Support Zach's Journey to Recovery

Zach is a loving husband, caring father, and all-around awesome person. On September 10th he had heart surgery and experienced many complications. He has ongoing health challenges, including dialysis. These funds will help his family during a time when he needs support until he can return to work.

As of October 6th Zach is in a rehabilitation facility in Clermont- we're hopeful that he will be able to return home in upcoming days. Please feel free to leave encouraging messages!

Thank you to everyone for their loving thoughts and prayers, this fundraiser is a result of everyone's kind messages and requests to assist. Zach isn't the type of person to ask for this type of help, but his recovery will be much longer than originally anticipated.

Below is an update from Julia from September 23rd with details on his experience:

On Saturday morning (9/23) Zach Pilk woke up after being sedated and on a ventilator almost 11 days.

His original surgery (9/10) was expected to be anywhere from 3-5 hours, it lasted almost 11 hours. He was one of the first patients in the OR and the last one out.

Thursday(9/12) morning it was determined that he had some bleeding from the surgery and would need to go back into the OR. Surgeons were able to make some stitches, and the bleeding stopped. However, during closing he had fluid build up on his lungs.

Friday night/ Saturday (9/13-14)morning it was determined Zach had pneumonia. Got him antibiotics and had to wait to see how he did.

Tuesday (9/16)they tried a second attempt at extubation, unfortunately after only being extubated for 20 mins he had to be reintubated, and taken to a CT scan(he stopped responding).

Wednesday (9/17) we decided that he needed to get a tracheotomy, to start the process of getting him off sedation.

Wednesday night/ Thursday (9/17-18)something seemed off to the doctors and myself. He got hit with a second round of pneumonia. Started antibiotics again and waited to see when he would start waking up.

On Saturday (9/21) morning I walked into his room and he was awake. Asking for ice chips. I was stunned to say the least. He’s still asking for ice chips, but unfortunately due to the extensive intubation and tracheotomy that will not be possible a for a little while longer.

We will remain in Gainesville for a while longer, but the care he has been receiving has been exceptional.

Zach misses our girls terribly, but they have been on their own adventure with the grandparents and cousins.

He is so thankful for all the love and prayers he’s been receiving over the last two weeks, keep them coming ❤️❤️

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