With what started as a fever, headaches, and a “viral infection,” on 6/22/25, Mason was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. At the time, he had 5 abscesses on his brain. Despite being on several strong antibiotics and antifungals, they continued to double in size and duplicate to over 17 abscesses. On 6/3, Mason had a right parietal craniotomy with a brain biopsy. After several days the cultures from the abscesses on his brain did not grow, which did not allow his medical team to pinpoint exactly how to treat the infection. On 6/6, the nursing staff became concerned with Mason’s arms. He developed DVTs in both arms from his PICC lines, which was treated with Lovenox. Although his medical team had not progressed to a more specific, pinpoint treatment plan due to the cultures not growing, Mason started working with PT and began feeling much better and more like himself, so he was discharged home on 6/10. Less than 24 hours after being home, Mason began to lose feeling in both legs and was rushed back to the ER. Further scans revealed that Mason developed a brain bleed where the biopsy was performed. Surgery was not felt necessary at the time, so he was monitored, and once determined stable, he was discharged home. Again. 6/14 he was home and feeling much better. Later that night, Mason hit his knees in pain and became very sick. He was rushed back to the ER and it was determined that he had an ulcer that perforated in his stomach and was rushed back to emergency surgery. Mason now has a wound vac, an NG tube, and a lot of pain related to both the surgery and the meningitis.

Mason is stable and doing better, but he is not out of the woods yet. He has a very long road to recovery. He will need extensive PT and many follow up visits to the specialists that are currently treating him. Mason is very worried about not being able to work, he is on FMLA, but it has not started yet. We need him to focus on healing and not his finances.

No amount is too small. Any and all donations and prayers are appreciated! ❤️‍