GREATLY appreciated and every cent will go straight to Paul's benefit. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! We love you all and we WILL get through this!!
PS: I URGE you, if you have not had a full check up with your care provider in the last year, please go do so as illness is not always noticable or at the surface.
With so much Love and Gratitude,
Brandy Harrison
********UPDATE: He is home!! A few close friends and family gathered outside with signs and ballons when they pulled up to the house... It was definately a bittersweet homecoming. We rolled him to his organ in the living room and he started playing right away. There wasnt a dry eye in the house!! The ramps and everything have worked out perfectly so far. The donations raised so far have helped purchase medical supplies for Paul. THANK YOU THANK YOU for your generosity so far!! Check back for homecoming pics soon!
Organizer
Brandy L Harrison
Organizer
Altamonte Springs, FL
