Happy New Year!

We’ve met our original financial goal for Logan and are so incredibly thankful for all of your help during this difficult time. Unfortunately, there have been a few more bumps, namely significant weight loss due to muscle atrophy and the requirement for a feeding tube to help his system recover. The feeding tube will require a minimum of 6-8 additional weeks in the hospital, and as such we have had to put some of our previous donations toward bills to ensure Logan has a happy and warm home to return to. In the spirit of transparency, we wanted to let you know we are increasing our goal to accommodate for this new stretch of Logan’s journey. As always, we’re super appreciate all of y’all’s help and hope our story continues to be shared. Blessings and a safe winter to you all!

On Wednesday, November 5th, Logan collapsed on the floor. We thought it was a seizure (which is normal for him) that wouldn’t stop (which isn’t). We called emergency services, who couldn’t determine a cause, and he was driven to Northeast Georgia Medica Center. It took 5 people (one of which was Daniel, his father to hold him still due to the amount of pain he was in. The hospital ran X-rays and a CT scan, which revealed that his bowels had twisted multiple times on themselves, a fire problem that would require surgery to correct.

The first surgery required removal of half his colon, and his incision was sutured to a sponge so they could more easily go back in and reassess during surgery number two, during which they were required to remove an additional half of his intestines due to tissue death. He was once again sealed with the sponge and we were told that he had up to approximately 15cm (3 inches) of bowel that could be removed before this would no longer be a survivable incident. We are incredibly fortunate that no more bowel had to be removed and they were able to close him up.

Since that surgery, he has persevered through fevers and sepsis, air in his chest that required a chest tube to relieve, endless fluid that has had to be drained from his stomach at risk of restricting his breathing, and countless tests. On November 13, the doctors gave him a tracheotomy and found a blood clot in his intestines, which required starting him on blood thinners. On the 18th, they attached a valve to his trach that allowed him to speak so he could keep his vocal cords healthy, but he has struggled to speak. On the 26th, he was leaking diarrhea and vomiting; the doctors found his stomach and intestines had become enlarged and stopped all feeds and put him on bowel rest in response. He soon spiked fevers as high as 104 as a result of CDiff, a bacterial infection of the colon. Last night, he started having trouble maintaining appropriate oxygen saturation levels, and after an X-ray, ultrasound, EKG, and CT, they found a large mucus block in his lungs that has since been removed.

We took two steps back last night, but are moving forward today. We are still fighting diarrhea, waiting for his lungs to work better and bladder and bowel issues to resolve.

Logan is 20 years old and was born addicted to meth. As an infant, his parents abused him (causing frontal lobe damage and seizures), cut him, put cigarettes out on his head and did unimaginable things. When Daniel adopted him at three, his diagnoses were epilepsy and global developmental delay, and we know him to be autistic as well. He is the sweetest kindest, most loving young man.

We are a blended family with 6 adult kids and the best daughter in law. Our 23 year old daughter has Down Syndrome.I am a paid caretaker for Logan because he needs 24/7 care and I am also a home healthcare worker for the sweetest lady. for the last month I have not been able to work so I have had no income. When we come home, we do not know what we are facing. Logan is incontinent and prior to this hospitalization, he wore diapers from Medicaid. With Short Gut Syndrome, you have more diarrhea and issues with your bowels. We will have to be buy higher quality diapers and inserts, alcohol-free wipes, and diaper cream. we are not sure when he will be able to return to school so I will likely miss additional work in December.

We are asking for assistance from his and our communities so we can continue to support Logan in a way that allows for a dignified and healthy return to regular life. Any contributions will help us buy new, quality supplies for him as we move through this difficult time.

We appreciate any assistance, from financial to sharing our story, every little bit helps. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us support our boy.