Rare Brain Disease Devastates Family at Christmas

My name is Maria and my brother, Aaron Aguillard—a life-long picture of health—was hospitalized this past November 11, 2023 (much of his time spent in the ICU) because of his sudden loss of memory and motor-skills. He STILL does not have a 100% known diagnosis. But from his lab results, MRI results, symptoms of non-responsiveness and arm-jerking, his doctors at The Texas Medical Center’s Houston Methodist Hospital highly suspect Aaron has a rare and fatal degenerative brain disorder called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which is hard to diagnose prior to death. The Neurology Specialists at Houston Methodist have told us there is nothing more they can do for Aaron. He is now in hospice care and breathing only 5-10 breaths per minute.

Aaron’s wife, Lauri, is struggling with the suddenness of her family situation and the mountain of difficulties weighing on her:

• Her youngest daughter recently completed six months of chemo treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

• Lauri’s dad, having had multiple strokes this year, was just sent home from LTAC care and remains in poor health.

• Lauri’s oldest daughter, with Lauri’s help, is in the middle of planning her wedding for this coming January.

• Both Aaron and Lauri’s life insurance policies expired earlier this year.

• Aaron only has six weeks of short-term disability and no long-term disability. They are a two-income family out of necessity. Lauri has had to take off time from work to be at the hospital and now is at Aaron’s side at the hospice facility.

• In addition to her medical expenses, travel to the Texas Medical Center and parking fees have been a burden.

• Lauri just finalized unexpected funeral arrangements for Aaron, knowing the time is near.

Lauri will use these generous funds to help her pay for Aaron’s medical and funeral expenses. Additionally, they will help with Lauri’s loss of Aaron’s income and her inability to work all the time given her circumstances.

I So Appreciate Your Generosity,

Maria