On Friday evening January 2016 my husband had terrible chest pains as if he was being kicked and stomped in his chest, he brushed it off as something caused by simple stress. He trudged through the next couple of days still in pain, working and supporting his family. Finally he went to the doctor on Monday morning to get news, news that no person wants to hear. His left lung collapsed!!!! The doctors took many x-rays and decided to put a small chest tube in, in hopes that this would work to re-inflate his lung. Hours passed, then days, finally 5 lung specialist came in throughout the day to diagnose Cody with what they called "spontaneous pneumothorax" which means he has "blebs" that sit on the top portion of both his lungs, these blebs are almost like bubbles, one small pin poke to them could cause the lung to collapse. His left lung had to be operated on, he had to have a surgery that we could not say no to, it was the only choice. The doctors removed the upper portion of his left lung as well as a portion at the lower area, then scar tissued the lung to hopefully prevent it from happening again(however no guarentee it wont) His right lung could do the same at any given point in time. He did great during the surgery, it was during the waking up period that Cody started to decline, it was a very scary time for us all as his body decided it did not want to do anything but shut down, but he made it, somehow by the grace of God, he just only gave us a scare.  He has been through a whole different world and back in only 8 years, starting at the age of 16. He has defeated more odds then most, yet deals with the pain and suffering each and every day.

The last 8 years have been an eventful journey to say the least. In December of 2007 My husband Cody Yocum, 24 of Scottland, IL a very small town was in a tragic accident, from that day on out his life was changed for good. He lost his younger brother and suffered massive injuries that have never went away. He lives with the tragedies as does his family every day. He suffered injuries including: brain injury, road rash to majority of his body,9 broken ribs, broken vertibrae's on his back, ptsd, both lungs collapsed, broke shoulder in half and ruptured his splien; but this did not stop him from living each day. He had one of the roughest recoveries in the world to wake up and be given the news he was given. He has then lived each day with amazing positivity towards life. The doctors never thought he would be able to work , let alone work a full time manufacturing job. He had the chance to be put on disability, but he wanted to work and provide, stubborn as a mule, he proved doctors wrong that he could do what any "normal" person could do and carry on working and providing.
We have a 4 year old daughter to take care of and get healthy for. Cody has a goal of $5000.00  Please help us meet his goal! He has not been at his place of employment due to our move to AL, for this he does not have any paid time off available, this is all unpaid time off of work, and due to not being employeed for 12 months min. since we have only lived in Alabama for 9 months. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance from our family to yours. After this we will always pay it forward as everyone should, it is the best way of life. We are thankful for the life he is allowed to enjoy. Thank you again from our family to yours!