This Go Fund Me is not being set up by the request of our parents, for our parents declined many times to the idea a while back when many friends have asked about it. Many of you know that our parents are some of the hardest-working people ever! They are self-employed and have a hard time asking for and accepting help from others. With the many requests we are consistently getting, we have decided to put our pride aside and allow those who would like to help, help during this difficult time.

 

August 2021 our family experienced one of the toughest times in our lives. Both of our parents were hospitalized with COVID pneumonia. Our mom Janet was hospitalized on August 14th for 14 days and dad Steve was hospitalized on August 21st for 12 days. Mom returned home on oxygen on August 28th and dad returned home on oxygen on September 1st. While mom showed signs of improvement and recovery while being home (though still recovering - she still gets winded with activity and has a lingering cough), our dad did not show signs of improvement. After 2 weeks of being home, we were forced to bring him back to the ER for dropping O2 saturation levels and shortness of breath. They readmitted him on September 14th, this time into the ICU, for a bilateral bacterial infection in his lungs, a lung abscess, and pneumonia. From that point on, it has been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster, obstacle after obstacle, and complete chaos.

 

On Saturday, September 18th our fear came true and he was intubated and put on a ventilator. He was paralyzed for 6 days and heavily sedated for 3 weeks. During this time there were so many obstacles and challenges that he faced. He developed a blood clot in his leg and arm, was requiring high amounts of oxygen to the point where he was put on Nitric Oxide to try to boost his oxygen level. We were told if the nitric oxide did not work that there was nothing more they could do for him. He developed infection after infection, was retaining fluids which caused body swelling, and his heart was functioning at 30%. On October 7th he had a trach put in. Since we were having issues weaning him off the vent, the Drs said that oftentimes being on a trach allows them to be a bit more aggressive with the weaning process. We also thought that once he woke up, having a trach in his neck vs a tube down his throat would be much more comfortable for him. On October 22nd he had multiple micro strokes and 2 seizures. He is battling severe weight loss, weakness, and severe malnutrition. He also developed a very bad stage 4 bedsore on his tailbone early on which is causing him severe discomfort. They placed a wound VAC on October 30th.

 

After 48 days in the ICU, Steve was moved out of the ICU on November 1st onto the next floor and is slowly showing signs of improvement. He will require extensive rehab. He has to relearn how to swallow, eat, sit up, walk, etc all over again. His bedsore and severe malnutrition are definitely holding him back as he is severely weak and in pain. They recently changed his feeding tube formula to up the nutrients in hopes to put on weight and help with the healing of his sore. Steve has an extremely long road ahead of him and we are PRAYING every day that he will be able to be back home with us, where he belongs, very soon.

 

It's been a long 3 months and Steve has not been able to work since the beginning of August when he fell ill. He is the only one who bids work for their door company and work is drying up for he has not bid any work since he got sick August 11th. Paige is trying her best to learn and figure out how to do certain things to keep it afloat, but there is only so much she can do.

 

For those that have asked how they can help to relieve the burden and stress, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Our biggest ask is for your PRAYERS that Steve will get the strength to keep fighting and come home to us all soon!