In May, 2023, Jesse had an exciting job opportunity to relocate from FL to SC. Work was going really well and he was settling in. Then, on the evening of September 12, he stopped into the grocery store after work. He was finding it difficult to walk around the store. His fatigue level had been spiking recently, and he was progressively finding it more difficult to breathe over that time, as well. He had been writing off the signs as just exhaustion from work and thinking maybe he was run down with a cold. While exiting the grocery parking lot that evening, and heading towards his car, he nearly collapsed in the parking lot. Thankfully, another customer who just pulled in next to him, checked up on him to make sure he was okay and helped get him into his vehicle.

The next morning, Jesse's doctor was able to see him and, after a quick evaluation, told him he needed to go to the ER. Once in the ER, they put him on oxygen and started running tests. One of these tests is a required Covid. And, it came back positive. (Despite making it thru the pandemic, getting the vaccine & boosters, needless to say this came as quite a shock.) Because he was so weak, finding it so difficult to breathe, and couldn't even take two steps without feeling like he was going to pass out, they did a full CT scan, which revealed he had three blood clots - two in his lungs and one in his arm. His heart was also enlarged. EKG's were ordered, and it was discovered that he also had mild congestive heart failure, with atrial flutter. So, treatment for this was also ordered. He was immediately put on the strongest medication to fight the Covid virus, and strong blood thinners to work on the clotting. Needless to say, they admitted Jesse into the hospital.

With Covid protocols in place, around the clock care, and the extensive testing that took place, Jesse was finally able to be discharged from the hospital on September 21st. However, at this point in time, he was not out of the woods yet. He's still very weak, needs oxygen 24/7, expensive meds to fight the blood clots, and the use of a walker to get around. Also, several follow up visits with a pulmonologist, cardiologist, and primary care are needed in the months to come.

Now, during his stay in the hospital, Jesse was in constant communication with his employer, providing health updates, and looking forward to healing and getting back to work. And then, on the morning of Sunday, 10/1, the day before he was scheduled to start working from home during his recovery, the General Manager called. Thinking that this was a call to check up on him, Jesse was told over the phone that they "no longer had any work for him and were letting him go". As the reality of this phone call set in, by severing his employment through no fault of his own and, just after he got out of the hospital, Jesse now realized that he lost his source of income, and, more importantly right now, the much-needed health insurance coverage. As if this wasn't a big enough shock, by being with the company under a year, he's ineligible for unemployment & FMLA. With no income right now, he's unable to pay full price for insurance in order to continue his critically needed health care, and struggling to stay afloat paying every day bills.

Jesse's background is in logistics & purchasing. He's still recovering, and while still needing oxygen, he is getting stronger every day and is rearing to go. If there is anyone in the upstate SC area, who has a job opportunity available for him, he would be grateful if you wanted to reach out, as well.

He has worked so hard his entire life and has always taken care of and helped others. He's the sweetest man I know, and is my heart & soul. He's never taken charity from anyone, but isn't too proud to ask for this desperately needed help now. I'm so hopeful that with the kindness & generosity from so many of you, he can get his medical bills paid, continue his ongoing treatment & care for the damage caused by Covid, and get back on his feet with this fresh start.

Thank you from the bottom of my (our) hearts.

C.C. (Jesse's Girl)