My younger brother R.J. had a seizure on February 27th. He was rushed to Ft. Myers, but there was no bed available for him, so he was transferred to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton, Florida. Once there, we learned that he had a blood clot on his shunt and a serious infection in his brain caused by the clot. The doctors had to remove his shunt, and now R.J. is sedated while they wait for the infection to clear up. The doctors have told us this could take up to a month, and it has been a very stressful and uncertain time for our family.

Both of our parents are staying near the hospital so they can be with R.J. every day. They have to rent a motel room week by week, just ten minutes from the hospital, to make sure they can be there for him as much as possible. The hospital does not allow overnight visitors, so the only time they leave is when visiting hours are over. The costs of the motel, gas for travel, and food are adding up quickly. Their room has a fridge and microwave, which helps them save money by preparing meals instead of eating out, but it is still a big financial strain.

Every little bit helps my parents keep their room and stay close to R.J. during this difficult time. He is very special to us, and having our parents nearby means the world to him and our family. We are grateful for any support, big or small, as it helps them remain by his side while he recovers.