Hi, my name is LaRiea Thompson. I’m raising funds for my son Bryce for unexpected medical expenses.

Imagine, as a parent, seeing your healthy grown son in the ICU, intubated, on kidney dialysis and 15 bags of IV’s attached just to keep him alive, and not being to do a thing about it.

How did this happen?

On December 11th, 2022, Bryce came out to Elbert for a family dinner and brought Chinese food. He was his normal self when visiting us. However, once he got back to his apartment, he felt like he was sick to his stomach. During that night he became ill and continued into the morning with worsening symptoms.

At 10:30am, on Monday the 12th, Bryce called us at home and said he was extremely sick. We ate the same Chinese food and were fine. That led us to believe it was not food poisoning. My husband, Brad, immediately left with the thought of taking him to urgent care. When he arrived, Bryce was unable to move and was catatonic. Brad called 911. Fortunately, he lives only five minutes from Sky Ridge Hospital.

Once at the ER, they identified his organs were shutting down and his condition was worsening. He was immediately admitted to the ICU, where he fought for his life for three weeks before his organs began functioning again. The diagnosis wound up being an infection of Strep A that got into his blood from the colon. He became septic and went into renal failure. It is thought that he may have had Colitis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the colon causing the infection and a loss of blood supply in the colon wall.

Bryce underwent laparotomy (abdominal) surgery on December 13th, a day after he was admitted to the hospital. He received a temporary Ostomy, to give his colon area a break and to allow the doctors to diagnose his condition. It is reversible, which means another surgery within the next six months.

His surgeon stated that in his 28 years as a doctor, he had never seen something like this in a 26-year-old male. The biggest advantage Bryce had was his age!

Every day we looked for just one positive improvement in his vitals. It was heart-wrenching. Bryce has a strong will to live, and we believe all the positive thoughts and prayers made a difference!

After a battle for his life, Bryce was discharged on January 11th. He spent three weeks in ICU and one week in a regular hospital room. In that time, he lost 25 lbs. and a great deal of his strength. The road to recovery is now underway. The doctors are pleased with his progress. He is currently in physical therapy and getting stronger day by day.

We are so blessed to have our son alive and on the road to recovery. As you may imagine the cost of one month in the hospital is astronomical. He hopes to be healthy and strong enough to go back to work by the beginning of March.

This economy is challenging enough without an emergency. We are looking for help in covering his medical bills and living expenses for three months.

We greatly appreciate all the support and love our son has received thus far and would be so very grateful for any monetary support you can provide.

Most Sincerely,

Brad and LaRiea Thompson