On Dec. 18, 2021 my little cousin Brandon was in a near fatal car accident within blocks from his home in Sacramento.

First we would like to THANK the friends and family who have already supported Brandon's Road to Recovery.  Last month the family was receiving requests from people wanting to donate to assist in the out of pocket expenses the family was having.  The family is very appreciative and want you to know how much they appreciate you all.

It's been several weeks and we are now all coming to grips with the long term recovery Brandon will be experiencing.  The family continues to receive an overwhelming request on where they can assist with Brandon's Recovery.  This is when I stepped in and decided to start a Go Fund Me for the family.  This will allow Marissa and Jodi to focus on Brandon's recovery and I can assist by managing this page and reporting back to them.

 

My family is going through one of the worse nightmares you could ever imagine. Also to add additional stress, because of the hospital covid regulations they only allow TWO people for the duration of his hospital stay. As a family they had to decide which was best for Brandon and of the only two people that can be chosen we knew it had to be someone who could commit to being available 24/7. Brandon was no way able to make decisions on his own and we needed family there to watch his care. Brandon’s Fiance Marissa and Brandon’s mom Jodi who lives in Clovis, CA are his two limited visitors.

 

His injuries are very scary and he has a long road of recovery ahead of him. He sustained severe head trauma, skull and face fractures, fractured right shoulder, fractured 11 ribs on his right side, a liver laceration and multiple other injuries. Brandon was immediately taken to UC Davis Medical Center where he has undergone a suboccipital craniotomy, mastoidectomy and facial nerve decompression. He has a feeding tube and tracheotomy. He has right side facial paralysis and vocal cord paralysis. Unfortunately, after being released from ICU following his initial surgeries, he developed meningitis and hydrocephalus. This required a return to ICU, reopening his craniotomy site to wash out visible infection, the re-insertion of an EVD (external drainage & monitoring) and heavy antibiotics. Upon challenging the EVD for possible removal, it was determined that he needed a permanent shunt (drainage of excessive fluid from his brain to his abdomen), which led to additional surgery. He is responding very well to physical therapy and occupational therapy. He is working with speech therapy in hopes that he will regain his swallowing capacity and function of his vocal cords. Brandon will eventually go to acute rehab and upon release, him and Marissa will move in with Mom and Mike in Clovis, CA temporarily while he continues outpatient therapies and support.

 

Jodi and Marissa stay in close communication with his father, Steve, other close family members and regularly update "Brandon's Story", a private Facebook page. So we are all able to stay updated without burdening them.

 

Brandon and his entire family are extremely grateful for the love, support, prayers and financial gifts that they have received. It is too early to know exactly what kind of financial burden Brandon's accident will be. Thankfully, he has medical insurance but his current billing after insurance is approximately $10,000. Jodi stayed 39 nights at a hotel directly across the street from the hospital and has moved to RV hook ups located at The Kiwanis House a couple of blocks from the hospital. Daily parking is also very expensive for Marissa. All of these financial burdens are, of course, in tandem with loss of income for Brandon, Marissa and Jodi. For anyone who feels moved to help financially, please know it is so greatly appreciated. Any funds collected will help offset Brandon's medical expenses as well as provide some support for his caregivers.

 

Most importantly though, Brandon and his family ask that you continue to pray for Brandon's recovery! This has been a tragedy in so many ways and Brandon has a very long recovery ahead of him, but without a doubt we all know his progress has been aided by the loving spirit of so many who love him and offer their thoughts, prayers and positive energy so faithfully.