Update, 6/12/23:

Dear friends and family,

I hope this message finds you all well. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has sent supportive emails, made phone calls, and provided financial assistance. Your gestures have made a significant difference to our family and, most importantly, to Grandpa Sonny.

I wanted to provide you with an update on my grandpa's progress since our last communication. Over the past four months, he has been on an incredible journey of resilience and determination while in the hospital and during his rehabilitation.

After spending almost 2 1/2 months in the hospital, he was transferred to a local rehab facility for three weeks. Unfortunately, he contracted Covid-19 there and had to be readmitted to the hospital for almost two weeks. Following his recovery from Covid-19 and further testing on his infection and wound vac pump in his chest, he returned to rehab for 10 days, around one and a half weeks. On April 14th, a significant milestone was achieved as my grandfather left rehab, though he walked slowly and cautiously with about 50% of his previous stamina. Walking was an accomplishment, considering the earlier doubts about his ability to walk normally.

However, after being home for two weeks, he unexpectedly had to go back to the emergency room. It was discovered that a second infection had been missed during his initial treatment, adjacent to the original wound vac incision. This infection had developed to be an inch deep and was the size of a golf ball, filled with infection and pus.

The medical team promptly removed the infected tissue and made a second incision, connecting it with the original incision from January 24th. Consequently, my grandfather now has one small wound that requires him to carry a wound vac machine 24/7 until it fully heals. The expected end date for this new healing process is approximately the end of June. He will be on various medications until at least August 1st. Additionally, he has been attending physical therapy sessions twice a week, with the goal of walking unassisted by August 1st.

It's hard to believe that his medical journey has already lasted over 4 ½ months. Despite the challenges, we remain hopeful for a full recovery, and his spirits are high.

Unfortunately, these unforeseen developments have resulted in additional expenses. I am immensely grateful for the support you have already provided over the past few months. Your contributions have made a significant difference in my grandfather's recovery journey. However, due to the extended timeline and the added financial burden, I humbly request each of you to kindly consider making a minor contribution once again on my grandfather's behalf.

For those of you who are fortunate enough to be in a position of abundance, I would be deeply grateful if you could contribute to my grandpa's ongoing medical expenses. Your generosity will directly impact his ability to receive the necessary care and support during this challenging time.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued kindness and support. Together, we can make a difference in my grandfather's recovery journey. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

With sincere appreciation,

Kyle Elliott (Grandson)

Original post:

Dear friends and family,

I am writing this GoFundMe page on behalf of my dear grandfather who needs our help. After a routine colonoscopy, he had no idea that fecal material had entered his bloodstream, which led to a rare infection that went undetected for 20 months. After treatment began, it was discovered the infection spread to his chest, and his clavicle. This required a special wound vac to help fight the infection directly around the bone, which he must continue for at least 4 more weeks. As a result, he has suffered greatly and has been in the hospital for 5 weeks so far.

He has just been released to rehab to regain his motor skills, but he is quickly running out of funds. One huge challenge is the suspicion of blood clots, with weakness to his right leg. He has no savings and is living on social security, which barely covers his living expenses. Rehab charges $200 a day, and he simply cannot afford it.

His situation is dire. He has lost 35 pounds since being admitted to the hospital, and malnutrition has set in. He has lost all stamina. He can barely walk, and has lost his motor skills. He was supposed to have 20 days of PT covered, however as of now, it looks like he may only get 18 or less. He needs our help to get back on his feet.

Considering the immense challenge of battling four life-threatening diseases at once, one doctor suggested he drop PT altogether in favor of hospice care. However, my grandfather is a warrior who is determined to continue PT and get back home. Following the link below shows some pictures capturing the fight he is battling in the hospital right now.

Sonny Elliott hospital pictures

After rehab, he will need to continue with clinical therapy and evaluations, and he has several medical bills to pay. He also needs dental work after losing a tooth due to a morphine reaction.

We hope to raise $30,000-$40,000 to cover his expenses, which will give him some breathing room as he recovers. We know that times are tough for everyone, but any amount helps, even if it's just a few dollars.

Our friend is a kind and generous soul who has dedicated his life to helping others. He volunteers to feed the homeless and home-bound, and he always has a smile on his face. Now it's our turn to help him. Please donate what you can and share this page with your friends and family.

Thank you for your support, and may you be blessed for your kindness.

Sincerely, his grandson,

Kyle Elliott