Dearest family and friends—
Hello, we are Autumn Rindels and Jessica Clark. We are both longtime family friends of the Sundviks.
First off, the family thanks everyone who has been praying, sending healing thoughts, and checking in. To say the Sundvik family’s lives have been stressful and overwhelming since December 7 would be an understatement.
So many people have asked how they can help. In the earliest days, there was little to do while Cindy focused on healing and Gary remained in the ICU. As time has passed and a clearer path forward has emerged, the family now has a better understanding of what support is needed most.
The family initially chose not to start a GoFundMe while they worked through the first stages with insurance. Unfortunately, as time goes on, less of Gary’s care is being covered. This campaign is being created to support the family and help ensure Gary can receive the best care possible as he continues his healing journey.
Funds raised will go toward current hospital bills, his post-acute rehabilitation stay, and the additional therapies and services he will need. While the total cost will exceed what this campaign can provide, your contribution will give the family much-needed financial runway and help relieve some of the pressure as they continue to advocate for Gary’s recovery.
Every bit truly helps. Please consider donating if you’re able—and sharing this page with anyone who may want to support this family we love so much. A recap of Gary and Cindy’s story is below, and updates can be found on Gary’s CaringBridge page: https://www.caringbridge.org/site/1dea8b8e-f7f4-11f0-903a-0534e36f416e
What happened:
On December 7, Cindy contracted salmonella and quickly became very ill. By December 12, she was hospitalized as the infection worsened—leading to kidney failure and sepsis as it spread to her blood, colon, and stomach. After a difficult 10 days, she was discharged and continued her recovery at home with IV antibiotics and in-home nursing care.
During Cindy’s hospital stay, Gary also became ill and was suspected to have contracted salmonella. He went to the ER on December 19 but was discharged the same day. While recovering at home, his condition continued to decline, and he began acting unlike himself. The family closely monitored him for dehydration and other complications Cindy had experienced—until everything changed suddenly.
On December 26, Gary suffered a brain aneurysm and a stroke. He was admitted to the ICU, placed in a medically induced coma, and had a drain inserted to relieve swelling in his brain. He remained in the ICU for 31 days while his family anxiously waited for updates. During that time, they learned how severe the stroke and resulting damage were. And yet, Gary continued to show small signs of progress each day—enough to keep hope alive. The family took things hour by hour, making the best decisions they could with the information they had.
After 31 days, Gary was stable enough to be transferred to an acute care hospital in San Diego. He remained in a coma for several more days, initially showing only occasional responses. Then, gradually, things began moving in a positive direction. Gary started following simple commands—giving a thumbs up, nodding his head, opening his eyes more consistently, and tracking people around the room. With the help of a respiratory team, he also began breathing on his own for longer stretches each day.
Soon, his progress accelerated. Gary is now fully awake. He has a speaking valve so he can communicate, he is answering questions, recognizes loved ones, can eat on his own, and is working toward having his trachea and feeding tube removed. Little by little, he is also regaining movement in different parts of his body.
While this progress is incredible, there is still a long road ahead. Gary will remain under 24/7 medical care for now, with the goal of moving to a post-acute rehabilitation facility soon. Doctors have encouraged the family to advocate strongly for his care, emphasizing how critical the right facility—and intensive therapy—will be to his recovery. The hope is that, in time, Gary will be able to return home and continue rehabilitation surrounded by family.
Gary has fought unbelievably hard and continues to surprise everyone—especially his doctors—with his resilience and progress. He is a miracle in every sense. His family has been by his side every single day, dedicating themselves to supporting him through this journey while also coordinating with his care team, navigating insurance, and planning the path ahead.
Please consider donating to help relieve some of this burden and support Gary’s ongoing care and recovery. Thank you for loving the Sundvik family so well.