Joel's Healing Adventure

On Wednesday October 26, 2016 around 3:30AM Joel shook me up, he mustered up the words "hospital now" in between the breaths he tried to take. As I was on the line with the 911 dispatch, Joel's body slumped forward, he stopped breathing entirely, and his body got cold and started turning purple.



Still, there were no paramedics! I was watching my best friend, father of my son, and partner in life slip away.


The 911 dispatch walked me through CPR and I administered the first round of CPR while waiting for what felt like an eternity before the paramedics arrived. When the paramedics arrived, it took another 9 rounds of CPR with Epinephrine to get Joel's pulse back and Joel was without oxygen for 27 minutes.



After two days of being in a coma due to suffering a severe heart attack, he woke up on our son's 9th Birthday October 28, 2016 in the intensive care unit.


The following days after he woke up, he was having a challenging time forming words - a terrifying thing for someone as smart and quick-witted as Joel. 


He was struggling using his hands which shook tremendously while attempting to use any utensils.


But what was most upsetting was finding out that his MRI revealed he had suffered an anoxic brain injury - a brain injury from lack of oxygen.  Causing his loss of speech, motor skills, and vision.



Joel was told there was nothing they could do to treat his brain injury, and his best chance was to let it heal on it's own if it would at all.



Joel is one of the most funny, positive, passionate, and unique individuals I've ever met in my life.  He's the guy that welcomes you with open arms and makes you feel loved and accepted right away.



Ever since I met him 11 years ago, he's made me a better person. Watching him impact and improve the lives of our family, friends, and community over the last decade through his positive and inspirational nature has been a true blessing.

 

Joel needs a few important procedures done to improve his quality of life and to leave these traumatic events in the past. (This was his second trip to the Intensive care unit in October of 2016, he was also there from October 2-5, 2016 due to asthma and a resulting seizure).




Our mission is to have Joel's vision back 100% so he can watch our son grow up and see our little guy's face clearly again, and perform a bronchial thermoplasty
 so the asthma attacks are less severe (hopefully to never be in an ICU again).
  For the bronchial thermoplasty, insurance will not cover this and the doctor has stated the out of pocket cost as $15,000 due prior to the procedure.

Every donation will help our family heal and adjust to the financial burdens related to health and loss of income due to Joel's visual impairments which have made it so he can no longer perform work as he previously has done prior to his anoxic brain injury. 

Your love and support are deeply appreciated along Joel's healing adventure. Thank you to everyone who has prayed, sent good vibes, and contributed along the way! You've been an incredible blessing in our lives!