As most know TJ was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2019. From then on my parents have had extra expenses that most people don’t think about. & neither do they on most days as you can’t put a price tag on what keeps your child alive everyday. Spring 2026, TJ started having episodes that included sudden loss of vision, ringing of the ears and hot flashes. This brought them to get him checked out with a Pediatric Ophthalmologist where everything looked good there. He was then referred to a neurologist at Children’s in Dallas. Numerous tests were performed to determine what could be going on and causing these episodes. In the mean time the episodes got more severe where he would experience epileptic like symptoms. He wouldn’t be able to hear or communicate and eventually had one causing him to collapse. After seeing neuro and doing a couple of months of anti seizure medication and lots of tests he was referred to Cardiology at Children’s. Since then they have been told he has what they believe may be vasavagal syncope but more urgently through the diagnosis screening they found ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) which is a congenital heart defect. This defect is causing the right chambers of his heart to swell dangerously. So now they’re concentrating on fixing that and then they’ll resume diagnosing the episodes fully. TJ is scheduled at the end of October to have a surgery done where they go in and repair the hole in his heart. It doesn’t stop there as he will have to follow up frequently and have his heart monitored. With all this being said this has added so much financial stress onto my parents. Loads of medical bills adding up, numerous trips to Dallas and my mom having to take a leave from work to have an eye on TJ at all times. Between the two conditions her current FMLA has been exhausted. My dad being the sole provider and taking off to be there for my brother’s needs can also be a lot. They were told just the up front for this surgery is $4,000. This doesn’t include what insurance isn’t going to pay, the mounting bills from previous visits or the tests or stays to come. My parents would never ask for help from anyone as they know God has them in this season and it will pass. They are strong believers that the Lord will continue to provide for them as he has ever since 2019 with TJs medical needs. But we’re told not to carry it all on our own and that we don’t have to. & that’s what friends and family are for, to help and take care of each other when needed. If you feel led to help or give during this time, I know it would sure take off some stress for them!

Lots of prayers would be so much appreciated during this overwhelming time!

Ecclesiastes 3:1

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”