Jeremy’s Journey

Hi, my name is Stefanie and I am Jeremy and Lauren’s sister-in-law. Most people that know Jeremy know him as the nicest guy that would give you the shirt off his back and the last dollar in his pocket. The rest of you know him as the Hamburglar or the guy in the chicken suit.

The last few years have been nothing short of tumultuous for our family. In March, 2016 Jeremy was diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis. He was septic and his heart had been destroyed. At the time, we were told that IF he made it through the night, he would be rushed in for open heart surgery the following morning, however his prognosis was not good and his chances of survival were slim. Of course he defied the odds and made it through and he continued to do so when the odds were stacked against him during his second, third and fourth open heart surgery, multiple sternal wound infections resulting in the removal of his sternum and 3 different pacemakers.

Just when we thought there was a light at the end of the tunnel he started having neurological problems, including multiple seizures, pachymeningitis, brain bleeds and 2 brain biopsies-all of which have finally been linked to an autoimmune disease caused by the initial endocarditis infection.

After 2 relatively quiet years, Jeremy went back to the hospital on Sunday, July 24th in hemorrhagic shock caused by an internal bleed. He is currently critically ill on a ventilator and dialysis fighting for his life in the ICU. It has already been 12 days with no end in sight as the doctors are still trying to get to the root of the problem so that they can find a way to help him.

We are raising funds to help Jeremy, Lauren and their 3 kids in their time of need and to help ease the burden during yet another traumatic event for our family. Expenses are beginning to accumulate, school is about to begin, and there will be additional unforeseen medical expenses in the future as this is not something that will ever just “go away.”

No donation is too small, any amount will help but If a monetary donation is not possible please share share share and help us help them. Most importantly, please continue to pray that he continues to beat the odds as he always does and makes it through this. His babies need him! Thank you!