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Howdy, my name is Andrew Garrett Case. Also known as Drew, Du, Drew-boy. As you see, I have many nicknames and immediately give nicknames to those around me. At 6 weeks old, I was diagnosed with Severe Congenital Neutropenia which basically means I do not have enough white blood cells (neutrophils) to fight off infection. Essentially a country without an army for defense, and even the simplest papercut can be potentially life threatening. Because of my disorder, I’ve spent most of my life in and out of hospitals and have had some unbelievable experiences. For example, removing half my lung at age 2 to prevent Pneumonia from killing me, operating on my damaged tear duct due to flesh eating bacteria, and multiple other operations from more infections over the last 34 years of my life. To say the least, hospitals and doctors have become my other family and home away from home. However, to the average person, most people do not recognize that anything is different. That is because, I have persevered through these obstacles working with my hands as a laborer with construction and my most recent job as a wind turbine technician.
Now at 34 years old, I am facing some of the biggest challenges of my life. On Oct 28, 2020 at 4 AM, after hours of excruciating pain and violently throwing up, my girlfriend rushed me to the ER at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Unbeknownst to me, my blood was septic after a horrific infection that savagely invaded my body. Later that day, the nurse found me passed out in the hallway and I was transferred to the ICU for the next 12 days. During this time, I had 4 emergency surgeries to remove the infection from my intestine and right hip. I went into cardiac arrest during the 1st surgery, but the doctors were able to bring me back to life. Before the 2nd surgery, my family was informed of the worst possible outcome that I may not make it through. However, yet again, with prayers, God, family, skilled doctors, and nurses, I survived!
During this period, my kidneys & liver began to fail, and I developed jaundice. Through a combination of prayers, blood transfusions and dialysis, weeks later my organs are functioning properly. Furthermore, in order to save my life, I was initially put on vasopressors to centralize the blood to my main organs. This medication resulted in the loss of blood flow to my extremities and as of 12/11/20 I am officially a quadruple amputee of my hands and feet. I also have a few other medical issues such as an ileostomy bag from my first intestine surgery, and a huge portion of my right hip muscle, aka shark bite, was removed. The top layers of skin from both my thighs were shaved off and transplanted to my hip as a skin graph.
Today, I remain in the hospital, but will soon be transported to a long-term rehab facility where I can learn how to live with my new body and eventually prosthetics. With all that has happened to me, I will not let it get my spirits down. I plan to be a motivational speaker not just for people with neutropenia or amputee’s but for all people to know that we as human beings are united and loved as one and can help each other overcome adversity.
Please share my story to help myself and others who are struggling. As everyone is aware, the cost of hospital bills, prosthetics, medication and converting my home to be ADA compliant is expensive and overwhelming. Therefore, anything you can do to help me to return to my “normal” life would be greatly appreciated as well as your prayers and words of encouragement!
Now at 34 years old, I am facing some of the biggest challenges of my life. On Oct 28, 2020 at 4 AM, after hours of excruciating pain and violently throwing up, my girlfriend rushed me to the ER at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Unbeknownst to me, my blood was septic after a horrific infection that savagely invaded my body. Later that day, the nurse found me passed out in the hallway and I was transferred to the ICU for the next 12 days. During this time, I had 4 emergency surgeries to remove the infection from my intestine and right hip. I went into cardiac arrest during the 1st surgery, but the doctors were able to bring me back to life. Before the 2nd surgery, my family was informed of the worst possible outcome that I may not make it through. However, yet again, with prayers, God, family, skilled doctors, and nurses, I survived!
During this period, my kidneys & liver began to fail, and I developed jaundice. Through a combination of prayers, blood transfusions and dialysis, weeks later my organs are functioning properly. Furthermore, in order to save my life, I was initially put on vasopressors to centralize the blood to my main organs. This medication resulted in the loss of blood flow to my extremities and as of 12/11/20 I am officially a quadruple amputee of my hands and feet. I also have a few other medical issues such as an ileostomy bag from my first intestine surgery, and a huge portion of my right hip muscle, aka shark bite, was removed. The top layers of skin from both my thighs were shaved off and transplanted to my hip as a skin graph.
Today, I remain in the hospital, but will soon be transported to a long-term rehab facility where I can learn how to live with my new body and eventually prosthetics. With all that has happened to me, I will not let it get my spirits down. I plan to be a motivational speaker not just for people with neutropenia or amputee’s but for all people to know that we as human beings are united and loved as one and can help each other overcome adversity.
Please share my story to help myself and others who are struggling. As everyone is aware, the cost of hospital bills, prosthetics, medication and converting my home to be ADA compliant is expensive and overwhelming. Therefore, anything you can do to help me to return to my “normal” life would be greatly appreciated as well as your prayers and words of encouragement!