Support Toni's Family Through Medical Crises

Toni Mouton's son, Oni, was recently diagnosed with Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) syndrome which is a rare condition that results in an artery compressing the intestines against the aorta leading to partial or complete blockage of the small intestines. This syndrome has impacted Oni’s ability to eat and digest food properly. On Wednesday, May 28, Oni was admitted into Memorial Hermann hospital for treatment of his SMA syndrome.

Unfortunately, within 2 hours of Oni being admitted into Memorial Hermann hospital, Toni’s husband, Onezieme, experienced a very unexpected hemorrhaging stroke resulting in a massive brain bleed at the cerebellum while he was at home. Ambulances rushed Onezieme to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he underwent a 6-hour surgery to reduce the blood, pressure, and fluid on his brain. While the surgery accomplished its goals, Onezieme currently remains in a non-medically induced coma. He is receiving around-the-clock care in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at Memorial Hermann hospital and is getting tests completed daily to assess his condition. An MRI completed on Sunday, June 1 showed some damage to his brain stem. Currently while Onezieme remains in a coma, it is hard to determine his prognosis. Doctors have put a trach and feeding peg in Onezieme to sustain his life as we wait for the swelling in his brain to decrease.

Meanwhile, Oni is continuing to be monitored closely. He has an IV for fluids and a feeding tube for nourishment and the goal is weight gain to address his SMA syndrome. Doctors are gradually acclimating Oni’s body to the nutrition passing through his feeding tube, which is a very slow process. The amount served through the feeding tube is increased incrementally day by day. Oni will remain in the hospital until he is off his feeding tube and can take three solid meals a day by mouth.

As you can imagine, Toni is at a complete loss. While she is navigating Oni's recovery and waiting to see if Onezieme will come out of his coma, future decisions and financial matters are pulling for her immediate attention. Doctors have shared their reservations regarding Onezieme’s ability to return to work “as normal” should he wake up from his coma. Onezieme was self-employed and a successful architect, builder, creator, and entrepreneur. He was invested in a lot of wonderful projects simultaneously in both Louisiana and Houston. With Onezieme in a coma and unable to work, there is an immediate corresponding stop of income. However, the bills and loans for his business are looming with high interest rates and require prompt attention and payment. With the loss of Onezieme’s income, Toni is unable to manage Onezieme’s business, mortgage payments, medical costs and Oni’s LSU tuition on her own.

Toni and her family are grateful for the love and support that they have already received from friends and family through meal trains, gift cards, dog walking, hospital meals, hospital parking passes and more. So many of you have asked how you can continue to support the family. We have created this Go Fund Me page for Toni as another tangible way to help alleviate the financial strain of the next few months. Toni has a lot of really big financial decisions to make and your support would be invaluable.