Gax and Sarah need our help

Hi everyone, this is Breann, Sarah’s cousin and I’m setting this gofundme up for her and Gax. As most of you know, Gax hasn’t been himself for the last month or so. He was having lots of dizzy spells and kept on falling. He fell in the grocery store on Sunday, October 29th and they immediately went to the ER. While there they found a mass in his brain. He went through all the testing and on Wednesday, November 1st he went through a brutal 12 hour brain surgery. The neurosurgeon was thankfully able to remove 85% of the mass. They sent the mass out to pathology and the results came back today, November 7, inconclusive. They cannot confirm if it is benign or malignant and are stating it is a rare mass. Now they are going to send it out to a specialist to figure out what the next steps will be as far as treatment. Gax is still in the ICU because he has a drain in his head. They are waiting to see how well it drains by Friday. Depending on the outcome he may need to put in a stent, which would mean another surgery. Through all this Sarah has remained by his side at the hospital every single day making sure he gets the treatment he needs. Cassandra and Ron, Gax’s parents are also out there to help with this heavy load. Arizona does not have FMLA or disability. They currently have no income. As anyone could imagine this has been an extremely stressful time. Add to it the medical bills and both of them not being able to work and it is so overwhelming. Sarah and Gax are two of the most amazing people I know. They are always there to help everyone they know. No matter what. As you know they are the type of people who would never ask or expect anything from anyone. So I’m asking for them. They need all the love and support they can get right now. In any form that may be that you are willing to help it would be so amazingly appreciative from the bottom of all our families hearts. We will continue to update everyone on Gax’s status. We are always asking for positive progress and can’t wait until the day Gax can be home with his wife, 2 dogs and 3 cats, his whole world. Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you would prefer to send a Zelle or Venmo that would be great also. Everything will go straight to Sarah and Gax to help with any bills they have and to lighten the load for them.

UPDATE

November 10, 2023

Dr Montoure called Sarah this morning. He said the CT scan today shows the swelling has gone down significantly. The ventricles are still enlarged but he lowered the drainage amount yesterday and today and plans on clamping it completely tomorrow morning after another CT. He will then monitor the pressure with it clamped until Monday morning and do another CT. If everything looks good he will remove the drain. Gax will then go to a regular room until he is transferred to a in patient rehabilitation. Forward progress. Let’s all hope Gax can get this drain out and moved to a regular room on Monday!

UPDATE

November 11, 2023

The doctors put the clamp on the drain today at 1pm. This is where we really need all your positive thoughts and prayers!!!!! If Gax has no headaches, doesn’t feel light headed, changes in vision or anything like that they will do another CAT scan in the morning, hopefully around 5am. Depending on the results of the CAT scan they will either decide if they can take out the drain ( yes yes ) or will need to put in a permanent drain/stent. Hopefully everything is working in the right direction and his drain can come out tomorrow! Then he’ll have much more freedom and can move out of the ICU!! He also said the ventricles haven’t changed much in the last CT’s but the drain was open the same amount so this is a real test. We are hoping for GOOD news tomorrow. Keep Gax in your thoughts. Thanks to everyone for all your love and support!!

UPDATE

November 14, 2023

Great news everyone! After a really rough couple of days, Dr. Montoure removed Gax’s head drain on Monday afternoon!!! Gax moved out of the ICU and into a regular hospital room today around 7am. This is all amazing progress!! He will most likely remain in the hospital for another week or so (we’re hoping less!!!) and then move into a rehabilitation center to regain his mobility, strength and independence. He’s in much, much better spirits. I know all your love and support really is helping him on this now healing journey. We still have a long road of recovery but I know he can do this with flying colors. Especially with all of us behind him. We are all so extremely grateful for everyone’s kind words, prayers, positive vibes, love and support. I will continue to keep everyone updated. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!

UPDATE

November 17, 2023

Great news! Gax got his stitches out, had his last CT (that was good) and moved into the rehabilitation center yesterday!! He’s mobile and with a lot of hard work at the rehabilitation center, he will be independent in no time! The other great news is that he is expected to be home by thanksgiving!!! We are all over the moon with the progress that has been made. I can’t wait to update you all when Gax is home. Thank you for all your love and support. It means so, so much to our families.

UPDATE

December 5, 2023

Hey everyone! Just wanted to give you an update on Gax. He’s been having some fluid leakage out of his wound. After a couple of CTs and visits to the ER, the surgeon found an infection under the bone in his skull. So unfortunately he is going to have to have surgery tomorrow at 2pm to take the bone flap off his skull, to swab it and wash it out. Then send the swab to do a culture to see what antibiotic he needs to be on. He will probably be staying in the hospital a few days. As disheartening as this is, we are just asking for your love and support for Gax and Sarah as they navigate through this.