Most people know my Dad as Tom or Andy, a man that can sometimes look intimidating from far away, but up close is nothing short of a teddy bear. He is hard working, loyal, and determined. He is a husband to my mother Lucy, a father to three adult children Jessica, Bianca, and Michael, and a grandfather to five grandchildren. He is beloved by all who work with him and have befriended him.

On Saturday, September 25th my Dad was admitted to Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix due to a disease that is causing constant seizures. Because these seizures were so consistent for so long, he is now partially blind on his left eye, struggles with memory, and can not get around on his own. As his condition rapidly worsens he loses more physical and cognitive abilities. The doctors caring for him believe that the cause may be a disease known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, fatal brain disorder that causes neurological symptoms and mental deterioration. They are opting to do a biopsy of the brain to confirm their suspicions and give us more definitive answers as to what is causing him to decline so quickly.

The last few weeks have already put a strain on our families physically, emotionally, and financially. We have all struggled just so that we are able to spend as much time with my dad as possible, simply because we are unsure of the amount of time we will have with him. However, the bills and financial strain this has put on my mother is substanial being that my father provided the majority of the income for their household.

The testing and procedures that my dad has already needed up to this point have been numerous and expensive. What you provide will go toward the cost of medical expenses for my dad, living expenses for my mom and any other necessary cost related to my dad's condition. If you are able to help, my family would greatly appreciate your blessings, as well as your prayers.

This is a very difficult time for our family, but we are still hopeful that the doctors will be able to identify what he has and be able to treat him. The reality of this is difficult to process, but we are relying on the Lord for a miracle and comfort.

We will do our best to update you on his condition as we know more. Thank you for your donations and for your compassion for our family.

Update 10/19/24: Dad is still in critical condition and more testing is needed. The doctors are doing all they can to help understand what is happening, but it is taking longer than what we had hoped. The brain biopsy surgery is still on the table, but has not been performed yet. They are exhausting all other exploratory measures before resorting to the biopsy as it is extremely invasive. Thank you to everyone who has donated! We are so grateful! There aren't words to express what this is doing for our family.