Jon's Medical and Recovery Fund
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Jon had a brain aneurysm and is recovering... We need a few more helping hands and have turned to GoFundMe. Please let me take some of your time to tell you a bit more about Jon. He is a US Navy veteran who became a chef after his tours of duty as an EOD technician. He is still quite young being in his early forties and is full of fight and has many years ahead of him to spend with his children.
Jon and Angela are our friends. When we were expecting our first child they insisted that they cater our baby shower and refused any kind of payment. All the guests marveled at how wonderful the food was and insisted it was one of the best catered events they had ever attended.
Jon is well-respected at his job at a popular east coast grocer. He is a hard worker and has been with his employer for over fifteen years. On the morning of November 2nd, even though he mentioned he wasn't feeling well, he went to work like it was any other day. For a few days prior to this, he had mentioned feeling deeply fatigued to Angela. Not particularly abnormal for a father of two-year-old twins and a four-year-old. This particular day, while conducting an interview with a new employee, Jon uncharacteristically requested a break and moments later collapsed. Jon was flown by helicopter to the hospital where they discovered he had a brain aneurysm.
Jon has spent almost four weeks in a neurotrauma and neurocritical intensive care unit, with twenty of those days being in a medically induced coma. He underwent several surgeries to relieve pressure and drain blood from in his brain. He was pharmaceutically paralyzed in order to assist in his recovery. While confined to his bed he contracted pneumonia. With the odds stacked high against him, he woke up responsive. Remarkably twenty-four hours after regaining consciousness, he was able to give a thumbs up response to the amazed medical staff that cared for him. That thumbs up took all of his might but he made it happen. His immediate progress surprised the neuropsychology staff that confirmed it's extremely rare to see patients interacting so quickly after the degree of trauma he's suffered.
Jon’s progress has been exceptional but the road ahead is still very long and their family needs much support. Angela stays by his side every day to take care of him and encourage him in any way she can. She stays with him during his rehabilitation, putting everything on hold, including her career at the same grocer. She is juggling commuting to the hospital an hour away from their home, evenings with extended family, tending to their three small children and monitoring expenses all while trying to care for Jon after his trauma.
Two months later, Jon is able to move somewhat but is still unable to leave his hospital bed. He is able to understand conversations but currently unable to speak. He is communicating mostly by hand and face gestures. Jon is practicing breathing by closing the tracheotomy tube but he is unable to consistently breathe independently. Jon, the chef, who regularly celebrates life by sharing and entertaining with food is being fed through a feeding tube and hopes to share a meal with his loved ones again. As we write this, we learned that he has contracted pneumonia again in the last couple of days.
Anything you can give to help is greatly appreciated, help him and his family to keep moving forward on all fronts. There will be a number of medical expenses and basic need expenses that will be challenging to manage during this time. Jon is also stubborn and tough enough to do everything it takes to get back on his feet, literally. We need to help Jon get back to life outside of a hospital not only for him but for his children and Angela and so that he can continue to bring his kindness and happiness to his loved ones that are praying for his recovery.
Jon and Angela are our friends. When we were expecting our first child they insisted that they cater our baby shower and refused any kind of payment. All the guests marveled at how wonderful the food was and insisted it was one of the best catered events they had ever attended.
Jon is well-respected at his job at a popular east coast grocer. He is a hard worker and has been with his employer for over fifteen years. On the morning of November 2nd, even though he mentioned he wasn't feeling well, he went to work like it was any other day. For a few days prior to this, he had mentioned feeling deeply fatigued to Angela. Not particularly abnormal for a father of two-year-old twins and a four-year-old. This particular day, while conducting an interview with a new employee, Jon uncharacteristically requested a break and moments later collapsed. Jon was flown by helicopter to the hospital where they discovered he had a brain aneurysm.
Jon has spent almost four weeks in a neurotrauma and neurocritical intensive care unit, with twenty of those days being in a medically induced coma. He underwent several surgeries to relieve pressure and drain blood from in his brain. He was pharmaceutically paralyzed in order to assist in his recovery. While confined to his bed he contracted pneumonia. With the odds stacked high against him, he woke up responsive. Remarkably twenty-four hours after regaining consciousness, he was able to give a thumbs up response to the amazed medical staff that cared for him. That thumbs up took all of his might but he made it happen. His immediate progress surprised the neuropsychology staff that confirmed it's extremely rare to see patients interacting so quickly after the degree of trauma he's suffered.
Jon’s progress has been exceptional but the road ahead is still very long and their family needs much support. Angela stays by his side every day to take care of him and encourage him in any way she can. She stays with him during his rehabilitation, putting everything on hold, including her career at the same grocer. She is juggling commuting to the hospital an hour away from their home, evenings with extended family, tending to their three small children and monitoring expenses all while trying to care for Jon after his trauma.
Two months later, Jon is able to move somewhat but is still unable to leave his hospital bed. He is able to understand conversations but currently unable to speak. He is communicating mostly by hand and face gestures. Jon is practicing breathing by closing the tracheotomy tube but he is unable to consistently breathe independently. Jon, the chef, who regularly celebrates life by sharing and entertaining with food is being fed through a feeding tube and hopes to share a meal with his loved ones again. As we write this, we learned that he has contracted pneumonia again in the last couple of days.
Anything you can give to help is greatly appreciated, help him and his family to keep moving forward on all fronts. There will be a number of medical expenses and basic need expenses that will be challenging to manage during this time. Jon is also stubborn and tough enough to do everything it takes to get back on his feet, literally. We need to help Jon get back to life outside of a hospital not only for him but for his children and Angela and so that he can continue to bring his kindness and happiness to his loved ones that are praying for his recovery.
Organizer and beneficiary
Donna Rilee
Organizer
Sterling, VA
Angela Cortes
Beneficiary
