Supporting Tony Cerrone’s Recovery

Your life CAN change in the blink of an eye.  Many of you are aware that on September 30, 2020, Tony Cerrone was hit at full force by a vehicle.  He was out for a ride on his bicycle.  He suffered blunt force trauma, he was unresponsive, and an ambulance was sent for quickly.  Several kind folks stopped and waited along with the person that hit him.  He was admitted to Phoebe Putney and was quickly moved into the CCU.  His initial prognosis was not very encouraging, and he was fighting for his life.  The injuries were severe – scattered hemorrhage, intracranial edema, multiple neurological deficits, bilateral pneumothorax, multiple rib and spine fractures, pulmonary contusion, aspiration pneumonia, the list goes on and on.  He also developed blood clots which were possibly life threatening.  His stay at Phoebe lasted 13 days, 7 of which were in the CCU/ICU.  Hester, Maria and Marisa were able to visit him but, visitation was limited due to COVID.  They have been so encouraged by all the love and support that they have received from friends and family. 

Thankfully, he was accepted into the Shepherd Center, they are experts in these types of brain and spinal injuries.  He was moved to Atlanta Shepherd Center on October 13, 2020.  Shepherd only currently allows one family or friend with a patient, and they don’t allow them to come and go due to the pandemic.  Hester had to make the heart wrenching decision to either go with him and leave Maria by herself or stay home and send Tony to Shepherd alone.  For the Cerrones, family is everything.  After being at Shepherd for two and a half weeks, Hester decided that she needed to go and be with him to aid in his recovery.  Maria and Marissa have been surrounded by family and friends and while it has been so difficult being separated, they know that Hester is where she needs to be.

Yesterday marked two months since the injury.  Hester nor Tony are able to work currently.  Tony receives speech, physical and occupational therapy every day except for Sunday.  He is amazingly able to walk unassisted for the most part.  His neurological deficits have improved and his body is healing.  God is the great physician and has really worked miracles in Tony’s recovery.  There are many milestones still to cross.  On December 2, 2020 Tony will get to come home for a few days and then will move into outpatient rehabilitation at Shepherds Pathway program in Atlanta.  They are estimating that he will need to stay there for another month.  This is three months of daily/weekly continued medical assistance.  Hester will have to go with Tony for the outpatient program as he has to be driven to the facility every day.  We are trusting in the Lord and we believe that Tony will make a complete recovery. 

We ask that you consider a contribution to assist the Cerrones in their expenses.  If you know the Cerrone family, you know that they didn’t want to ask for help.  They are the ones who help others!! Tony is always the one to help a friend in need.  Hester is the first to volunteer when there is a need with anyone she knows.  However, we all know that medical leave runs out and the bills continue to come in. Three months in medical facilities and then whatever ongoing medical support that Tony will have to have is overwhelming.  We thank God that Tony is a fighter and that he was so physically and mentally strong at the time of the injury.  It has been the toughest of days and with buckets and buckets of tears and gnashing of teeth that the Cerrones have continued this fight.  The prayers and support of co-workers, friends, family, neighbors and acquaintances has kept them sustained and encouraged.  The Cerrones wish to express their humble appreciation for everyone’s love and support.