Hi, my name is Tom Pitzer and my cousin Ted Pitzer and his wife Michelle and two boys: Simon and Sammy, need your prayers and help for Ted's recovery. Growing up, Ted was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which is a disease where the heart muscles become thick and make it harder to pump blood.

In 2017, Ted suffered a stroke which impacted his career, and he has never been able to return to a full-time job. He had to learn to speak again, drive again, and many of his childhood memories which the rest of us hold dear, were gone. He has had numerous hospitalizations since then in addition to being diagnosed with AFib and CHF.

Last Wednesday, Ted suffered a stroke that was much more severe. His wife Michelle discovered him in the laundry room and immediately noticed the signs of a stroke. He was quickly taken to the local hospital but then air-lifted to VCU where doctors removed a large clot on the right side of his brain. They also discovered more clots, and he has had two more surgeries, one on his leg and one on his stomach. He has developed pneumonia, and he aspirated while on a ventilator. In the last week, he has had countless CT scans, MRIs, and life-saving drugs administered to save his life. He will also need additional surgeries soon. The ventilator was removed, and he has been placed on a bi-pap.

For the past year, Ted has been working part-time at Crumbl. After his brain surgery last week, he woke up and the first thing he wrote was Crumbl. He was worried no one called them to let them know he wasn't able to come into work. That is the kind of guy Ted is, always caring about others.

Ted's recovery will be long-term for him and his family. He will most likely not be able to return home to his boys and Michelle and have to live in a Rehabilitation Facility, possibly a nursing home while modifications to their house are made for his long-term care. They will have numerous medical bills, renovation expenses, and this will impact their lives indefinitely.

Ted and Michelle married in 2010 and have two beautiful boys Simon-9 and Sammy turning 6 in April. This unexpected medical emergency has been extremely difficult on Michelle, the boys, and Ted's immediate and extended family. Michelle owns and operates her Daycare and has had to return to work while Ted has been in the hospital. The boys have been brave but desperately miss their dad and wish him to return home as soon as he can.

Ted is an incredible dad and devoted husband; he is funny, caring, smart, and the guy that would lift you up and make you smile in your darkest moment. Ted would never ask anyone for anything, but I am asking for help lifting him and his family. Personally, Ted has always been there for me, we grew up two blocks apart and only separated in age by 4 months. He was my cousin second and my best friend first, he honored my mom by speaking at her funeral, he drove from Massachusetts to my high school graduation because he made a promise 2 years earlier when his family moved from Scottdale, was at my wedding, and done so much more for me and everyone. Anything you can donate will go directly to Ted's care, Michelle, and the boys.