On October 13, after battling COVID while isolating at home our father Robert Drake was transported by ambulance to Batavia Hospital because he needed life saving intervention due to his severe illness. Upon arrival it was determined that he was in grave condition and the protocol for the treatment of COVID began immediatly. While he was in Batavia Hospital he was cognitive and comcommunicating via text with myself and other members of our family via text, as per protocol he was not allowed visitors. He, and we felt confident that treatment was working and were hopeful that he would recover. However it became obvious that his lungs were not able to do their job and his oxygen levels were dropping daily. Due to this he had to be placed on a ventilator or face certain death. Chosing life, he agreed. He reached out to his children to let them know that the situation had become an emergency for the second time and the decision was made to immediately place him on the vent. He told us all that he would not be able to talk to us, that he loved us all and to continue to pray for him, and each other.

After being placed on the ventilator he was transferred by mercy flight to Rochester General hospital where he could receive the treatment he needed to accommodate the machine as Batavia was not equipped to do so.

At first, we were still hopeful that he was improving, but a week into treatment we were told that the machine was not working as it should, that in order to heal his lungs needed rest. At that point he was placed on the ECMO machine which takes his blood and filters it before circulating it back through his body. An artificial lung / Heart so to speak. Again the treatment provided hope that he could still recover. If you know Bob Drake, you know he's a fighter and stubborn as a mule and He continues to hold his own, despite all his body is going through.

Countless medications changes..blood transfusions..pneumothorax..blood clots and now a very deadly, progressive invasive fungal infection that is making an already dyer situation much worse. Yesterday after 10 days at Rochester General we were informed that his condition continued to deteriorate and despite the best efforts of those caring for him that we as a family should prepare for his passing as they were out of treatment options. Their hope was lost and there was nothing more that could be done to save his life.

In that moment myself and my siblings made the decision that dispite the odds, our hope was not yet lost at the possibility of him surviving and requested to pull out all the stops, willing to explore all avenues before giving up. How do you give up on someone you love? Our father as previously mentioned had no give up in him and instilled that same quality in us.

Armed with the fierce conviction of knowing God is good and merciful we asked for him to be given the experimental medication ivamectin as a last ditch effort of saving his life. If you were being told you were unequivocally going to die regardless what would it hurt? We have repeatedly been told no, that it doesn't work..its not approved for the treatment of his illness etc..however We have seen this treatment work. There are countless stories emerging showing turn around for patients that were gravely Ill, on life support and having been given "every treatment available" that have miraculously recovered after their treatment with this medication. If it were your parent, your wife..child or brother would you not want to try every thing within your power to save them? Would you just bow your head and give in without being able to say to yourself that you tried every thing?

Due to certain regulations we now have had to resort to obtaining legal help to obtain a court order compelling those in charge of his care to administer this medication. Our dad is running out of time. Every single day his condition worsens. I, we can not convey the urgency that we feel in our hearts.

We as intelligent people understand that as with all of the treatment he has already received that there is a chance that this will not work either..but as his children, the youngest of whom is just 16 and our father being her sole provider and care giver are on our knees begging for your help.

Our father worked so hard. 7 days a week to make ends meet and ensure that he could continue to provide that same support not only to her, but to anyone that ever needed a dollar or a couch to crash on.

If in the event that our efforts are in vain we still will be tasked with sorting a mountain of financial obligations, funeral arrangements and the duty of picking up where he left off by providing for and taking responsibility for the youngest of us.

None of which can be accomplished without your help.

I know he would do the same for any one of us. I know he would do the same for a stranger.

Please, no contribution is to small and we will be forever grateful to anyone who's heart compels them to offer support.

Sincerely

his children,

Heather Dawn

Shannon

Amanda

Angel

Robert

Courtney

Brandon

Breanna

As well as his mother, siblings and family