Help Josh and His Family Survive Severe Pancreatitis

Our 26 year old nephew, Josh, has been in the hospital since January 9th with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis — not only is this condition a mouthful, we've unfortunately had to learn how terribly this disease can wreak havoc on even a young body. Josh's life has come to a complete standstill. Unfortunately there are no quick fixes or high tech surgeries to tackle his pancreatitis either. The best treatment includes weeks to months in the hospital giving supportive care, antibiotics, and waiting for his body to fight off the infection and inflammation. Eventually, he may need surgery to clean out infected and dead tissue. But we are far from that point.

Josh is currently in the ICU on a ventilator. Not only is he fighting for his life, but bills still need to be paid. He will be out of work for at least the next few weeks, maybe the next few months. We're setting up this GoFundMe to help him and his support network have the necessary safety net to wait this out. Family and friends have already gathered around him and his loved ones, but we hope this can reach even more people who care about Josh. We are praying that he can pull through this, but so far it has been a day-by-day situation.

Your donation will help cover Josh's ongoing responsibilities, upcoming medical bills, and assist his transition back to his new normal. While we are in uncertain territory, several doctors have told us the hospital part is "the easy part," meaning that the hardest battle for Josh will come once he is able to get off the ventilator, wake back up, and begin regaining his strength. Even under the best of circumstances at this point, Josh has a very long road ahead of him with potential future surgeries and long-term medical care. Your donation would massively help him and his family in the coming months.

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Josh's support system includes his girlfriend, Elise, and their precious little girl, Everly; his mother, Melissa who has been on a leave of absence from teaching to sit at his bedside for the last month; his sister, Megan; and his extended family and friends. This family has already been through so much with the loss of Josh and Megan's dad, Ed, in 2018, but they have come together and made many positive strides.

Thank you.

Lisa Serpas and Sarah Serpas (Josh's Aunts)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" - Joshua 1:9

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11