Hi, my name is Alex Norton and I'm starting this fundraiser in hopes to raise money to provide financial relief for my little brother Austin Norton. On Christmas day Austin began to have severe abdominal pain and was taken to the local ER to get evaluated. Based on imaging and blood work received during his ER treatment he was sent home on medications and was referred to a GI Specialist. Unfortunately, we never got to the GI. On Monday Dec. 27th, Austin was rushed to the hospital with increased abdominal pain as well as severe pain stretching to several areas. Upon arriving to the hospital we were quickly informed that Austin had suffered from a ruptured Appendix and due to the misdiagnosis from the previous ER visit, he had already gone septic. He was immediately started on strong Antibiotics to try and start battling the sepsis, before doctors were willing to move forward with any operation. The following day Tuesday the 28th, Austin was taken in to surgery to remove the Appendix. After looking at images throughout his abdominal cavity they decided that your a-typical appendix removal would not be possible. Austin received an incision from mid sternum down to his upper groin. During the surgery Austin's airways collapsed. In order to move forward with the surgery Austin was placed on a ventilator. Surgery was an overall success. Surgeons were able to remove most of the infection that they could locate and were able to get him stabilized and moved to post op and ultimately the ICU.

Another drawback to the surgery and airway collapse is that Austin developed pneumonia. While he was already on antibiotics, the pneumonia has taken over which causes low oxygen levels. They had to heavily sedate him to keep his body functions minimal in the hopes his body can recover from the pneumonia. He will be looking at a long recovery once he is through this situation. The family will do all they can but we need to maintain his residence so he has a home to come home to upon discharge, and during his lengthy recovery. While discharge is still a mystery and fully depending on how quickly his body heals, it will be a long time of recovery before he can return to work. Returning to work to provide for himself is definitely a long distance goal. To anyone that can help us help him, Thank You!