Help Andrea with Jon's medical & funeral expenses
Hello, my name is Estelle Soucy. I am fundraising to help my sister, Andrea Matazinski-Wilson, offset the medical and memorial expenses relative to the untimely death of her loving husband, Jon Wilson.
Sadly, Jon did not have life insurance because, despite his efforts, he unsuccessfully struggled to get his diabetes under control and could not get approved for coverage. This regrettably leaves Andrea with considerable expenses as she tries to move on without the love of her life.
Due to Jon's lengthy time in the ICU, the expenses incurred during his fight for his life are estimated to be 100K. Health insurance will cover much of his medical bills with the exception of 10%, unless any charges are out of network, which could be actually be more. Additionally, Andrea was hospitalized for over a week herself and will have to cover those expenses as well as expenses for Jon's final arrangements.
Details regarding services will be provided as soon as they are available. Due to Andrea's job, they found themselves in Tennessee, so there will be a few weeks delay in his services to bring him home to his family and friends in Maryland.
Jon's nearly month long battle was lost on August 13, at only 51 years old. It was a tumultuous fight against COVID-19 and the complications that followed, including diabetic ketoacidosis, pneumonia, sepsis, and ultimately his heart just couldn't keep up.
Jon was a husband, father, son, brother, son-in-law, brother-in-law, and most of all, a kind, good-hearted, loving and caring man. For 25 years, he has been Andrea's person. Jon is survived by his wife, Andrea, children, Darrien, Treasure, Wendi, Abi and Jonathan, parents, Melody and Charles, brothers, Howard and Eric, as well as extended family and friends. Jon was known for his sense of family and friends. He was a man who would take the shirt off his back for anyone in need. His friends speak volumes about how he went out of his way to make everyone he came across feel welcome. Jon had a great love for football, as well as the comraderie. The relationships he developed along the way are irreplaceable. He was an avid tailgater, and enjoyed a family that was made possible by the love of the game.
This all started with both Andrea and Jon suffering mild COVID symptoms during the 3rd week of July. On July 24th, Andrea made the call that both of them would go to the emergency room as she felt dehydrated and hoped they could help. While Jon's symptoms appeared lesser at that point, both were admitted. The initial assessment found that Andrea's oxygen level was in the 80s and the chest x-ray revealed she had COVID pneumonia. Jon's oxygen level was initially fine but he was in diabetic ketoacidosis and the latter chest x-ray revealed he too had COVID pneumonia. Andrea was admitted to the regular COVID ward, and Jon was immediately admitted to the ICU. Jon had struggled with diabetes for years. Having recently become insulin dependent, he had become even more challenged at getting his diabetes under control.
The week that followed was torture for both Andrea and Jon. They were separated and unable to receive regular updates on each other's condition. My niece, Darrien, had jumped in like a trooper and consulted with their doctors to provide regular medical updates to family and friends. Both of them struggled being pumped full of medications and oxygen. While Jon's condition was back and forth, being nearly 100% oxygen dependent most of the time, Andrea's oxygen levels gradually improved. Andrea was released from the hospital with continued oxygen therapy about a week after being admitted, but Jon would never make it home.
The following weeks were excruciating for Jon, my sister, and her family, with everyone trying to keep it together and praying that Jon would eventually fight his way back to good health. My sister assumed Darrien's role and began providing updates. There is no other way to describe it than an absolute roller coaster. One minute Jon would show improvements and seemed to be on the mend. They even got him eating and starting PT. Then, he would have a set back and struggled to eat or stay alert. My sister was finally able to visit and be by his side once he cleared the COVID virus and was fighting the residual pneumonia. When she was present, his numbers seemed to improve. Still, everything was touch and go. For every step forward Jon made in his fight to recover, it seemed he took 2 steps back.
Fast forward to his final week. He had been intubated, his oxygen was again increased to 100%, and the day before his passing, they inserted a chest tube. Despite clearing the COVID virus, the lingering pneumonia, partial lung collapse, diabetic complications, sepsis attributed to the chest tube insertion, and ultimately cardiac arrest, it was all too much and his body gave out. In the early morning hours of August 13th, he coded and they were able to revive him but, 3 hours later he coded for a 2nd time and this time, they were unable to revive him.
It is with a heavy heart that I ask of friends and family or anyone who experienced the light that Jon brought to this life to donate even the smallest amount to help my sister afford the out of pocket expenses that will no doubt be overwhelming. Prayers and positive vibes are still needed for Andrea and his family, so if it's all you are able to contribute, please send them their way. Rest in peace Jon. You were taken way to soon, and although you are gone, you will never be forgotten.
To my sister and her family, we pray for God to wrap his loving arms around you. Help them find comfort despite the irrepairable hole in their hearts. Help them know that it is ok to feel empty and robbed, ok to be angry, ok to feel sad. But, most of all, please help them feel Jon's presence as he looks over each and everyone one of them. In God's name we pray. Amen.