Jaelynn Johnson, my granddaughter, has been fighting a respiratory illness for the past month. It began with costochondritis, which caused her great pain. While recovering, she developed pneumonia and was treated twice with antibiotics and steroids. The fever and chills would improve for a short time, but would return. She also developed a harsh cough that would not be relieved by anything. On Easter Sunday, April 4th, 2026, she developed a high temperature and was taken to the ER. A CAT scan revealed massive consolidations in her lower lung, indicating pus, fluid, and inflammatory debris filling the air sacs. The physician stated it was either an empyema or an abscess. She was transferred to the cardiac stepdown unit, where a pulmonologist arranged for a chest tube to be placed and drained a large amount of fluid and pus from her lung. Antibiotics were instilled into the chest tube with a two-hour dwell time to kill bacteria. She also received high-dose antibiotics. Culture results named the culprit as Strep. She remains hospitalized and is awaiting discharge tentatively on Monday or Tuesday. After discharge, her follow-up care will include receiving antibiotics IV at home for three to four more weeks.

Jaelynn is a self-employed eyelash technician, and if she doesn't work, she doesn't get paid. Any donated funds will be used to assist her with rent, utilities, groceries, medicine, medical bills, animal care, and other basic needs. This has been a financially impactful situation for our family, and we are doing what we can to support her during this difficult time.

Jaelynn is thankful for the many clients and friends who have wished her well. I have often donated to GoFundMe accounts to help others, so I thought I would give this a try for her. Her mother and I are doing what we can; however, this has been a financially impactful situation. If you feel led to donate, please do—any amount will be appreciated. If you cannot donate, please send prayers, good thoughts, or positive vibes her way. This has been a stressful month for our family; Saturday before Easter, we laid my 36-year-old nephew to rest, and then the next day Jaelynn was admitted. Thank you for anything. God bless you.