Trey Henderson is the most incredible human being. He will be there for you in a split second, he’s remarkably selfless, and he genuinely cares about everyone he encounters. He loves his family, friends, and [dog] son, Oliver, more than anything in this world. You can usually find him outside running, kayaking, and playing or coaching soccer.

Soccer has been such an integral part of Trey’s life. He grew up playing Academy and Select soccer for Concordefire, played on the Varsity team for Chamblee Charter High School, and played all four years at Reinhardt University. He currently coaches soccer for Atlanta Fire United Academy and the Georgia Gwinnett College Women’s team, where he has the ability to shape the lives of players of all ages. 

Trey turned 30 this past August and was in perfect shape. He had a regulated sleep schedule, ate a balanced diet, and exercised and ran every day. He was the textbook definition of being healthy. 

On Monday, October 28, 2019, Trey was admitted to Emory St. Joseph’s of Atlanta with stroke-like symptoms, including blurred vision and slurred speech. These symptoms were later classified as Expressive Aphasia, which was essentially a sign telling us that something was wrong. 

After several tests, bloodwork, a CT Scan, an MRI, and a spinal tap, the doctors discovered a mass on the left side of Trey’s brain. An emergency craniotomy was scheduled, where doctors would surgically open his skull to examine and remove the mass on his brain while taking biopsies to research.

The mass was found to be an abscess, and it was ultimately removed successfully. A 4” incision and 22 staples later, Trey woke up from his surgery and was dubbed, “the most alert and active patient after a brain surgery that this hospital has ever seen.”

Eventually, the bacteria within the abscess was determined to be Streptococcus, the same bacteria that causes Strep Throat. But how did it get to his brain?

Several tests, more bloodwork, and an echocardiogram revealed that Trey had a patent foramen ovale (PFO), which is a hole in the heart that did not close the way it was meant to after birth. This hole can allow bacteria to travel through into other areas in his body, and in this case — his brain. 

In order to heal from his craniotomy, a variety of medications and antibiotics must be administered continuously through an IV for six weeks. The road to recovery, however, is far from over. 

During Spring 2020, after having fully recovered from his craniotomy, Trey will be undergoing a surgical procedure on his heart where doctors will cauterize the hole. 

In an effort to offset Trey’s medical bills, we have created this fundraiser in hopes of helping him with this unexpected and astronomical financial burden. Funds from this account will be transferred into an irrevocable trust set up for Trey, which will pay out all medical costs.

Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out and visited Trey during this difficult time. The next few months will surely be challenging, but your support means the world in helping him get back on his feet and doing what he loves.