Support for Sean and Courtney Gilliam

Early Friday morning (November 15th) Sean, Courtney and Faye were all in bed sleeping. Courtney heard a loud noise and thought Sean was snoring. She nudged him but didn’t get a response. She ran to his side of the bed and found that he wasn’t breathing. He started to turn blue and his heart had completely stopped. Courtney called 911 and the operator walked her through CPR. As the first responders arrived, they used a defibrillator to start his heart and continued administering CPR. Soon after, he was air lifted to Boulder Community Hospital where they determined he had a cardiac arrest.  

After arriving in the ER, Sean was placed in a medically induced coma to prevent any further tissue damage and let his brain ‘rest’. The beginning of the 3rd day they brought Sean out of the coma and he was breathing on his own! He also acknowledged Courtney and remembered family. Sean was perplexed as to what happened and he had absolutely no memory of what took place.

After scans and MRI’s, doctors concluded that Sean most likely experienced a lethal arrhythmia and this caused the cardiac arrest. After much discussion the cardiologist advised a pacemaker/defibrillator combo device be implanted. This device will first try to pace the heart, but provide a shock if the heart were to stop again. Many have indicated Sean’s recovery and survival is nothing short of a miracle.

Both Sean and Courtney are self employed; Sean being the main income. Both of their incomes are based on their work completed. Because of this, support is needed as soon as possible. Since the surgery, the doctors told him he can’t drive for the next 6 months. Driving is a huge part of the way he makes his income.

The funds received will help Sean and Courtney pay their bills, mortgage, health insurance and other medical expenses as they come in.

Sean and Courtney will need continued prayer. They will now  lean into this new stage of life that will offer some challenges. It will be temporary as Sean recovers, but a challenge nonetheless. 

Due to ongoing expenses and some loss of work, Sean and Courtney could greatly use any financial support you would be able to provide. With a huge heart felt thanks, our family feels so blessed for you and those that have asked how they can help. Thank you!