Dustin Floyd Medical Fund

My son, Dustin Floyd, is 21-years-old and had always been in excellent health.  He never had surgery or was hospitalized overnight.  He did end up in the ER a few times due to BMX bike riding accidents.  But again, nothing major.  He spent eight months working two jobs, 16 hours a day, before landing his dream job at Newport News Shipyard.  A month into his new job he fell ill.  He had been battling what he thought was a sinus infection for two weeks before he started having paralyzing pains throughout his body.  He got where he couldn't move his neck, arms, or shoulders without crying.  He hurt so bad he couldn't sleep and dreaded having to go to the bathroom because he would have to move.  His dad and I took him to Sentara's ER three times in 10 days.  Each time they told him to toughen up and go home and rest.  After the third time of being sent home with no tests and no medication, he finally went to see our primary doctor.  He could tell right away that what our 21-year-old son was experiencing was not normal.  He ordered lots of tests, including a chest x-ray.  Dustin was diagnosed with dual pneumonia and put on strong antibiotics and steroids.  And he had strep in his bloodstream.  Four days later he had another chest x-ray.  And he went back to work but was only there a few days before he blacked out on the job.  He was then rushed to Riverside where he has remained for the past nine days and counting.  While at Riverside his chest x-ray showed increased fluid in his lungs and his breathing became abnormal, and his heart was racing.  He was put on a heart monitor and given oxygen.   An infectious disease doctor came in and ordered all sorts of tests.  They took 18 vials of blood from him in four hours.  A lung doctor was brought in.  And more tests were ordered, including additional chest x-rays they kept showing signs of more damage.  And he had an Echocardiogram to see what was up with his heart.  On Friday, July 21st, he had biopsies of his lungs, and the doctor drained them.  Two hours later she said that his lungs were bleeding.  He was then moved to ICU as his blood oxygen levels had dipped to dangerously low levels.  He was given two blood transfusions on Saturday as well as multiple bags of iron.  They increased his oxygen and increased the steroids in hopes of stopping the bleeding in his lungs.  That same evening two of his doctors came in to tell him that he may not survive this, shaking their heads as they said, "you're so young."  Needless to say, that depleted what hopes Dustin did have of getting well.  He said that he wasn't ready to die.  Not only had he just bought a house in February, but he had his dream job and a baby on the way.  On Sunday, July 23, some of the results from the biopsies came back.  He tested positive for parainfluenza.  Now that they knew what he had they could treat it with the proper antibiotics.  And it’s important to note that parainfluenza is not the same as influenza.  And without the proper treatment, one can die.  Today he was visited by a cardiovascular doctor, to find out why his heart is not able to keep up.  That doctor has ordered another Echocardiogram.  Hopefully, he’ll get those results back this evening.  Dustin had just started his job at the shipyard, so he is not covered by health insurance yet.  On top of that, he has missed almost three weeks of work because of all of this.  And he’s worried he might lose his house.  Especially since he has no idea when 1) he’ll get out of the hospital and 2) when he’ll be able to go back to work.  Right now, his doctors plan on him taking antibiotics and heart medication for months to come.  He’ll also need oxygen at all times.  Since his dad and I are on a limited salary (his dad gets disability, and I’m a full-time college student), we are financially unable to help him.  So, we’re reaching out to Dustin’s Facebook friends and family, as well as ours.  We’re hoping that enough people will be able to donate enough for him to be able to pay his mortgage at least and then a portion of his hospital bill.  Which it looks like he’s going to need that money for the medications that he’ll have to be on for several months, as well as the oxygen.  So, if you can find it in your heart to donate, we’d greatly appreciate it.  And if you can remember a time when Dustin has made you laugh, we’re hoping you’ll donate to honor and support him.  I will update this page as news comes in.  If, however, you have questions or need clarifications, don’t hesitate to email me at pam | at | snap4kids.org.  And to all of those that have had Dustin in your thoughts and prayers, we greatly appreciate it.
Dustin also has pericarditis . Which is a swelling and irritation of the thin saclike membrane surrounding the heart (pericardium). So he is on heart medication. His breathing has been hurting his chest since his last iron treatment.  Oh and I forgot to tell you that someone busted the drivers side window out of his car.  While it was sitting in front of his house. I'll let you know more tomorrow.  But if Dustin has ever made you laugh, or helped you out when you were in a bind I pray you find it in your heart to help him out during this difficult time.