Rallying Support for Ricky Watson

A week ago, my brother, Ricky Watson, should have been marrying the love of his life, Suzette Morrison in Panama City Beach, FL. Instead, the day before his wedding, Friday, October 9th, he was rushed to the emergency room. At that time, he tested positive for COVID-19 and had COVID Pneumonia, but then it was discovered that there was more than just the COVID. 

Once Ricky was admitted into the hospital Friday evening, additional tests were run as he had a rash on the outside of his face. On Saturday, his wedding day, as a family we waited in anticipation to find out what was going on. On Sunday, Ricky went in for his first surgery to explore his sinuses and to see what his medical team was facing. The first surgery left his medical team perplexed. More specialists were brought in and after several days and a biopsy result, it was determined that Ricky was fighting a fungus called Mucormycosis. This fungus stems from breathing it in. It comes from trees, soil, etc. We all at some point and time likely have breathed in a spore of this fungus, but those who are immune compromised, especially with diabetes (Ricky is diabetic) have a difficult time fighting it off.


This fungus in his sinuses is completely separate from the COVID. He is healing from the COVID a little every day. The fungus in his sinuses is what his medical team is focusing on right now. This morning as I type, Sunday October 18th, he has gone in for his 4th surgery in a week. Every time they go in for surgery they are working to remove the fungus and any tissue that the fungus has destroyed. Ricky’s surgeon has had to remove some bone within his face during some of the surgeries in order to fight it and help slow the spreading of the fungus until the antibiotics and surgical procedures destroy it. 


There have been many moving parts and everyday brings new updates and conversations on how to best provide care and a course of action to bring Ricky towards healing. His medical team believes that transferring Ricky to a larger hospital will benefit his treatment. We are currently praying that his surgeries will bring positive results in terms of the antibiotics working and that the transition of his transfer happens with ease and safely to get him the best care possible. 

It has been just over two months that we lost our father to COVID and now we are facing another hurdle. Ricky and Suzette have a long road ahead of them in terms of medical treatment, surgeries, potential travel expenses,  hotel expenses, keeping up with bills and other unforeseen things that may come. Your prayers WILL move mountains as only our God can! I have created this page as a way for friends, family or anyone that feels led to help support and ease the burden for Ricky and Suzette.

Thank you from the bottom my, Victoria Longo, and my family’s  hearts for your love, encouragement, support and prayers. We are forever grateful.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and mins through Jesus Christ.