Aid Toms Recovery And Family Support

Help Tom on His Road to Recovery

Hello, my name is Courtney, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my mom, Stacey, and our family. My stepdad, Tom, has suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, and we're asking for help with medical bills, living expenses, and supporting my mom through this incredibly difficult time.

Tom’s Story:

June 21st- Tom started experiencing a severe headache. Unfortunately, his symptoms quickly worsened the following day.

June 22nd- The headache intensified, and Tom began losing his peripheral vision. He also started vomiting. We called 911, and he was rushed to the hospital where a CT scan revealed a bleed on his brain. The decision was made to transfer him to a more advanced hospital, but while waiting for transport, Tom lost consciousness and had to be intubated to assist with his breathing. A follow-up CT scan showed the situation was critical, and he was immediately transferred to the ICU.

Tom was diagnosed with an Intracerebral Hemorrhage, caused by a ruptured dural arteriovenous fistula. This condition is a deformed artery in his brain, something he was born with but had never been diagnosed until now. The rupture caused a stroke and two aneurysms, and the doctors have classified it as a Level 5 traumatic brain injury. He underwent immediate surgery to repair the artery and placed a stent to help drain excess fluid.

The Days That Followed:

June 23rd- In the morning, doctors attempted to remove the intubation tube, but Tom was still unconscious. He remained unresponsive throughout most of the day. That night, there was concern about pneumonia, so the medical team decided to extubate him, which was successful with oxygen support. In his unconscious state, Tom began trying to pull out his IVs and the stent, so the medical staff had to restrain him for his safety.

June 24th- Tom began to show signs of responsiveness to neurological tests. He was able to squeeze hands, wiggle his toes, and even give a thumbs-up. Though he still wasn’t responding verbally or opening his eyes, we began to see small improvements.

June 25th- Tom’s responses continued to improve. He spoke a little more, though it was jumbled and confused. He ate some applesauce and chicken soup, and while his eye movement is limited, we continue to see small signs of progress.

What’s Next:

We still don’t know the full extent of Tom’s recovery. The doctors are optimistic, given the severity of his condition, but it’s clear we’re not out of the woods yet. The road to recovery will be long likely taking 3 to 6 months, possibly even up to a year. We won’t know the neurological effects of the injury for some time.

We are asking for help to cover the mounting medical costs, as well as living expenses during this time of uncertainty. My mom is doing everything she can to care for Tom, but the financial strain is becoming overwhelming quickly.

For those who know Tom personally you know that he is a tough guy and it is so hard to see him down and needing help.

How You Can Help:

Your thoughts, prayers, and support mean the world to us. We are grateful for any help you can provide, whether that’s through donations, sharing this page, or simply keeping Tom in your thoughts.

We will continue to update this page with Tom’s progress as we receive more tests and scans.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Every bit of support makes a difference.