Gannon Venstra Medical Fundraiser

Late on December 23, Gannon, who is a witty, loving, fun and charismatic 18-year-old guy, was roughhousing with friends, something he does with family and friends almost daily. On this occasion he landed with heavy impact on his head. After about an hour had passed he was able to respond to others around him and move to his bed. He insisted that he was okay and attempted to carry on as not to worry others and went to bed for the night. A few hours later he began vomiting. He could feel the swelling in his head but wanted to believe he was okay. In the early morning, his parents, Suzanne and Jake knew something was wrong as continued to vomit, his eyes became bloodshot and he was in intense pain. Suzanne took him into Tanner Clinic urgent care Christmas Eve morning. The nurse who, we believe acted as a guardian angel to Gannon, knew that something was severe was happening and that he was becoming delusional. She immediately sent Suzanne and Gannon to the Davis Hospital emergency room and called to let them know they were on the way. As soon as they entered Gannon was rushed in for a CT scan of his head. The scan showed that Gannon had a severe and rapidly growing epidural hematoma, which means that he was hemorrhaging and clotting between his skull and his brain. The blood was putting intense pressure on the brain and pooling in the front part of his head. The condition he was in was very likely to cause permanent brain damage and even death. At this point, Suzanne was given the news that her son was to be sent on life flight to the University of Utah for emergency brain surgery. Gannon was in and out of Davis Hospital in no more than 25 minutes, again due to the guardian angels who gave him aid. Surgeons at the University of Utah hospital performed a craniotomy in which they cut open the front portion of Gannon’s scalp and then cut open his skull so they could remove the epidural hematoma and stop the bleeding that was putting intense pressure on his brain. The procedure took nearly twice the amount of time Gannon’s parents were told to anticipate, and there was no telling if Gannon would make it through the procedure as it was later learned that 60% of those who experience it don’t make it through. But finally, the surgical nurse informed that Gannon was still with us and the procedure was complete. This nurse was blatantly honest, letting his parents know that it was very likely he’d have major memory loss or permanent and severe brain damage. In agony, we all waited for Gannon to wake up. When Gannon woke a miracle happened. He was Gannon! He remembered who he was and who his parents were! Gannon spent that night, Christmas Day, and the 3 days following in recovery at the U of U hospital. He experienced the most intense pain he could imagine, feelings of extreme irritability, feelings of gratefulness, feeling of love, and feelings of confusion and lack of control. His loving parents and girlfriend, Sam have been right at his side through it all. The continued recovery for Gannon will be long and hard. Prior to this he had been working hard to complete to become a CNA which will need to be put on hold as he rebuilds his mental capacity. He will need to take time away from his current job at an assisted living center and from school. His parents have and will continue to miss work as they provide care to him. The medical bills will come in and they will be more than this family could even consider to afford. The missed days of work will all be unpaid days. At this time, I’d like to ask that you consider donating to Gannon’s family to help them through this trial. Donations can be made through Facebook, Go Fund Me, or to the Gannon Venstra Charitable America First Credit Union Account (best way to donate as it's tax and fees free) This is for my dear nephew, Gannon and sister, Suzanne and bro in law, Jake. Please share. If you can donate, the Charitable America First Credit Union account is the best way since Facebook and Go Fund Me charges taxes and fees from the donations. The America First Credit Union account name is Gannon Venstra, account number 9113861. Follow this link for instructions: https://www.americafirst.com/accounts/savings-accounts/charitable-memorial.html Thank you, and thank you to God for allowing Gannon to remain with his loving family and friends!