I've decided to leave the account open and any other donations that come in will go directly into an account I have open with probate court for Kayla when she turns 18. I am still so VERY grateful to everyone who donated. Thank you so very much. ❤

Kayla's father Justin went into the hospital on August 25th because he couldn't breathe properly. He was sick with Covid-19 and was told to go to the ER. So he did. He had pneumonia and his lungs were working at 70%. He was put on high pressure oxygen and kept for observation. When I spoke to him the following night, he said he was feeling better. I made plans to visit him the following day on my lunch to bring him some books. That never happened as that would be the last time I talked to him.

Early Friday morning, about 8 o'clock Justin suffered a massive stroke. Doctors tried removing the clot in his brain only to have more continue to form. They decided to stop the procedure. Justin's brain started to swell. They needed to do something to stop the swelling quickly so they put a pick line directly into his heart to deliver medication to stop the swelling.

Saturday morning, the medication wasn't working and Justin's brain was swelling a lot and something needed to be done or he would not survive. He underwent a procedure to remove part of his skull to allow the brain to swell without causing further damage. Doctors said there was a distinct possibility he would not survive the procedure.

I waited in the family waiting room for 6 hours for a procedure that was supposed to take 2. Scared he wouldn't make it but when I saw them bring him back to his room, I had some hope all was not lost.....but the damage was done.

Justin suffered a massive stroke that took out the entire left side of his brain. If you know anything about the brain, the left said is where all motor functions are controlled in most right handed people. Speech, comprehension, motor skills, gone.

Tuesday, August 31st we met with the medical team that worked with Justin. They had the gut wrenching task of telling us just how much damage was done and what Justin's future would be like should we keep him intubated and if anyone knows Justin you know it's not a life he would have wanted for himself.

Thursday, September 2nd, approximately 3 o'clock the tube was removed with the understanding that it was only a matter of time. Could be hours, could be days, it didn't matter, I was not going to leave his side. Still praying for a miracle about 8½ hours later he stopped breathing and was gone.

Even as I recall the events of the past 2 weeks, it doesn't seem real. Justin and I were together for 10½ years. We have our daughter. He was so happy to be a father. Everything he wanted to do with her and for her was all taken away.  I don't know if she will remember him since she's only 2 but I will make damn well sure she knows how much he loved her.  Unfortunately Justin didn't leave a will, nothing to apply to funeral costs, leaving the unexpected, expensive costs to family. His short time in the Navy didn't give him any benefits to funeral expenses.  I'm asking for help to eleviate the burden on his family. Any amount is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance.